Taking a Christmas Break as a Female Service-Based Micro Business Owner: Why It's Hard, But Necessary

Ah, Christmas. A time for festive cheer, cosy nights in with loved ones, and... stressing about work? As a female service-based micro business owner, it can be tough to switch off and truly enjoy the holiday season. After all, when you're the boss, the buck stops with you. And let's be real, taking a break can feel like a luxury you can't afford - especially when you're not getting paid holiday time.

But here's the thing: taking a break is not only necessary for your own well-being, but also for the health of your business. When you're running on fumes, you're not doing your best work. And when you're not doing your best work, your business suffers.

The Pressure is Yours, But That's a Good Thing

As a solo business owner, any deadline or pressure is yours to manage. While that can be scary, it's also liberating. You don't have to work to someone else's agenda; you get to set your own pace. And that means you can choose to take a break whenever you need to.

Flexibility is Why We Started This Journey

Let's not forget why many of us chose to set up our own businesses in the first place: for the flexibility to spend time with loved ones, pursue our passions, and live life on our own terms. So, take a deep breath and remember that it's okay to take a step back. Your business will still be there when you return, and you'll come back refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.

It's Okay to Make it a 'January Problem'

As the year draws to a close, it's tempting to try and tick off every last task on your to-do list. But be honest with yourself: what can really wait until January? Challenge yourself to prioritise only the essentials, and let the rest go. Remember, it's okay to make something a 'January problem' if it's not critical to your business.

Use the Downtime to Get Organised

The last few days before Christmas are a great time to tackle admin tasks, clear out your inbox, and get your systems in order. It's not the time for 'deep focus' work, but rather for tidying up loose ends and setting yourself up for success in the new year. Just saying, doing admin with a Baileys in hand is a perfectly acceptable way to spend an afternoon.

An Hour Spent Now Will Pay Dividends in January

So, what can you do to make the most of your Christmas break? Here are a few tips:

• Set your priorities: Take a few minutes to think about what needs to be done before you take a break, and what can wait until January. Focus on the essentials, and let the rest go.

  
  

• Set your out-of-office: Make sure your clients and customers know when you'll be unavailable, and when they can expect to hear back from you. This will help manage their expectations and reduce stress for everyone.

  
  

• Plan your first week back: Take a look at your diary for the first week of January and plan out what it looks like. Knowing what you're coming back to can help reduce the fear and make the transition back to work smoother.

By taking a little time to prepare now, you'll be able to truly relax and enjoy your Christmas break. And when you return to work, you'll be refreshed, revitalised, and ready to take on whatever the new year brings.

We hope that all of you get a well and truly deserved break and here’s to 2025!