If you’re anything like me, December arrives with a mix of relief and exhaustion. Running a consulting business that supports non-profits means the year is full of deadlines, client meetings, and the constant pressure to build a business. And this year has been a lot! We have re-focused, re-branded, re-worked our core service offering, re-structured our team and a whole lot more!

We definitely need a break, but it shouldn’t be a slow slide into too much doom-scrolling. Structuring your holiday well will mean that you start the new year feeling rested and ready. Here are some thoughts to consider:

– Close as many loops as possible: things that haven’t been ticked off the to-do list for ages, open browser tabs, incomplete projects, unanswered WhatsApps or emails… all these things are open loops that your brain is unconsciously keeping track of. This mental burden is one of the largest contributors to exhaustion. So close as many loops as you can before you go on leave. Maybe some can be deleted off the to-do list entirely. Anything that can’t be closed should be allocated time in the new year so that you can switch off your brain’s tracking process until that time arrives.

– Rest isn’t just about taking time off; it’s about recharging intentionally: rest comes in many forms. We need to intentionally connect with rest in multiple ways. For example, mix physical rest (catch up on sleep, take walks), mental rest (limit decisions, unplug from social media), creative rest (playful activities), social rest (spend time with energising people), and spiritual rest (quiet reflection or gratitude practices).

– Celebrate the past and plan for the future: when we feel like we’ve raced through the year, now is a good time to pause. Consider what mattered most, what drained your energy, where you grew, and what surprised you this year. Celebrate the achievements and the progress. Use the enthusiasm as motivation to set a few key priorities for the first quarter of the year so that you start the year with clarity.

Leaders set the tone by modelling healthy boundaries, setting priorities, and celebrating progress. May your holiday be restorative, and may you return in January with clarity, energy, and renewed purpose.