February is going to be a big month for me, I’m turning 40. And rather than treating it as just another birthday, I’ve decided to make this a proper Birthday Year.
Let’s be honest: girls don’t just have a birthday, they have a birthday week, or even a birthday month. Drag it out for as long as possible, cake multiple times, celebrate in all the ways. I think I might have officially topped them all with Birthday Year. Why limit the celebration to a single day when you can treat yourself for 12 whole months?
If I’m honest, the past 12 years of working for myself have been… relentless. I’ve hardly taken a proper holiday. In fact, so far this year, I’ve had just one week off. One week. That’s not sustainable, and it’s been a long time since I really paused, and actually lived. I can’t take a sabbatical because I wouldn’t end up with any clients left, but I can make sure I carve out time for myself.
So here’s the plan: one week off every month. That week might be spent traveling, going on day trips, or working on projects at home that have been sitting on the back burner for far too long. The beauty of being self-employed is that I get to design my own calendar, and I feel incredibly lucky that my clients are so supportive – they genuinely don’t mind me taking this time.
This year isn’t about Instagram-worthy adventures (though I won’t say no if one comes along). It’s about actually living my life, whether that’s wandering around the UK, getting lost in a new city abroad, or simply tackling that pile of DIY at home. Work-life balance is something I’ve been neglecting, and it’s time to change that. Life’s too short. As my sister and I always say: “you can always make more money, but you can’t make more time”.
I’m already starting to think about all the trips and days out I want to do this year. From weekend escapes to the Scottish Highlands, coastal walks in Cornwall, or a spontaneous city break in Europe, the options feel endless. And of course, there’s the simple joy of discovering local gems closer to home. I love a museum trip or a wander round an art gallery.
Turning 40 is a milestone, but I don’t want to mark it with just a party. I want to celebrate by taking control of my time.
If you’ve got any suggestions for UK escapes or travel abroad – places that are beautiful, interesting, or just feel like a proper reset – I’d love to hear them.
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