Let’s be real—taking time off when you work for yourself sounds dreamy… until you actually try to do it.

You start picturing relaxing mornings, time with your family, and finally soaking in the life you’ve worked so hard to build. But then the to-do list hits. The unanswered emails. The client needs. The content calendar. And suddenly, your “vacation” starts looking a lot like working from a different time zone.

I’ve felt that tension before. But this summer? I’m doing things differently.

We’re packing up our family of six and heading to Europe—Germany (where I was born and raised), Switzerland, and Italy—for two full weeks. It’s not a work trip. It’s not a business retreat. It’s an actual vacation with my husband and all four of our kids. And I’m doing everything I can right now to make sure I can actually be present while we’re there.

If you’ve ever struggled to truly unplug as an entrepreneur, or if you’re planning your own time off soon, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m preparing for a break that’s both peaceful and productive.

Planning Ahead: The Secret to Truly Enjoying Time Off

Every December, I sit down and plan out my entire year. It’s a ritual I look forward to, and it helps me approach my business with intention rather than urgency.

Because of that, I already know what work needs to happen week by week—and when we finalized our trip, I immediately started shifting my workload. Instead of trying to cram everything in last-minute, I’ve been slowly building the two weeks of work I’d normally do into the month prior.

Yes, it’s a little more effort upfront. But it’s so worth it when you can walk into vacation with your shoulders relaxed instead of hunched over your laptop.

Batching Content and Pre-Scheduling to Stay Visible

One of my biggest strategies? Pre-scheduling content in advance so my business stays consistent while I’m offline.

I’ve been batching blog posts, writing newsletters, and loading them into my scheduler so they go out while I’m away. That way, everything keeps flowing—without me needing to lift a finger or send one last email from the airport lounge.

It’s not about being everywhere at once. It’s about being strategic with your time. Do the work early, so you can rest when it really counts.

Letting Social Media Be Real Life (Not Just Business)

When it comes to social, I’m not overthinking it.

There’s no big campaign or content strategy for my trip. I’ll simply be sharing real-life moments—photos from Germany, scenes from the mountains in Switzerland, little updates from our family adventures.

I think sometimes we forget that people want to see the human behind the brand. They don’t expect you to be in launch mode 24/7. Sometimes, letting them in on the behind-the-scenes of your life builds more connection than any curated post ever could.

Unplugging Fully: Why I’m Saying No to Work While Away

Here’s the part I’m most excited about—and the one that takes the most discipline: I’m unplugging.

No emails. No Slack. No quick “one last thing” moments that pull me out of the present.

This trip is incredibly meaningful to me. Not just because it’s Europe (though I’ll never say no to fresh pasta and an Alps view), but because it’s deeply personal. I haven’t been back to Germany in years. My mother’s entire side of the family still lives there, and bringing my husband and all four of our kids to experience that part of my story is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.

If I’m taking time off, I want to actually be off. I want to soak up every minute. And that means saying a big, brave no to work while I’m gone.

Helpful Tips for Business Owners Planning a Break

Want to take your own unplugged vacation? Here are a few extra tips that have helped me:

• Use a project management tool (Airtable is my go to) to track what needs to get done before you leave.
• Set up an autoresponder that shares helpful links or lets people know when you’ll be back.
• Communicate early with any clients or team members, so there are no surprises.
• Test your systems—if you automate anything, make sure it’s running smoothly before you go.
• Ask yourself “what would really happen if this didn’t get done?” You might find the answer is… absolutely nothing.

One of the things I love most about working for myself is the freedom I have to create a schedule that works for me.

Over the years, we’ve traveled full-time, spent years living in Hawaii, and now that we’re settled in New England, this trip feels like a new kind of dream. A chance to not just build a life—but live it.

And honestly? I haven’t fully unplugged like this in a long, long time. It feels good to work toward rest. To plan for space. To trust my business enough to let it run without me for a while.

If you’ve been stuck in hustle mode, maybe this is your reminder that time off isn’t just okay—it’s essential. You built this life for a reason. Don’t forget to enjoy it.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Have a trip coming up? Or maybe you’re dreaming of more time off but unsure how to make it happen? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below or come say hi on Instagram @elenaringeisen—I’ll be sharing some sweet family moments from Europe, and I’d love to cheer you on, too.

Here’s to building a business that gives you life—not one that drains it.