August 27th, 2026

WHEN DO WE STOP WORKING SO HARD?
Someone prompted me online today with one of those questions: “What are you working on right now?”
I like engaging online as I think it is good for visibility, good for business and good for staying connected to people. So I replied honestly that I usually take August off every year but this year I have been busier than ever and haven’t been able to stick to my usual routine.
Since becoming self-employed in 2008 there has rarely been a moment when I haven’t had something on the go. A project, a magazine feature, an event, a press trip a PR client, an idea or another hairbrain scheme that somehow becomes another project
And today’s prompt got me thinking, When am I actually going to stop?
And  more importantly, when am I going to stop feeling as though I have to justify doing something nice for myself?
For years I’ve been the sort of person who needed something booked in the diary. Before I moved to Cyprus I always needed flights booked somewhere so I had a goal to look forward to. It was my reward for something that made all the hard work feel worthwhile. In November, I’m going on a huge bucket-list holiday that’s breaking my fuck-it budget and naturally, I’m already doing what I always do.I’m working hard now so I can justify it.Tell me it’s not just me that feels like we have to justify and earn every bit of enjoyment?
Why can't we simply say, “ I want to do this so I’m going to.”
I’m currently in the middle of downsizing my life and it’s making me look at everything in a new way. Possessions and priorities have seen a big shift. Material things just don't matter to me anymore. I want experiences not another outfit to cram in my wardrobe.
There is another thought that keeps coming back to me. I have lived more years on this planet than I have left so the question I don’t want to be asked isn't “How much more can I achieve?” but “How do I actually want to spend the years I have left?”
There is so much more to life than work.
There are my children, holidays, good food, friendS, sunshine, laUghter and waking up without an alarm, spontaneity, adventures and curiosity. Yet for so many of us who are self-employed, work becomes part of our identity and our blue print and everything I just listed just evaoprates into another bucket list.
We tell ourselves we’ll slow down when we've achieved the next thing. When the business is bigger.When the next project is finished.When we've made a certain amount of money.
When the house is sorted. When the children are older.When everything is finally under control.But it’s the same old story of people thinking when they reach a certain milestone they will be happy. But happiness is not a destination, it is a feeling. Which is why so many sucessful people are still miersable becasue when they reach that goal they’re looking for the next hit.
There will always always another deadline, another email and another reason to keep hustling if that is what you’re looking for it
And at what point does ambition become obsession? When do we realise that working harder isn't necessarily the same as living better? I don't think I have the answer yet but I have financial freedom so I can slow down but I don’t want to. I have at least 20 years ot agility left so I am not shuffling off to the garden centre yet. I love what I do. I love creating things, building brands, meeting people, having ideas and watching those ideas become reality. I genuinely don't think I'll ever become someone who happily sits around doing nothing.
 I don't have to stop working but maybe I just have to stop justifying living and feeling guilty for it. I mean I have worked my ass off so....
Maybe the trip in November doesn't have to be a reward for working myself into the ground and it’s just me enjoying this stage of my life because life isn't a business plan and there is no final deadline. I don’t need to earn my life, I’m already living it and I am fortunate to have created a fabulous dual lifestyle to enjoy the benefits of both Cyprus and Liverpool. I have a great lifestyle so I may as well bloody well enjoy it.

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