Summer Friday: Your Guide to Guilt Free Time Off

What Exactly is Summer Friday?

Summer Friday is a workplace policy where employees get to leave early or take the entire Friday off during summer months, typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day. While this concept started in corporate America as a way to boost morale during those gorgeous summer months, smart small business owners are realizing something important: if it's good enough for Fortune 500 companies, why aren't we giving ourselves the same perk?

Think about it – one of the biggest reasons you became your own boss was flexibility, right? So why are so many of us still chained to the traditional 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday grind like we're still working for someone else?

The Personal Wellbeing Benefits That Actually Matter

Boosting Your Own Morale (Because Who Else Will?)

Let's be honest – running a small business can feel like an emotional roller coaster designed by someone who clearly doesn't like you very much. One day you're celebrating a big win, the next you're wondering why you ever thought leaving your stable job was a good idea.

Summer Fridays give you something concrete to look forward to each week. It's like having a built-in reward system that doesn't depend on hitting sales targets or landing new clients. When you know that extra time is coming, it's easier to push through the tough Tuesday when your website crashes or power through the overwhelming Wednesday when three clients all need "urgent" revisions.

Avoiding Burnout Before It Finds You

Here's the thing about burnout – it doesn't announce itself with a formal invitation. It sneaks up on you slowly, disguised as "just being tired" or "having a rough week." Before you know it, you're staring at your computer screen wondering why the work you used to love feels like pushing a boulder uphill.

Summer Fridays act as a weekly pressure release valve. They force you to step away before you hit that wall, giving your mind and body regular opportunities to reset. Think of it as preventive maintenance for your mental health – much easier than trying to recover from full burnout later.

As women entrepreneurs, we're especially guilty of this. We push ourselves harder than we'd ever push an employee, work longer hours than we'd ever expect from our team, and feel guilty about taking breaks that we'd actively encourage others to take.

Clearing the Mental Cobwebs

Have you ever noticed that your best business ideas never come when you're actively trying to solve a problem? They show up in the shower, during a walk with your dog, or while you're mindlessly weeding your garden. There's actual science behind this – your brain needs downtime to process information and make new connections.

When you're constantly in "go mode," your mind doesn't have space to wander, explore, and stumble upon those "aha!" moments that can transform your business. Summer Fridays give your brain permission to relax, which often leads to breakthrough thinking about challenges that seemed impossible from behind your desk.

Family and Personal Time: Your Secret Weapon

Here's something they don't teach you in business school: your personal relationships aren't separate from your business success – they're fundamental to it. When you're mentally and emotionally healthy, you show up differently for your customers, make clearer decisions, and have the energy to pursue growth opportunities.

Family time and personal relationships provide the emotional support system that sustains you through the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship. These connections remind you why you're working so hard in the first place and give you perspective when business challenges feel overwhelming.

Your mental wellbeing isn't a luxury – it's a business necessity. You can't pour from an empty cup, and your business needs you operating at your best, not running on fumes and caffeine.

Starting Your Summer Friday Tradition (Without the Guilt)

Ready to give yourself this gift? Here's how to start without feeling like you're abandoning your business:

• Start Small: Begin with leaving just a few hours early on Fridays. Maybe wrap up at 2 PM instead of 6 PM. Test the waters and see how it feels.

• Set Clear Boundaries: Let your clients know about your Summer Friday schedule upfront. Most people respect boundaries when they're communicated clearly and professionally.

• Plan Ahead: Use Thursday to tie up loose ends and prepare for the following week. This helps quiet that nagging voice that says you "should" be working.

• Embrace the Guilt, Then Let It Go: You're going to feel guilty at first – that's normal. Acknowledge the feeling, then remind yourself that taking care of yourself is taking care of your business.

Permission to Rest

• As members of the SheEO Marketing community, we understand the unique pressures of being women entrepreneurs. We're often trying to prove ourselves, support our families, and build something meaningful – all while society tells us we should be grateful just to have the opportunity.

• But here's your permission slip: You deserve rest. You deserve time with your family. You deserve to enjoy the summer weather without feeling guilty about it. Your business will not only survive your Summer Fridays – it will thrive because of them.

• This summer, give yourself the gift of time. Your future self, your family, and yes, even your business will thank you for it.

Ready to connect with other women entrepreneurs who understand the importance of sustainable business practices? Join us at our next SheEO Marketing event on June 26 and share how you're implementing Summer Fridays in your business.