Nobody gives you holiday as a freelancer — you have to take it. And taking it properly — in a way that actually lets you rest — requires more planning than it did when you had an employer. Here’s how to make it work.
Plan it in advance and tell clients early
Booking your leave well in advance — and telling clients as soon as you know — makes it far less disruptive. Two to three weeks notice for a week off is usually enough; more for longer breaks or if you have active projects. Most clients are completely fine with planned absence; they’re not fine with last-minute unavailability.
Build it into your pricing
Your day rate should account for the fact that you won’t work 52 weeks a year. If you’re taking four weeks’ holiday, that’s roughly 8 per cent of your working year. Factor it in — not as a specific deduction, but as part of understanding your true hourly and annual earnings. Freelancers who don’t account for this routinely underprice themselves.
Set a proper out-of-office
A clear out-of-office that states when you’re back and who to contact for urgent matters is professional and prevents the anxiety of wondering what you’re missing. Turn off notifications. You do not need to check email on holiday — and if you do, you haven’t actually taken the break your brain needs.
Complete or hand over before you go
The best way to properly switch off is to leave nothing urgent unresolved. Deliver or pause work before you leave, communicate clearly about what will happen while you’re away, and don’t leave clients in an uncertain position. The more complete things are when you go, the easier it is to actually rest.
The annual leave and capacity planner below helps you plan your leave for the year, communicate it to clients, and track how your availability affects your income planning.