Image licensed via Adobe Stock
You need a break… so don’t waste your time off because you didn’t prepare! Follow our easy tips for closing down the year with precision, peace, and professional prowess.
Christmas is coming… isn’t that great? Unfortunately, this is a sentence you rarely hear creative professionals say. Because while we all love a holiday, the final weeks of the year can feel like a high-wire balancing act. As deadlines loom, client requests pile up, and managing your workload becomes a massive pain.
Just when you’re supposed to be chilling out and having fun, this pressure can be overwhelming. At the same time, you’re being invited to multiple parties, which would be fantastic at any other time of year. But right now, you just can’t properly enjoy them with all that work looming over you.
But what if you could approach the end of the year in a calm and collected way? To help you achieve that, we’ve drawn up a blueprint for navigating the professional wind-down with grace and intentionality.
Drawing from the insights of seasoned creatives who’ve mastered the art of year-end workflow management, we’ll share practical strategies to help you smoothly transition from work mode to festive relaxation.
1. Ruthless prioritisation is your best friend
Let’s face it: sometimes, getting everything done before Christmas Eve is impossible. So what should you do?
In a hospital’s casualty wing, patients don’t get seen in turn, but depending on how serious and life-threatening their injuries are. And while this might seem like a strange metaphor, triaging your workload in the same way can be very effective.
Writer Ryan Melsom describes this as: “Ruthless prioritisation of the must-dos, setting realistic expectations on the nice-to-dos, being okay with the did-not-dos, and recognising they can look way easier after a good break.”
To achieve this in practice, simply:
Create a comprehensive list of ongoing projects
Categorise tasks as Absolutely essential (must complete before holidays) / Can be postponed to January / Non-critical tasks that can be deprioritised
2. Set crystal-clear client expectations
Even if you’ve completed all your work, that doesn’t always mean a stress-free holiday period. So communication is key to ensuring you won’t be bothered by anyone.
Erik Herrström, founder and director at Studio Herrström, offers a good example to follow. “We’re being ultra-clear to clients about which dates the office will be closed,” he explains. “Then there is plenty of time to plan around. For internal projects, we try to be realistic and prioritise what can be completed before we close down versus what needs to wait until next year.”
Branding designer Sophie O’Connor adds: “Never take on any big projects in December, push them back to January. Be super clear on your finishing day. I usually use my kids’ last day at school as a way to ensure I finish on time.”
Here are some more practical strategies to follow.
Send a detailed holiday availability email to all clients
Update your email signature with out-of-office dates
Establish a clear cut-off date for new project inquiries
Set an automatic email responder explaining your holiday schedule
3. Leverage checklists and automation
When the workload seems overwhelming, it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand (or, at the Christmas parties, in a bottle). But it’s far better to simply take a 10-minute break, draw a few deep breaths, and consider how to tackle the problem calmly or rationally.
Usually, the solution will sound something like the old joke, “How do you eat a whale?” (Answer: “One bite at a time.”)
As software company Manifestly says:. “We recommend wrapping up projects with clear, actionable checklists to ensure nothing gets left behind. By automating repetitive tasks and breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, you can enjoy your holiday break without the stress of unfinished work. Planning ahead with organised checklists can be a game-changer for a smooth and stress-free end to the year.”
Some techniques to consider include:
Create comprehensive project completion checklists
Use automation tools for repetitive administrative tasks
Implement workflow management software
Set up templates for common end-of-year processes
4. Digital housekeeping and organisation
Do you ever find it difficult to enjoy time off because you’re stressed about all the work you have to do when you return? One method to make you feel better can be to do a digital declutter before you head out on your holidays.
Designer Yvie Ormsby offers an excellent model for this. “I do an annual End of Year Wipe!” she enthuses. “It’s been essential for a good switch off in Dec and kick start in Jan.” Here’s what’s on her to-do list:
Archive emails
Move files from the laptop to an external hard drive
Organise cloud documents
Unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters
Sort download folders
Refresh productivity tools like Notion
Similarly, illustrator Francesca Grech likes to keep time free for the kind of administrative tasks that generally weigh on creatives’ minds. “I try to set deadlines for the first two weeks of December in the hopes of being able to have the rest of December free to wind down before the festivities and close up any pending bookkeeping and admin tasks,” she explains. “I also try to postpone any big projects to the new year, where possible. I feel like I can start a new project better with a clear mindset in the new year.”
5. Mental preparation and self-care
Aside from all the practical things you need to do, remember you’re not a machine and always prioritise your mental health.
Illustrator and designer Kohenoor Kamal offers a great example. Back on 26 November, she told us: “I’ve started winding down work-wise the past month or so, just so it doesn’t feel like a sudden jolt to stop everything I’m working on. As someone used to chronically overworking, I’ve been introducing ways of including self-care into my work life. It’s definitely helped.”
Here are some strategies to help you wind down holistically:
Start reducing workload incrementally
Schedule reflection time
Set realistic personal and professional goals for the new year
Practice mindfulness techniques
Ensure adequate rest and recovery
6. Give yourself permission to relax
Ultimately, the main reason some of us never manage to enjoy holidays is that we’ve become trapped in a mindset that we need to be constantly working, or something bad will happen. Deep down, we know the opposite is true. Overcoming work addiction is vital to rebalancing our lives and achieving an inner sense of peace and calm.
Once you achieve that, you’ll be in a position similar to the likes of Louisa Tan of Common Exception. “I’ve just wrapped up my final workshops and talks for the year, and I’ve made a point of scheduling all new projects for January,” she told us on 26 November. “This intentional pause is giving me a chance to breathe and reflect after an incredibly busy period since summer. With this space, I’m focusing on personal projects that have been on the back burner, including a long-overdue refresh of my website, and setting myself up for a great start to 2025. Future me will be thankful!”
Remember, the holiday period is not just about completing work but also about creating space for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation. By implementing these strategies, you’ll not only wrap up your professional commitments efficiently but also set yourself up for a refreshed and inspired start to the new year.
