Taking time off sounds great in theory. Lying on a beach, long lunches, late starts in the morning all sound so enticing. But whether you’re running a business or rising through the ranks in your career, actually switching off has never felt harder.
It’s not just because we’re busy. It’s because we’re plugged in. Always on. To opportunity. To pressure. To visibility. To the constant, low-level hum of “I should be doing more.”
In the past, time off might have meant turning on an out-of-office and heading for the sun. But now, even on holiday, we find ourselves reaching for our phones, checking in on clients, scanning our inboxes, or responding to the “quick question” from a colleague or team member. Rest really has become performative, something we plan but rarely fully commit to.
So why is it so hard? And more importantly, what on earth can we do about it?
We’ve confused productivity with our worth
For so many of us, especially women in leadership or running businesses, the drive to prove ourselves never quite switches off. Our conditioning keeps telling us that being valuable means being available. That success must be earned through effort, and taking time away somehow chips at our credibility. We get caught up in that train wreck that only people pleasers really understand!
But here’s the truth: your worth isn’t measured in those hours you get clocked in. Taking a break or stepping back isn’t a luxury; it is a leadership skill. One that really allows you to return to work with much stronger boundaries, a clearer head, and a renewed sense of direction and purpose!
There’s pressure to always be ‘on brand’
When your work is deeply tied to your identity (which, let’s face it, for most of us is the case), whether you’re building a business around your name or developing your profile internally, it can be quite hard to avoid the feeling that stepping away is a big risk. You might think: What if people forget about me? What if I lose momentum? What if someone else steps in and shines?
But the most magnetic businesses (and careers) are built on energy and clarity, not constant content or presence. Your audience – whether they are your clients, customers, or colleagues- are paying attention to how you treat yourself. Remembering that we teach others how to treat us by how we treat ourselves, we want to get to those places where we are modelling healthier boundaries at a much more sustainable pace. That’s the real flex.
We’re terrified of losing control
Letting go is hard. For founders, it can bring up fears around delegation, revenue dips, or everything falling apart in your absence. For career climbers, the worry might be that stepping back will slow your progress or give someone else the upper hand, god forbid!
But if the foundations of your success rely solely on you never stopping, then it’s time to rework the structure, not keep reinforcing the burnout and exhaustion cycle. Time off inevitably gives you a better perspective. It allows ideas to breathe and problems to resolve without you holding everything up.
So what’s the solution?
Yes of course, what’s needed is a cultural shift, but also a very personal one. It always starts with you and here’s where to begin.
Redefine just what time off means for you. It doesn’t always have to be a two-week beach escape. It could be a no-meeting day, a tech-free weekend, or a slower summer month with space for strategic thinking and planning.
Prepare for time off like a project. Delegate. Automate. Communicate clearly with your team or clients. The better you prepare, the easier it gets.
Use the time intentionally. Don’t fill it with tasks or appointments. Let yourself be not just do. That’s where creativity and clarity start to flow. Create space in your days and weeks and then observe as new ideas, possibilities and opportunities find a place to land.
Check your story. If taking time off triggers guilt or fear, ask yourself what is it you are afraid of and why that might be the case, where that belief comes from and whether it’s serving you (or anyone else). Chances are it’s not!
Taking time off isn’t a threat to your growth. It’s actually a powerful strategy for it. Because the truth is, your business or career can’t thrive if you’re running on empty. Rest or time away from your routine isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a power move. And those women who learn just how to protect their energy and step back to take care of themselves – they’re the ones who go the distance. Which do you want to be?
If this resonates and you’re ready to move from thinking to doing, join Niamh Ennis at the next Changemakers Series workshop “ From Idea to Impact.” It’s designed to help you take that spark of an idea and turn it into something purposeful, profitable, and real. It’s free to attend. Big on clarity. Bigger on momentum. Sign up early here, niamhennis.com
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