Relax and enjoy your summer holidays...

The end of the year is fast approaching. Christmas party invitations are starting to roll in. You know you have a week, two or maybe more of holidays coming up but the thought of it freaks you out a little because, well, you have so much left to do at work before the end of the year. 


Taking time off should be relaxing and fun, not stressful, sleepless and a sneaky check of your emails here and there, I am so guilty of this. So I want to help you out with some tips on how to prepare before your holidays are here. Plus the best ways to fully enjoy your time off no matter how long or short they may be. 


I used to work in the events industry so Christmas and New Year time was when I never got time off but now I work for myself I am going to fully emerge in two blissful weeks off by following my below tips...


+ Prep to do at work BEFORE your holidays begin:

:: Get ORGANISED! This is my top tip that will set you up for a blissful Christmas/summer break. Sort out what meetings or appointments you have, what projects are due and what needs to be completed before your holidays begin. Once you have your list, schedule these into your calendar with the amount of time you think you will need to get them done. 


:: Prepare a TO-DO LIST. This kind of goes hand in hand with the above tip so do them at the same time. Make sure you prioritise what HAS to be done before you finish work for the year. Anything else that can wait until next year, leave it until next year. Extra things will pop up, that's almost a given so just allow your self enough time to get it all done. 


:: Be CLEAR that you won't be taking on any extra work if possible until you get your current work load done. There is nothing wrong with telling your manager that you are already snowed under and taking on even more work is going to make your work standard slip. In one of my previous jobs, my boss was piling me up with new projects to work on but I was struggling to get everything done for my current projects. I ended up voicing my concern even though I was worried what he was going to say but he completely understood and gave the work to another girl that wasn't as busy as me. Ask for HELP, don't be scared!


:: Set up AUTO REPLY on your emails and change your voicemail message so if any one contacts you they know you are on holidays and in a nice way, don't want to be disturbed. Do this on your last day of work of course, and if your work closes down for the Christmas period maybe add this to your signature a couple of week's before hand so people are aware in advance. There is nothing worse than getting work calls or emails coming through when you are trying to disconnect and have a well earned break from work. 



+ Enjoying your time off:


:: Put your PHONE AWAY and enjoy life right now! I have made a deal with myself that I am going to stay off social media for my entire two weeks off. It is time to detox! Because I have my own business I never want to 'miss out' on anything and really what am I going to miss out on? So I live on Facebook and Instagram, which really leads me to being drained and I end up with feelings of resentment and sometimes comparison-itis. We are so quick to check in or take photos of what we are doing but forget to talk to the people around us and enjoy that very moment. Remind yourself, you will never get that moment back so take it all in with your eyes!! 


:: Turn your WORK EMAILS OFF! No notifications allowed. We all need to unwind and have a break from work, it will make you so much more productive when you return. 


:: Have some QUIET TIME just with yourself. Enjoy a cuppa outside while watching the sun rise. Grab a smoothie and a good book and sit in the sunshine. Anything that makes your heart sing that you feel you never get to do while you are working. Because let's face it, it is hard to turn off when you have deadlines  approaching and your email notifications coming through on your phone. 


:: TRY SOMETHING NEW! Experience life!! It doesn't have to be big or expensive, just something you have always wanted to do but never have the time. Make the time and do it now! My husband and I have a jar with all different activities and places written on pieces of paper, so when we have a quiet day we pick one out of the jar and that is what we do or where we go for the day. 




I hope these tips of mine help you to feel better prepared and ready to enjoy your well deserved holiday over the Christmas period. We all deserve a break and that means a break from any distractions. When you take away the distractions like mobile phones, you allow yourself to really enjoy your time off, you feel as though your mind has had a break even if it is just for 4 or 5 days. 



Enjoy my darling ones! Let me know if you found these tips helpful or if you have any extra tips to add to the list, pop them in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!



Be happy & healthy,