Taking a proper break can feel difficult when you run your own business. Many freelancers and small business owners worry about lost income, client expectations, or the pressure to stay available. Yet rest is essential if you want to stay productive, creative, and healthy.
The Christmas period, or the general winter break and New Year if you do not celebrate Christmas, offers a natural pause where many clients slow down. This makes it the perfect time to step back, recharge, and prepare for the year ahead.
Here is how to take time off with confidence and protect your wellbeing without damaging your client relationships.
Plan Your Break Early
Planning ahead helps you take time off without stress. Decide the dates you want to take off and block them out in your diary. When you set clear boundaries, it becomes easier to switch off and enjoy the break.
If you work in a sector that becomes quieter in December or early January, match your break with these slower periods. Many clients pause projects over the holidays, which makes it easier for you to do the same.
Communicate with Clients in Good Time
Clear communication is the key to a smooth winter break. Let your clients know your plans with plenty of notice. A simple message that confirms your last working day, your return date, and how urgent matters will be handled is usually all they need.
Most clients will appreciate the clarity. Many of them will also be taking time off, so aligning your break with theirs means you are less likely to miss anything important.
Set Expectations and Boundaries
You do not need to be fully available during your break. If you feel more comfortable checking in occasionally, set defined times for this. For example, you might check emails once every two or three days. If you do not want to check in at all, set an out of office message that tells clients when they can expect a reply.
Setting boundaries helps you enjoy the break without guilt and reduces the temptation to keep working.
Prepare Your Workload in Advance
Try to complete any urgent tasks before your last day. If you have ongoing projects, tell clients what will be done before the break and what will continue afterwards. This level of organisation shows professionalism and helps clients feel reassured.
If you use coworking spaces, the quieter atmosphere in the run up to Christmas can give you a focused environment where you can wrap up work efficiently before you switch off.
Use the Break to Rest and Reset
A proper break is not just time away from your desk. It is a chance to rest, see friends or family, enjoy quieter moments, and restore your energy. This time is vital for your long term wellbeing and work / life balance.
Many self employed people return from a winter break with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and a clearer direction for the new year. Stepping back makes it easier to step forward with confidence.
Look After Your Wellbeing
Running a small business can be intense, especially towards the end of the year. Darker days and cold weather can also affect your mood. Taking a winter break allows you to slow down, enjoy daylight hours where possible, and reset your routine. This rest supports your mental and physical health and helps you begin the new year feeling more balanced.
Start the New Year Strong
When you return to work, you will be in a better position to make plans, set goals, and approach your tasks with energy. Many freelancers and small business owners use January to tidy up processes, refresh their workspace, or spend more time in a coworking environment where structure and community help them ease back into work after the holidays.
Give Yourself Permission to Rest
The most important part of taking time off is allowing yourself to take it. Rest is not a luxury. It is a necessary part of running a successful and sustainable business. By planning your winter break well and managing expectations with your clients, you give yourself the space you need to return focused, healthy, and ready for the year ahead.
