This contributor post was written by Tiffany Han.
When was the last time you took a day off?
I’m not talking about a day off where you only check your email a few times throughout, or where you go somewhere and try to stay present but keep checking in on your phone justincase.
I’m not talking about a day off where you managed to do it all! by entertaining your kids at the zoo, making dinner for friends, and fitting in a (super quick!) skype call during naptime.
I’m not talking about that vacation you took where you forgot to tell all of your clients that you’d be away and thus had to log computer time every day to stay ahead.
I’m talking about a real break, a screens-off, lounge around decadent kind of day off. When was the last time you had one of those?
Sometimes, in running a business, you have to hustle. And you have to multitask, and you have to be constantly connected. Because you’re trying to create something. And it’s all on you.
But you don’t have to be that way all of the time. You get to take a break. You don’t need anyone’s permission (but here it is, just in case!). You don’t even need to let anyone know.
You can simply answer the emails tomorrow.
And it can really be that simple.
Challenge: Schedule a screen-free day off sometime this month. Let us know in the comments when you plan to do it! (I’ve got mine planned for Thursday.)
Tiffany Han, CPCC is a coach for highly-creative people who want to wake up happy. If you’re feeling the growing pains of running your creative business and are ready to STOP spinning your wheels and actually get stuff done, her blog is sure to light your fire.
26 comments | Click here to reply
Wednesdays are my wireless days. I chill all day and do absolutely nothing. It is really helpful to shut it all down and really relax. Thanks for the post!
Rae RamsesSo true – we are slaves to these devices.
Paper AcrobatWe all need a break sometimes!
I keep telling myself I really need to do this. I will be on Cape Cod this weekend with friends, and I hope I can force myself to do it. (It helps that I likely will not have cell phone service!)
Bev @ LinkoutureI really needed to read this, I’m trying to get a small business off the ground as well as work full-time. Taking a day to refresh is definitely needed and so important.
CharlotteI uuuuusually try to schedule my “off-time” at least one day on the weekends, but sometimes…….it doesn’t happen 🙂 Thank you for sharing this post and reminding us how important it is to take this time away from work and give ourselves a break. Seriously…this weekend…break-time! Great post!
JessicaI couldn’t agree with this post more! Taking time off is so important and we so easily forget it. Last week I took a day off. I did not check email once! I did whatever I felt like and it was great. The next day back at work I was much more present and energized as a result. I will definitely try to do this more often in the future.
BrookeThanks for such an encouraging post…and a great reminder! Sometimes I feel like the best thing to do is “power through” something… but I think it’s imperative to take breaks and prevent burn out. Plus, the best stuff seems to happen after that… 🙂
MollyThanks for the permission, I totally feel guilty when I do take a day! But then remember how much more productive I am after I do.
Maggie-Maggie
www.maggiefinejewelry.com
I love this idea!! Like you, I believe in balance! If you’re going to have super productive and successful days, you also need relaxed-i’m-going-to-sit-on-the-couch-or-in-my-bed days as well!
Thank you for sharing!!
xo, B
BBKCsquared
I haven’t done this in a long time, since we’re just getting our business started. It’s FB, Pinterest, e-mails, or online research constantly. I’m also a student, and this is finals week. So, I declare that Monday will be “no screens day”!
Jennifer BierdsGlad to hear this post is resonating with you ladies. Love reading through the comments on Tiffany’s posts.
papernstitchI haven’t had enough of those lately! I need to fit one in soon, for sure!
-Becca
Beccaoh man, I desperately NEED a day like that! But….but….gah! There’s SO much to do!!
Nicole UnderwoodI haven’t taken a “screen-free” day off in a long time. I’m currently between jobs and struggling to figure things out, so I find myself tethered to my laptop!
JanWow. Sounds amazing Donna!
papernstitchI am fortunate to live on a lake with my studio not far from shore so downtime is luxurious and can be taken as often as I like. Without it I can get cranky and impatient. Especially late in the evening when I take the boat out and glide over the quiet surface, the only thing to do is savor the moment. My mind quiets, too. Thanks, lake!
DonnaI would taking breaks is as important as the times we’re working our butts off. I technically just came back from a 3 week vacation, but I’m guilty of still checking my email constantly!
juni // hej juniDefinitely Jo! I always get my best ideas when I’m out on a walk or taking a break. When I’m away from the computer (and my phone), inspiration comes more easily, strangely enough.
papernstitchIt’s so true!
Jo ChambersWorking for yourself can mean you rarely get time out, but I agree, it’s so essential. Letting your mind wander, going places you wouldn’t normally and enjoying others company is too important not to do. Also, you just never know what might inspire you when you’re not looking too hard x
Last night, I watched a whole movie with my wife — no knitting, no blogging, no photo editing…no screens of any kind (except for the one we were watching, of course). It was luxurious.
Hannah