As I write this, I’m sitting on the deck of a friend’s home in Naples, Florida. I’m here for a family friend’s Celebration of Life. I’m representing my husband’s side of the family because everyone else works and doesn’t have the flexibility to get away. I can hear the ocean in the distance and feel the calm breeze on my face. It’s peaceful, still, and exactly why I structure my business to allow this balancing of life.
Recently, I attended a women’s event where one mom shared her guilt about struggling with balancing work and family life. Her kids were home for spring break, and because she hadn’t planned ahead — no outings, no real connection, just screen time — she felt she had let them down. I felt that. My heart broke for her and her kids. I’ve been there.
When my son Andrew was younger, I intentionally decided to block off every Wednesday as his day. We called it “Andrew’s Day.” He got to choose what we did (within reason), and I left my laptop closed. Now that he’s older and working during the summer, Wednesdays have become my day, but the value of that intentional time still guides how I run my business.
🗓️ Pro Tip: Schedule Around Their Schedule
Here’s a simple tip that saved me from a lot of meltdowns (both mine and Andrew’s):
When you get the school calendar (typically in August), block out their days off as your days off. Add them to your work calendar immediately. That way, you’re not scrambling when you realize you’ve accidentally booked three client meetings when your child is off from school.
Did it work 100% of the time? Nope. But most of the time — yes. Even when I could only give him an afternoon, balancing my work and personal life showed him he mattered and taught him the value of flexibility and planning. I see the results of that in his driven and active life.
✅ 3 Steps for Balancing Time Off Without Letting Your Business Fall Apart
Step 1: Plan Ahead & Automate
Before you unplug, set your systems up to support you:
- ✅ Schedule Social Media Content: Use tools like Meta Business Suite, Later, or Planoly to keep your brand visible while you rest.
- ✅ Automate Client Communication: Set out-of-office replies and prep an FAQ page to handle common questions.
- ✅ Batch Your Content: Create blogs, emails, and posts in advance so you’re not scrambling the night before your trip.
Step 2: Delegate & Leverage Support
You don’t have to do everything yourself (even if you’re used to wearing all the hats).
- 👩💻 Hire a Virtual Assistant or AI Support: From inbox management to scheduling posts, you can get help that fits your budget and your workflow. Here are people I recommend as VAs.
- 📦 Prep Your Team (if you have one): Assign tasks, clarify priorities, and establish an “If this, then that” plan.
Step 3: Set Boundaries & Enjoy Your Time Off
Protect your peace — because you deserve a real break.
- 📵 Set Check-in Limits: Choose one window per day (or none at all!) to check in. Depending on my vacation, I either set aside time in the morning if I’m in the States, but if I’m on a cruise, I check emails and respond to emergencies at port. No, I do not get the wifi package. It takes some getting used to, but it is terrific when you embrace it. One time, I accidentally left my phone in the car when we went on a cruise – WOW – that was so refreshing.
- 💡 Communicate With Clients Ahead of Time: Let them know your schedule and who to contact while you’re away. I note this in my email above my signature and change the color so they can’t miss it. I usually add it at least 2 weeks before.
- 🌴 Trust Your Systems: You’ve prepared well — now enjoy the rest. Your business won’t break if you step away. In fact, it’ll likely grow stronger because you did.
💬 Real Business Owners Are Already Doing This
One of my clients recently shared:
“I was able to take a full week vacation without worrying about my content thanks to the simple, automated system Kimberly provides!”
That’s the magic of balancing planning ahead with giving yourself permission to step back — your business keeps serving your audience while you stay present in your life.
💛 Final Thoughts
Summer shouldn’t feel like a stress test. It should feel like a season of joy — of reconnecting with the people you love and remembering why you started this business in the first place.
You can take time off.
You can stay visible while resting.
And you can build a business that supports your life, not one that steals from it — all while balancing the things that matter most.
If you liked this article, don’t forget to check out: