How To Take A Day Off As A Self Employed Person (and why you need it!)
- Amanda Hughes
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
Running your own business is incredible… but.. it can also be exhausting.
When you’re the one juggling clients, social media, admin, family, and that ever-growing to-do list, the idea of being on top of things enough to take a full day off can feel impossible.
But rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
That’s exactly why I created The Big Day Off Planner a FREE resource designed to help small business owners step away for 24 hours, every week, guilt-free, and come back more focused than ever.
Why Taking a Day Off Matters for Small Business Owners & Self Employed People
We all know we should take breaks… but when you’re self-employed, it’s easier said than done.
Research shows 92% of small business owners have experienced mental health challenges related to running their business.
More than 1 in 3 say they rarely take time off because they feel their business will fall apart without them.
Stress, burnout, and always being “on” aren’t just bad for your wellbeing — they also hurt your business long-term.
In other words: if you’re wondering “How do I take a day off as a self-employed person?” you’re not alone. Most small business owners struggle with it, myself included.
But as @virtuallysourced commented on my recent reel, your business doesn’t break when you rest, it breathes. Mic drop.
The Glass and Rubber Ball Theory
One of my favourite ways to think about time management comes from former Coca-Cola CEO Brian Dyson. He described life as juggling five balls: work, family, health, friends, and spirit. Some are rubber — drop them and they bounce. Some are glass — drop them and they shatter.
It’s the same in business:
Glass balls = client deadlines, childcare, essential health.
Rubber balls = emails, admin, non-urgent tasks.
The problem? Most of us treat everything like a glass ball. That’s why it feels impossible to step away. The Big Day Off Planner helps you see the difference clearly and gives you the confidence to let those rubber balls bounce while you take the break you need.
How to Take a Day Off Work (Without Guilt)
If you’re employed, you book annual leave. But when you’re self-employed? It’s not that simple. There’s no HR team chasing you to take holiday so you have to protect your time yourself.
Here’s how:
Plan your week in advance. Use a simple grid (like the one in the planner inspired by Sarah Stewart) to map out appointments, deadlines, and family commitments.
Identify your glass balls. Note down the tasks you absolutely can’t drop.
Use Parkinson’s Law to your advantage. Give tasks less time and you’ll still get them done.
Block your day off. Treat it like the most important meeting of your week.
Have a return checklist. So you don’t panic when you log back in.
This is exactly what the planner walks you through — step by step.
Stress and Mental Health in Small Businesses
Let’s talk stats, because this isn’t just “nice to have” it’s urgent.
According to Simply Business, 56% of small business owners say running their business has negatively affected their mental health.
The Federation of Small Businesses found that over half of SME owners regularly work weekends and struggle to switch off.
Chronic stress leads to burnout and once you hit burnout, it takes far longer to recover.
So when you’re asking “How do I take a day off work?” the answer isn’t indulgence. It’s prevention.
Introducing The Big Day Off Planner (Free Download)
I created this planner after seeing just how many small business owners told me: “I’d love to take a day off, but I never feel on top of things enough.” and I often feel that way myself too.
The Big Day Off Planner includes:
✅ A weekly grid to plan your work and life commitments.
✅ The Glass & Rubber Ball exercise.
✅ A simple way to time-box tasks.
✅ Affirmations to remind you rest is productive.
✅ A return checklist so you don’t come back to chaos.
It’s free, it’s simple, and it could be the first step to making your business more sustainable.
As a small business owner, your time and energy are your most valuable resources. Protecting them isn’t lazy, it’s essential. Instead of asking yourself "Have I worked enough to earn a rest, ask if you are well rested enough to do your best work"
So go ahead: plan your Big Day Off. Block it in, protect it, and give yourself the reset you deserve.
Your business (and your mental health) will thank you.
📲 Share your day off with #TheBigDayOff and tag me on Instagram @amandahughes.uk so I can celebrate with you!
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