The wind-down

How to enter a holiday weekend / Issue 1,169

Oh, hi friends!

Do you feel it? The wind-down? 

We’re on the edge of a holiday here in the U.S. and before everyone heads to the airport or beach or a long-awaited reunion with their couch, there’s always a very specific vibe.

The vibe is a coiled tension. It’s “let’s tie up every loose end” meets “omg let’s push this ’til next week.”

When you work for yourself, the vibe is the same, except you forget that you are actually allowed to take a vacation. You are! It’s true! 

You might not be paid for it, but you can be deliberate and protect your time. 

You can pretend your manager is throwing up an out-of-office message and there are no expectations to show up or do anything.

You can choose to tie up loose ends or push something until next week.

The trick is choosing. 

Saying right now, “This is in my capacity to do before Friday at 5 p.m.” or “I’m boomeranging this email back on Wednesday at noon.”

Decide now and you’ll feel good about how you enter the weekend.

Another way to wind-down: Make loose and fun plans! You’ve wanted to see The Little Mermaid or try that new pizza place on the UWS. Why not…decide to do it? 

And give yourself space. Away from the phone, away from the laptop.

Something very interesting might arrive to fill it.