Taking Time Out as a Freelance Interior Designer

Running my own design business has been one of the best decisions I’ve made, but it comes with a familiar list of worries. One that kept needling at me last year was the idea of taking proper time off. When you’re freelance, every day feels like it counts. There’s always something to finish, someone waiting on an update, or a quiet fear that stepping away will undo the momentum you’ve worked hard to build. The thought of a two week cruise felt almost reckless.

Even so, I booked a P&O cruise two years ago and it quickly arrived, how was it even November already??? As the date came closer, the nerves ramped up. I kept thinking "maybe I should cancel it and keep working", or "just work through it whilst on the ship". But I didn’t, and to be honest I’m glad I didn’t. At last, the dreamy trip of seeing the Canary Islands, Spain, and Portugal was here.

Once the ship left port, the stress started to fall away. Being out at sea played a big part in that. With barely any signal, I was completely uncontactable for stretches of time. At first it felt uncomfortable, almost like I was doing something wrong. Then it became freeing. No messages, no last-minute requests, no temptation to check emails “just in case”. It forced me to switch off properly, and I needed that more than I realised.

By the time we reached Gran Canaria, the warm weather had already done its job. There’s something about stepping out into proper sunshine that resets your whole mood. Strolling along the waterfront, feeling the heat, and enjoying a slower pace reminded me how tense I’d been without noticing.

Seville was a real highlight. The city is stunning — the tiled courtyards, the narrow streets, the sheer scale of the cathedral, the way the light falls on the buildings in late afternoon. It’s one of those places that pulls you in straight away. I couldn’t help taking plenty of photos, partly for the inspiration and partly because it was impossible not to.

Lisbon had its own charm. The hills, the old trams rumbling through the streets, and the faded colours of the buildings gave the whole place a relaxed, lived-in feel. It’s the sort of city where you wander without a plan and still find something interesting on every corner. I

came away with a head full of ideas without even trying.

The trip also gave me something I’d been missing: proper time with family. No rushing, no juggling messages, no pretending to listen while thinking about a deadline. Just time together, which is something that disappears far too easily when work gets busy.

And, most importantly, it taught me a simple lesson — taking leave is fine. Nothing collapsed while I was gone. Clients didn’t vanish. The business carried on, exactly as it should. When I got back, I felt sharper and more grounded, rather than drained and stretched thin.

Being freelance sometimes feels like you need to earn your breaks, but you don’t. You need them to stay creative, stay focused, and stay yourself. Those two weeks away reminded me of that, and I’m already planning the next trip with far less hesitation. To all my other freelancers in the industry, how did you feel when you took your first holiday while being self-employed? Drop a message in the comments and let's discuss.