Paula, you are so wise to declare your time off. I had a few things try to encroach and I held firm. There was one project that I’d signed on for knowing it might run over. It did, but the revisions were minor and took little time. Still, my stress level was so freaking high that I nearly burst a blood vessel just looking at the email! Time for a break, for sure.

Enjoy your time off, too! And your holidays. Give Sadie a pet for me.

Cathy, I never realized how satisfying it would be to say “no” as often as I have this year! I use you as a role model there. I remember a conversation we had where you had told me about your being choosy and I was dead jealous!

Enjoy your holiday as well, my friend. Hugs to your mom.

I’m going to normalize being out for more than a week, that’s for sure! It’s been great so far, and it’s been just eight days.

To me, the difference between successful freelancers and struggling ones is that mindset of the client being a partner. It’s such a subtle shift, but clients respond so well to that.

Have a great holiday in your new place!

Gabriella, you definitely can do this. We’re not employees, so we can pretty much do what we want, though giving notice is courteous. It’s hard to get out of that employee mindset though, isn’t it? Took me years. And I’m still guilty of worrying about the reaction. Ugh!

December is good for me, as is July, because in December, budgets are spent and in July, vacations are in full swing. But hey, the best time is when you need it!

And thank you for the kind words. Happy holidays to you too, my friend. And your lovely pup. 🙂

It felt good. If I weren’t determined to take time off at the end of the year, I would have tried asking a higher rate. But I didn’t want to overwork myself during the holidays.

Make the most of your well-earned time off!

Enjoy the holidays and your well-earned time off, my friend.

Right behind you on the vaca. Mine starts tomorrow, and I’ll be back in early January. I look forward to the long break and ability to recharge every year. Let’s normalize long breaks! 🙂

Your advice is spot on as usual too. I especially love the reminder that client relationships are partnerships. It’s so important for newer freelancers to understand they aren’t working *for* their clients so much as they’re working *with* them. Those true partnerships are so rewarding.

Enjoy your break!

Well done! And than you for all your insights. You’re a great leader in the freelance world. Happy holidays, girl.