Learning to Truly Take Time Off: My Journey from Workaholic Tendencies to Rest and Presence

In this episode, I shared an experience that might resonate with many high-achieving women: learning to actually take a break. Not a “catch-up on work” break. Not a “reorganize all the things” break. A real, restorative, soul-filling break.

My History with “Time Off” That Isn’t Really Time Off

For the past eight years, I’ve taken the same week off in the summer around my birthday. On paper, it’s a vacation. In reality? I’ve always worked, just in different ways.

No client sessions, but plenty of content creation, catching up on projects, taking courses, and filling my schedule with tasks that still kept my brain in “work mode.” It was less rest and more “maintenance mode,” keeping me busy without giving my body and mind the downtime they craved.

This year, I decided it had to be different. I wanted to learn what it really meant to step back. That meant no client work, no content batching, and ideally, no emails. Just space to breathe, recharge, and allow myself to be.

Recognizing Workaholic Patterns as a Nervous System Response

I never used to call myself a workaholic. I thought I was just “productive.” But when I reflected deeper, I realized that constant productivity was often a nervous system response, a way to avoid slowing down, a coping mechanism to manage discomfort or uncertainty.

There’s a difference between doing something because it’s aligned and fulfilling, and doing it because you feel pressured to keep moving. My work that week was to release that pressure.

Still, in the days leading up to my birthday week off, I felt a strong pull toward my usual patterns. I wanted to plan content, dive into courses, and “use my time off productively.” Even though my to-do list for the week was intentionally free from work-related items, my mind kept reaching for something to fill the space.

By midweek, I finally began to feel more at peace with having that openness in my schedule. But I won’t lie, by Friday I was already thinking, “Only one more day until I can work again.”

The Pressure of “Not Being There Yet”

Part of my drive comes from a lifelong feeling of needing to “catch up.” At 33, I still catch myself thinking about all the things I haven’t yet achieved... owning my dream home, paying off my car, building the exact business I envision, starting a family.

It’s easy to rush toward these milestones, but I’ve learned that reaching one goal just creates the next. As ambitious, goal-oriented people, we have to remind ourselves that the only real time we have is now.

Being present doesn’t mean letting go of ambition, it means balancing it with an appreciation for where we are in this moment. That balance is where peace and creativity flourish.

How Taking Space Boosted My Creativity

One of the biggest surprises from my week off was how much creativity flowed when I wasn’t forcing myself to produce. By not filling every moment with work, I gave my brain and body the space they needed to rest, reflect, and generate new ideas naturally.

I also became more aware of my physical and emotional needs. I could tell I was tired. I needed to recharge. And because I wasn’t stuck in “go” mode, I actually had the capacity to process the thoughts and feelings that came up during the week.

What My Week Looked Like in Practice

Monday: A Slow Start

The week began with a holiday here in Canada, so I spent the day with my boyfriend... resting, relaxing, and easing into this new approach to time off.

Tuesday: Clearing Space

I deep-cleaned my room, purged old belongings, shredded papers from my thesis, and let go of outdated jewelry and makeup. Then I took a trip to HomeSense to pick up some organizational pieces.

That night, I broke my usual early-bedtime routine to start a movie at 8:45 PM, something I normally wouldn’t do, but it felt freeing to not have to “function” for work the next morning.

Wednesday: Simple Joys and New Insights

I had a personal appointment, bought books, visited a crystal store, and did laundry. Spending money brought up some financial pressure for me, but the beauty of having the week off was that I had the space to notice and process those feelings without rushing past them.

Thursday: Family Time

I drove a couple of hours to visit my sister, her kids, and her husband. It felt wonderful not to be watching the clock or worrying about when I needed to get home.

Friday: A Spiritual Reset

Coinciding with the Lion’s Gate 8/8 portal, and just days after my August 2nd birthday, I spent the day creating a crystal grid, cleansing my space and energy, and setting intentions for the year ahead. It felt like the perfect moment to align my spiritual practices with my personal and professional goals.

Weekend: Gentle Reentry

By Saturday and Sunday, I allowed myself to do a little work, mainly preparing for a busy week ahead. But the work felt different, lighter, more inspired, because I’d given myself space earlier in the week.

Even on the Monday holiday at the start of my time off, I had two coaching calls (as a client), and those sessions sparked a wave of creativity and fresh ideas for my own business.

The Big Lesson: Rest Fuels Growth

Taking that time off showed me something important: I don’t have to be working constantly for my business to grow.

That week, new clients booked with me, based on actions I had taken before my break. My energy felt lighter and more magnetic, and I was more productive when I did work. I also noticed how easy it is, especially in service-based businesses, to give and give without replenishing yourself.

If we want long-term success, creativity, and fulfillment, we have to give ourselves the same space and care we give to others.

Breaking the Busy Cycle

The constant need to “do” is often tied to our nervous system, specifically the fight response. It’s that busy-but-not-anxious feeling where your mind is always ticking, your to-do list is never done, and your body is on alert.

Learning to step out of that state can feel uncomfortable at first. But as I experienced, nothing falls apart if you take a break. In fact, sometimes the opposite happens, more opportunities, more clarity, more ease.

So if you find yourself resonating with this pattern, I encourage you to experiment. Start small:

• Take one day to fully unplug.

• Spend a weekend doing only things that bring you joy.

• Let yourself lose track of time.

Notice how you feel. Notice what shifts in your creativity, energy, and overall happiness.

Moving Forward

This was a powerful reminder that rest is not wasted time, it’s an essential part of growth. The more I prioritize space in my life, the more inspired, aligned, and resilient I feel in my work.

If you’re curious about your own nervous system patterns, I have a free quiz that can help you identify your dominant state, fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Once you take it, you’ll also be able to listen to the corresponding podcast episode where I share more about how to work with your unique patterns.

You can also connect with me on Instagram for daily insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes content. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic and whether you’ve tried giving yourself true time off.

Here’s to creating more space... for rest, for creativity, and for joy.