Taking a Holiday (Yes, Really!): The Art of Saying “I’m Off” During the Christmas Season

Taking a Holiday (Yes, Really!): The Art of Saying “I’m Off” During the Christmas Season Ah, the holiday season—a time of joy, giving, and… working yourself into the ground. For most of the year, my schedule looks like a non-stop carousel of client appointments, messages, and back-to-back to-do lists. I’m closed maybe two days a month, which I’m pretty sure makes me some kind of workaholic superhero. But this year, I’ve decided to do the unthinkable: I’m taking four whole days off in a row. Yes, four. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Four days?! But what about your clients?!” Believe me, I’m asking myself the same thing. As I prepare to set my phone down, take a deep breath, and actually switch off for a few days, I’m feeling that nagging guilt creeping in. You know, the voice that whispers, “But what if a client really needs you?” Or worse, the one that says, “Think of all the messages piling up!” But here’s the thing—I need this break. And I’m pretty sure my clients need me to take it, too, if they want a happy, sane aesthetician come January. Running a business during the holidays is like trying to juggle snowballs while they’re melting in your hands. Everyone’s on a schedule, everyone needs “just one little thing,” and somehow, despite my best intentions, I find myself answering messages around the clock. This season, I’ve decided it’s time to hit pause—not just for my sanity but also to actually focus on the backend of the business. You know, all those unglamorous but vital things that keep this whole operation running smoothly, from accounting to inventory, to planning the next season’s services. If I’m going to keep making the magic happen, I need time to focus on those essentials, away from the constant pinging of my phone. So, yes, I’ll be closed for a few days, and (brace yourself) I won’t be answering messages either. I know there will be a few clients who might be a little (or a lot) miffed that I’m stepping away for a few days. The emails and DMs might pile up, and I can already hear the sighs from those who need a last-minute fix before their family photos. But here’s the reality: I’m only human, and just like everyone else, I need a holiday break too. So, for four glorious days, I’m going to put the guilt on mute, close the laptop, and ignore the phone. And if that means a little disappointment from a few folks? So be it. Besides, let’s be honest—those few days off might be all that stands between me and turning into a holiday-season Grinch. One thing people don’t often see is all the backend work that goes into keeping this business running. I may be the face clients see during appointments, but there’s a whole mountain of tasks piling up behind the scenes that are just as important as my one-on-one time with clients. I can only ignore it for so long before it starts to avalanche, and no amount of holiday cheer can make that mountain any easier to climb. So, for these four days, I’ll be catching up on that unglamorous work so I can start the new year fresh, organized, and (hopefully) a little less buried in paperwork. Taking a real break—one where I’m not secretly checking my phone under the table at dinner—is long overdue. I can’t pour from an empty cup, and this Christmas, I’m giving myself permission to step back, recharge, and fill that cup back up. I’m mentally preparing myself for any fallout, but I’m also reminding myself that if I don’t take this time, my business can’t grow the way I want it to. My clients deserve a refreshed, fully recharged version of me, not the sleep-deprived zombie who shows up after months of non-stop work. And the truth is, I’m not just taking these days off to rest; I’m taking them because I’m committed to making sure my business is sustainable and that I don’t burn out. To all my clients, thank you for understanding that I’m hitting pause for a few days. I’ll be back, rested and ready to go, after four days of not checking messages and not worrying about the little things. And hey, absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Let’s all take a page out of the holiday book and remember that rest, reflection, and recharging are just as important as the hustle and bustle. So, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and I’ll see you after a much-needed break—when I’m back to making the magic happen, one treatment at a time.