This question really hits home. My partner works in electrical and is usually on call right up until the day before Christmas. In past years, that made it hard to ever fully “switch off” because there was always the possibility of a last-minute call.
I’ll admit, it took me a bit to get used to it at first. “What do you mean you have to be asleep by 7 PM the day before Christmas??” 🥲
What’s been different this year is that his boss clearly set expectations early. No last-minute calls, and convos this year shifted towards holiday plans instead. That clarity alone made a huge difference mentally.
A takeaway for me: whether you’re an owner or part of a team, setting clear boundaries ahead of time helps everyone actually enjoy time off. Even small signals—like confirming coverage or talking about celebrations—can help people mentally step away without guilt.