How to Take a Vacation as a Freelancer

Summer is right around the corner, but it’s not easy to find time to take time off as a freelancer. When you’re a one-woman show, it can seem like there are no days off. 

However, taking time off from your business allows you to grow emotionally, mentally, and creatively. Before you decide to stay home all summer, check out our favorite tips for how to take a vacation as a freelancer! 

Have a part-time employee trained and ready to go! 

It’s always a smart idea to have a worker trained on your systems and workflows, even if you’re not planning a vacation. In the event of a family emergency or medical need, this employee can ensure that your business keeps running smoothly while you are able to step away. 

Give your part-time worker a set list of tasks to help keep your business going while you’re gone to help them stay on track with your goals. Try to check in with them occasionally while you are gone and make yourself available to them in case they have any issues!  

Let clients know at least 2 weeks in advance that you’ll be gone!

Client communication is the most important aspect of heading out of town. Inform all of your clients of when you will be gone and  See what needs they may have in the next couple weeks that you can knock out before taking time off. Get all of your work completed before heading out and let them know when they can expect to have you back for new projects! 

Make sure your out-of-office message is ready to go as well before heading out on your vacation! This message can be a helpful reminder to any client that may have forgotten your schedule or to any future client that may have reached out to you while you were away. 

Get ahead before you head out! 

Try to batch-work as much as you can before leaving on your vacation. Take a look at recurring events on your calendar and determine where you can get ahead. Content creation, finishing projects early, and rescheduling client calls in advance are all things that can be done well before heading out. Bonus points if you get a little ahead and are able to give yourself a break when you get back to help ease into your work again.

Don’t be afraid to relax! 

You’ve earned this trip - enjoy it! While you’re on vacation, it can be tempting to check your email or do a little work here and there. Our best piece of advice is to take this deserved time off and truly allow yourself to reset your mind. When you come back to the office after a few days off, you’ll feel re-energized about your mission and ready to take on the projects ahead of you! 

Consider how you can find time for travel and fun in your life while still maintaining your business based on these tips. It’s easier than you may realize to find a balance between work and play as a freelancer! By the time summer rolls around, you’ll be ready to start drafting your out-of-office message and planning your next getaway thanks to our best tips for taking a vacation as a freelancer.