You know, it’s funny, when I used to work in an office, the distinction between the work week and the weekend was clearly defined. That TGIF (though more likely TFIF) feeling was always buzzing through me. Truth be told, in terms of social activity, I took part in it regardless of the day and I’ve gone into work hungover more times than I care to admit, so plans on the weekend were not necessarily the source of my weekend anticipation. There is something so comforting in knowing that the weekend is just around the corner. Whether your weekend was jam-packed with commitments or destined to be enjoyed in your PJs at home, it was the weekend and that’s all that mattered.
When I started to work for myself, that distinction became very fuzzy if not invisible. Not a weekend went by (other than one camping trip weekend) that I didn’t work in some capacity. In essence, I pretty much worked every day for a full year, for 365 days straight!
Of course, sometimes it was necessary and that’s a pill you simply have to swallow when working for yourself. However, there’s a difference between working out of pure necessity (i.e. to get on top of orders, a great idea you just want to work on) verses working out of self-imposed, unrealistic expectations. Seriously, would a potential customer feel any less of me if I didn’t answer a question at 11pm on a Saturday night? Heck, on any day even? Would a customer feel any less of me if the item they bought on Friday night shipped Monday morning rather than Sunday? My guess is no, they wouldn’t.
It’s not unusual for a bricks and mortar store to have 1 or 2 days of closure per week, so why do we put this pressure on ourselves to be available 24/7? Obviously, much of that pressure comes from the fact our primary presence is online. That alone brings expectations of instant results and constant accessibility. However, there’s a fine line and it’s up to you to keep in visible at all times.
I let it disappear in the beginning and I succumbed to the pressure only to later burn myself out. So, I’m drawing myself a new line. In a big fat marker. I’m taking back my weekends. My business will still be there on Monday, as will the customers, and more importantly, so will I, refreshed and raring to go thanks to two precious days off.
Who owns your weekend? You or your business?
Happy Weekend All!
Photo Credit: *Zara
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My goodness this hits a nerve. When I started my business I was so happy to have customers and people contacting me that I worked around the clock (as much as I could with a toddler to look after). Some mornings my husband would wake up for work and I hadn’t even been to bed. Then Christmas came and so did my mum and she forbid me to work. I managed to reply to emails and thats it for 2 weeks. I found it really hard to relax at first because I thought I was missing out on sales but then I realised that my family was the most improtant thing and quality of life.
Now I try to find a balance. My husband works on a shift pattern so some weekends he works so there is no Monday-Friday work week in our house but I try to do what work I can on his work days so we can spend his days off together as a family. It doesn’t always work but that is what I’m working towards.
I’m glad your reclaiming your weekends. More people need to do it!
Isa Maria | February 5th, 2010In high school I had a weekend job, so while everyone was watching the clock in that last period of the day (which was band for me) I knew I would be leaving school to go make blizzards and cherry dipped cones. Of course I still hung out with my friends for the half day i wasn’t working and was happy to have friends at my job and money in my pocket.
We of course all need a day off to just relax (however we see fit) and get rid of the stress that has been building up from orders and emails and everting else. I often find it hard to just tune everything out because I run an online shop as well as a fulltime day job as a graphic designer. Recently the firm I work with had to close its physical office space so while I’m happy to be employed with them I am left working from home.
Having two fulltime jobs that are both based out of the same physical space takes it’s toll on me so my weekends (where job #2 isn’t in play) are spent trying to get out of the house. If i’m not home I don’t feel obligated to work. Even if it’s just a trip to the coffee shop or an afternoon movie, getting out of the house is my relaxation.
p.s. longest comment i have ever left on a blog
jen pepper | February 5th, 2010good for you! email has started to rule our lives. as wonderfully convenient as it may be, having that constant need to respond immediately can’t be healthy. every person who emails us can not expect us to be at their beck and call 24 hours a day.
michelle | February 5th, 2010such a good choice to make… it took me 1.5 years of freelance until i felt comfortable not answering emails on the weekend. then gradually i started to actually take a day off every week. perhaps i’ve regressed now as i work on my own projects all weekend and haven’t had a day off in weeks. but i feel like in time i’ll get back to 1 day off a week.
still having the line between my work/client work does help so much – i was getting burnt out big time… and my creativity/outlook was suffering. much happier with things now.
hope your weekend is wonderful :)
Amy | February 5th, 2010I once read a tweet, from a prominent stationer, I can’t remember who, anyway, to paraphrase, it said,
Angie | February 6th, 2010“My life got 1000% better the moment I stopped working weekends”. I believe it but I don’t have the self control to follow suite. Enjoy your time. You are not your business. Your business is YOU. The more fulfilled you are, the more fulfilled your biz will be. BTW, do as I say, not as do. Ha ha ha!
Beautiful blog! I totally agree about taking a break on the weekends, or even deciding that Wednesday/Thursday are your weekend. I think nothing good comes out of working too much whether it is for yourself or for someone else!
californiablue | February 6th, 2010In high school I had a weekend job, so while everyone was watching the clock in that last period of the day (which was band for me) I knew I would be leaving school to go make blizzards and cherry dipped cones. Of course I still hung out with my friends for the half day i wasn't working and was happy to have friends at my job and money in my pocket.
We of course all need a day off to just relax (however we see fit) and get rid of the stress that has been building up from orders and emails and everting else. I often find it hard to just tune everything out because I run an online shop as well as a fulltime day job as a graphic designer. Recently the firm I work with had to close its physical office space so while I'm happy to be employed with them I am left working from home.
Having two fulltime jobs that are both based out of the same physical space takes it's toll on me so my weekends (where job #2 isn't in play) are spent trying to get out of the house. If i'm not home I don't feel obligated to work. Even if it's just a trip to the coffee shop or an afternoon movie, getting out of the house is my relaxation.
p.s. longest comment i have ever left on a blog
jen pepper | February 17th, 2010I definitely need to reclaim my weekends. There are many days when I can feel myself burning out from 12+ hour days. I am vowing to reclaim my weekends. Thanks for this great post.
My @ tha Hotness | February 28th, 2010