🎅 Avoid this mistake this holiday season

Hey Freaking Nomads,

With the holiday season fast approaching, I’ve been reflecting on something that always seems to creep up this time of year: the guilt of taking time off.

Like many digital nomads constantly fighting to sustain a location-independent lifestyle, you probably feel a pull to keep hustling, even when the world slows down for Christmas.

The logic goes something like this: "If I stop working, I'll fall behind."

But let me tell you from experience—that little voice is setting you up for burnout.

Throughout my years as a digital nomad, I always made the mistake of ignoring the holidays entirely. When I started freelancing, holidays didn’t almost exist for me. Christmas, Easter, and even some weekends, they were all just opportunities to keep hustling (I’ve even written about how this mindset was rooted in survival mode for me in the past).

Then, we created Freaking Nomads and, even if my work felt less like a grind and more like something I love, that almost made it harder to switch off.

So, I spent Christmas Day last year working on it, and by the time January rolled around, I felt drained.

And you know what? None of that work was urgent. None of it needed to be done right then.

As digital nomads, sometimes we tend to blend work and life so much that boundaries can feel non-existent.

That’s why giving yourself permission to pause is so powerful. Because you’re not losing time! You’re actually investing in your energy, creativity, and well-being. The emails, projects, and calls will still be there when you return. But the chance to reflect on the year and truly rest? That’s something you can’t get back.

So this Christmas, I’m doing things differently and making a promise to myself to prioritize presence.

I’m not talking about working a little less or sneaking in a few quick emails after Christmas dinner. I mean, really being there, without a laptop nearby interrupting the moment.

So, if you’ve been feeling guilty about stepping away from work this holiday season, let this be your permission slip.

Celebrate your wins. Reflect on how far you’ve come. And trust that slowing down doesn’t mean you’re falling behind—it means you’re recharging for what’s ahead.

Wishing you all restful and guilt-free holidays,

Irene xx

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