Chasing Away the Summer Blues
Welcome back! Did you have a lovely summer holiday? When I worked in retail planning, this time of year was all about launching new work collections and kicking off ‘Back to Work’ promotions. But is simply sorting out our work outfits enough to prepare us for returning to the daily grind after a holiday? Sometimes, feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness and stress can arise after a break, marking it challenging for some, particularly those who work for themselves. Let’s explore why these feelings might occur after a holiday and how to manage them.
Isolation:
Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely journey. Entrepreneurs might feel isolated, especially if their business requires them to work during the holidays or if they are away from their support network. Working for yourself often creates extra stress, especially if you do not have staff or a work partner to cover your responsibilities while you are away.
Unrealistic Expectations:
Holidays come with societal expectations of joy and togetherness with loved ones. For entrepreneurs, the pressure to create the "perfect" holiday experience can lead to disappointment when reality does not match up. Self-employed individuals might also feel guilty about taking time off, thinking they should be working and earning money instead. This disappointment of an imperfect holiday can lead to feelings of regret and guilt for neglecting their business .
Work-Life Balance:
Entrepreneurs often struggle with work-life balance, and holidays can magnify this issue. The desire to spend time with family and friends while still managing business responsibilities can create feelings of guilt and frustration.
Financial stress:
Holidays can be expensive. Additionally, depending on your business, it could be a make-or-break time of year, while for others, it could be a slow period where cash flow dries up. The pressure to manage both personal and business finances while on holiday can be overwhelming.
Some suggestions
Self-care:
Prioritise sleep, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and stay socially connected. While this advice is easier said than done, it is crucial for recharging your energy and promoting a healthy lifestyle both before and after your holiday. Plan your holiday in advance to minimise stress. Rather than viewing your holiday as an escape from your business, focus on activities that excite you. When you return, keep up with your exercise routine and continue socialising with friends and family, without feeling guilty about how you spent your time.
Slow down and ease yourself back into Work:
We can be our own worst bosses, expecting perfection and pushing ourselves to catch up quickly after a break. Instead, give yourself time to ease back into your routine. It is more important to make the right decisions than a quick ones. Remind yourself of what you have done well and take your time to get back on track.
Separate business and Personal life:
Try to schedule holidays when your business is less busy, particularly if your work is seasonal. If you have staff or a work partner, leave a detailed handover note for them. If you work alone, write a handover note to yourself before setting your ‘out of office’ auto-reply. Check your email only if you expect something urgent; otherwise, enjoy your break. When you return, read your handover note to remind yourself of what you left off before diving into emails.
Set a budget:
To reduce the financial stress, set a budget for your holiday and stick to it. Make sure you plan your holiday during the non-peak season of your business so you can relax without worrying about work and business finance.
Working for yourself can feel lonely, but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you need someone to talk to about your business, your work-life balance, I’m here to listen. Message me for a discovery session. As a coach, I’m here to support you on your journey.
Please feel free to leave comments on this article. Share how you feel after a holiday and what you do to cope. We are here to learn from each other.
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