Working over Christmas? | #133

Can we get back to normal now?

Visual by erin mckenna

“Why can’t we just carry on as normal, keep the shops open, and work if we want to? If you’re not religious, what are you even celebrating?”

I had a WhatsApp chat with a friend who also hates Christmas Day. She loves all the lights and trees but feels a bit flat and would rather be working - no paid holidays for the self-employed and a tax bill to pay at the end of Jan.

She said it’s made her release how much her job defines her. She loves her work, and rattling around without routine isn’t great for your mental health.

It’s the same every year, and she wonders why she does it to herself… So much pressure to be social and having a great time.

Yes! I also felt flat on Christmas Day and would rather be working and useful. I went for a long walk and it felt like lockdown all over again. Nothing open, no one about, just a few dogs taking their owners for a walk. People stuck indoors watching telly, eating things they don’t want to eat… it’s just weird!

Why not do more new business in December instead of winding down?

So, I’m giving myself permission to do things differently next year and not get caught up in the madness. Be home or away and work if I want to.

The Americans do it right with Thanksgiving. Food, fun. Everybody’s grateful; the end. It's time to rechristen Christmas as ‘Friendsgiving’ and celebrate your alternative family—three cheers to all the grafters and solopreneurs in your life and what we’ve achieved this year. 

I’m doing business planning, goal-setting and digital gardening this week. Keeping things simple. I have two goals for 2024 - one financial, one professional. That’s it.

My two words are simplify and wonder. Well, six if you include ‘let it be easy’, my mantra. I want to stop feeling like business growth is hard, it doesn't have to be. Thanks to Pamela Slim and her Tiny Marketing Actions for inspiring me to keep it small and simple. There is no magic bullet - it’s just doing a little bit every day towards your goals.

Habits and routines are great, but I need a bit of wonder, art and awe to take me out of myself, so more exhibitions, cultural stuff, entrepreneur retreats, and solo travel for me next year - recs welcome. I want to work in different places.

I also plan to have more 1:1 chats on Zoom for the pleasure of conversation and getting to know another human being—with no agenda or content creation. Just to see if we can help each other out.

With all the tech available to us, growth still comes down to personal connections. I’m going back to the 90s!

On to this week’s 5 Things. I made something for you – a 2024 editorial calendar/planner. 

Enjoy the last day of the year! 📚 🥂

Nika x

PS We’re doing Mel Robbins’ Make 2024 Your Best Year workbook. Good to reflect and it helps focus your mind and get clear on what you really want. And if you’re going to start something new what are you going to stop doing?

You can download a free copy here.

Work with me

Wanted to be Jane Bond but ended up in journalism 🤷🏻‍♀️

I run Firebird, the content consultancy helping entrepreneurs impact the world with their stories. I want to see more female founders succeed. See my services here.

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