4 Ways I’m Enforcing Vacation Mode (Really!)
I know the holidays are going to look a lot different this year. Instead of paragliding in New Zealand, most of us will be hunkered down at home — and that’s okay. But, just because we’re not physically going anywhere doesn’t mean we can’t bring “vacation mode” into our homes. One of my biggest goals for 2021 is to lean into “vacation mode;” to truly be off when I’m supposed to be off, which is a tall order for someone who loves what they do for a living. In honor of the holidays, I’m sharing the ways I’m planning to enforce “vacation mode.” Want to join?
Get it Done
As far as I’m concerned, “vacation mode” can’t happen if you have a to-do list hanging over your head. I know, the holidays are so close you can basically taste the eggnog and gingerbread cookies — and nobody really wants to do work right now. But, I’m planning to leave no stone unturned before the holidays. By the time Wednesday evening rolls around, I intend to have sent out all my pitches, filed every outstanding story, and submitted last-minute invoices. (It’s amazing what focus and adrenaline can do!)
Yes, that might mean hustling hard over the next few days. (I’m up early and will likely work late.) I know “hustle culture” can be a toxic trap many self-starters fall into, but think of it this way: Working a little harder now will not only ensure a relaxing holiday, but it’ll also allow you to start 2021 with a clean slate.
Embrace Email Hacks
I have a love-hate relationship with my email. While my inbox is a great place to connect with work colleagues and like-minded self-starters, it gets a little…well, overwhelming. And, whenever I have too many emails in my inbox, I find it impossible to focus on anything else. This year, I’m creating boundaries and setting up an automated out of office reply. Am I going anywhere? No, but that’s not the point. It’s about giving myself the opportunity to not be attached to my inbox, something I’m most definitely guilty of. And, I want to give my clients and colleagues the same courtesy. If I have an idea or want to send them a note, I’ll schedule an email for after the holidays. (ICYMI, Gmail’s schedule button is a game-changer.)
Rethink Your Schedule
I’m a natural-born busy body, so the mere thought of having free time is a little terrifying. (What do people do with all that time?!) Instead of filling my plate with last-minute assignments, I’m planning to fill my schedule with invigorating activities. I’m excited to break out my watercoloring set and embrace my artistic side! I want to go on walks to the beach with my boyfriend! I want to read! (I’m personally eying A Promised Land, Party of Two, and A Death in White Bear Lake for my true crime book club.) We spend so much of our time catering to our clients (and rightfully so!) that we deserve to be a little selfish over the holidays.
Slow Your Roll
While taking a full-on break is ideal, it’s likely that you’ll have some work to do over the holidays. (For example, I’m planning to write another newsletter next week!) But, instead of hustling tirelessly over the holidays, keep your time working to a minimum. Think about any and all work emergencies that might arise and how you can get ahead of the issue. Do you need to connect with your clients before the holidays? Can you automate a task that has to get done? How can you plan ahead? Anticipating your clients and company’s needs now will make any last-minute assignments more bearable.
Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a healthy, successful year ahead!
Hustler of the Week: Chloe Grandin
Congratulations on Shop Chloe Grand! What inspired you to launch your own Etsy shop?
Thank you so much! I grew up going to art classes every week after school and was always trying new DIY projects in my spare time. I always found it therapeutic to work on different creative projects, but when I moved into a tiny NYC apartment and started working full time, I had very little time (and literally zero extra space) to keep up with crafting. When the quarantine boredom and anxiety really hit this summer, I decided to order a bead kit to keep me entertained at home.
I started making a few bracelets for friends, and the response was so positive. A few people even suggested I start selling them on Etsy, so I decided to make a poll on my Instagram to see if there was any interest from people besides my close friends and family. I was shocked when over 50 people voted in my poll and every single one said that I should launch an Etsy shop. So I took the plunge and started my Etsy store in early September!
Your Etsy shop is your side hustle! How do you balance your new venture with your full-time job?
When I first started the shop, I had no idea what kind of time commitment I was signing up for or what to expect. I really thought of it as more of a hobby and when it took off, I felt like I may have bitten off more than I could chew. My full-time job has to be my first priority, but I have learned a lot about how to better manage my time to get things done for the shop, too. One of the silver linings of quarantine is that since I have been working from home for over seven months, I was able to remove over an hour of commuting to and from the office every day. You can get a lot done in an hour! Plus, instead of having to run out to grab lunch by the office, I am eating at home so I can sometimes spare a few minutes for some shop work, too.
Even though I have gotten into a good routine, there are days when I still feel overwhelmed and like there are not enough hours in the day. I have found that taking a step back, fitting in a 15–20 minute workout, and coming back to my desk to write down everything I need to get done really helps me reset and get back on track.
What is the best lesson you’ve learned since launching your Etsy shop?
If you love something, do it and don’t worry about what other people might think. I had considered starting an Etsy shop for handmade jewelry a few years ago, but was so worried that people may question what I was doing or that it would flop. I’ve realized that my fear about what others may think was my biggest hurdle in all of this. The support from friends and family has been incredible and I never should have questioned it.
Give Chloe some love by following Shop Chloe Grand on Instagram and treating yourself to a new bracelet.
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