After what feels like a marathon last few months, moving home to Australia, announcing my new book, and getting used to a whole new life, I couldn’t be more excited for Christmas!

As I mentioned, we’re hosting Christmas Day at home and I’m actually really happy about it. I thought I might be stressed but we’ve chosen a really simple menu with a focus on things we LOVE to eat rather than what we think should be served according to tradition. Yes there will be a ham, but we’ve vetoed the turkey in lieu of seafood, amazing salads and a yogurt cheesecake. I’m also excited because Christmas Day will be the first day of a little holiday I’ll be having. Two weeks of downtime! I absolutely LOVE this community but I think it’s really useful to switch off now and again so I can come back refreshed and feeling inspired. Unfortunately, when you run your own business, it’s not that easy to just switch off, if you don’t plan ahead switching off can be more stressful than anything else. So I also wanted to share how I’m planning to have my downtime (including choosing my word of the year)! Read on for more.

Happy Holidays! And a look back (5 of 8)

How I’ll Be Planning Some Downtime These Holidays

I’ve Planned In Advance

I’m a planner. I can’t help it. And one thing I always plan for is to take some time over the holiday season to relax and renew. This means – doing all me deadlines in advance of this period, letting my clients know I won’t be around during the holiday season, doing all of January’s content in advance and setting an OOO.

I’m Digital Detoxing

Social media gets a lot of criticism, but I have to say I really love it. I love that I have been able to create an amazing community who I feel truly understand me. Yes there are downsides, but recently I’ve been feeling better equipped to take what I love and leave the rest. That said, I truly believe that you need to give yourself space to grow creatively, and for me that means logging off now and again to just be present and still. So, for the next few weeks I’ll be taking a little break!

I’ll Schedule Important Updates

That said, as a business owner I know that there are things that will need doing – in my business and on social. So I’ve been doing my best to schedule any updates that need to go out to you guys. I’ll also set aside a small window to check my emails and other accounts just to make sure everything is running smoothly.

I’ll be Keeping Busy With Creative Activities

Creative activities do so much to top up my inspiration and make me feel happy and balanced. Hiking, cooking, journal writing or crafting. I’m going to make some new shorts for Frankie, and a dress. Maybe there are a few projects here you’ve been planning to do… now is the time! I’ve shared a few ideas below.

I’ll Be Taking Time To Plan The Year

Full disclosure, I’m one of this people who REALLY enjoys planning for the upcoming year. It honestly is just the BEST. Nothing makes me feel better than being also to do a few days at the end of a break of planning what’s in store for the next 365 days, pick some goals, choose my focus word for the year and choose some big projects to get started on.

I’ll Be Prepping My Phone

I’ll be taking the appeal out of my phone by deleting all my social apps, closing down my emails and removing notifications. I’m also going to try changing the screen to blank and white, which is something I have heard really reduces your interest in your phone!

Make sure to check out this post on choosing your word of the year, and stay tuned for a special post in the first week of January some great new tools for helping you plan your year.