Of all the holidays on the calendar, Christmas is the most special and magical of them all. It is capable of transporting the most serious adult to his or her childhood and of elevating the innate joy of children to its highest exponent. Therefore, the challenge of being able to enjoy Christmas vacations without neglecting work becomes an even more complicated task.
At Befree we are aware of how difficult it is for freelancers to combine work and rest. Therefore, we would like to offer you a few tips and recommendations so that you can make the most of this holiday season. Because, as the song says, it’s the most wonderful time of the year and everyone deserves to enjoy it. Christmas vacations
Why is it necessary to take a vacation?
Levels of work-related stress and mental exhaustion have reached peaks in the 21st century that have never been seen before. Therefore, it is more necessary than ever to reinforce the importance of disconnecting for a few days from the hustle and bustle of routine.
Vacations allow us a period of time that allows us to get away from the monotony and a loop that never seems to end. It gives us the chance to do different things, to be able to do that activity we wanted to do so much or to visit that place that has been marked in red on our map for years. All this will make us renew our energies and spirits.
In addition, Christmas is a fantastic opportunity to spend time with family and friends that we do not have so close during the working months. Take the opportunity to see them and enjoy the company and good times you spend with them.
Tips to enjoy your vacation
1- Identify a low work session
Although there are always things to do and chores to be done, there are periods when the workload is relatively lower than usual. That’s when freelancers should plan their vacations.
If you have been freelancing for a few years, remember which days you usually have the most free and schedule your Christmas vacations during that period. Decide how much time you want to disconnect: maybe a couple of days is enough, or maybe you need a whole week away from the computer to recharge your batteries.
In addition, we recommend you to analyze your clients to try to detect the time that will be required to carry out their projects, or if they plan to give their company a boost in the new year and will need more of your services.
2- Make it clear that you are going on vacation
If you don’t tell them, it doesn’t exist. You need to explain and make it clear that you are going to take a few days of disconnection so that there are no misunderstandings or annoyances. Send a corporate email wishing a Merry Christmas and include in it a clarification about your vacation.
You can program an automatic reply to your email to let anyone who tries to contact you know that you are not available. On the other hand, a good tip is to personally notify your most important clients in a special way. Tell them everything first.
3- Finish all the work before you leave
There is nothing worse than the feeling of knowing that you have something to do while you are resting. To save you that fly behind the ear on your Christmas vacations, the freelancer should try to finish and advance all the work he/she can before enjoying the holidays.
It is absolutely forbidden to take any work with you on vacation. Even small details and tasks such as reviewing numbers or planning the work schedule of upcoming projects have no place here. Your only job is to rest.
4- Disconnect completely
This is closely related to the previous point. Once you are sure that you will not take any task to the Christmas vacations, you must disconnect and take the work chip out of your head.
Turn off your cell phone from work. Silence any type of work notification. Don’t set foot in your office until you get back to work. Make your electronic devices a space free of freelance responsibilities during the days you have decided to rest. This is something that is not often talked about but it is essential.
5- Find something to do
Try to fill your time with activities that make you feel good and make you happy. Pick an interesting exhibition and go see it. Take a walk in the mountains to breathe fresh air and get out of the city. Or pick a classic series and enjoy it, or switch to a current one if you don’t like it.
However, we know that relaxing is sometimes incompatible with our routine. So, that something to do can also be nothing. What if you just feel like staying at home quietly? What if you prefer to watch a Christmas movie while sipping hot chocolate? Nothing is set in stone for Christmas vacations, so enjoy them in your own way.
