It’s a Bank Holiday – Why Are You Working Today?

Wait… aren’t we supposed to be off?

It’s Monday morning. The sun is (hopefully) out. Your neighbour’s loading up the car for a trip to the beach, and your cousin’s posting smug photos of their BBQ prep on Instagram. And you? You’re opening your laptop, logging into your business emails, and wondering… why the heck am I working today?

It’s a bank holiday. Most people are off. So why are so many small business owners still working?

If that sounds like you, don’t worry — you’re not alone. But let’s have a proper chat about it, yeah?

What even is a bank holiday?

In the UK, a bank holiday is basically a public day off. The banks close, loads of offices shut, and for many people, it means a lie-in, a day out, or catching up on stuff at home.

But when you’re running your own business, especially a small one, it’s not that simple.

There’s no HR department telling you to take the day off. No timesheets, no clocking in or out. It’s just you, your to-do list, and the never-ending temptation to “just get one more thing done.”

Why small business owners don’t stop

Here’s the thing — when you run your own business, it can be really hard to take time off. And there are loads of reasons why you might be working today:

• You’ve got client deadlines and can’t afford to miss them.
• Your inbox is overflowing, and today’s a quiet day to catch up.
• Your business is new, and you feel like every day counts.
• You’re worried if you stop, the momentum will drop.
• You actually like what you do (weird, right?).

And yeah, all of that is fair. Totally understandable. But let’s flip the coin for a second.

Here’s why you probably *shouldn’t* be working

Look, no one’s saying you have to drop everything and head to the beach (unless that’s your thing, in which case, get your towel). But working every bank holiday, every weekend, every quiet moment — it’s not healthy. Seriously.

Here’s why:

1. Your brain needs a break

You’re not a robot. Even machines need a reboot sometimes. If you’re always on the go, your brain gets frazzled. And when you’re tired or stressed, your work suffers. Ideas don’t flow. Mistakes creep in. That blog post you were writing turns into a ramble (a bit like this one, maybe?).

Taking a proper day off can actually help your business. You’ll come back fresher, sharper, and ready to tackle things properly.

2. You set the tone for your business

If you’re a solo founder or running a small team, your habits affect everything. If your staff see you online every bank holiday, they’ll feel guilty taking time off. If your clients always get a reply in five minutes — even on Christmas Day — they’ll start expecting it.

Sometimes, stepping back teaches everyone around you that boundaries matter.

3. Burnout is real, mate

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Burnout is a real problem, especially for small business owners. You try to do everything — marketing, finance, customer service, admin — and there are only so many hours in the day.

Working every spare moment might feel productive, but long-term? It’s a fast track to exhaustion, believe me, I talk from experience here.

4. You started this business for freedom, right?

Remember that dream? The one where you quit your job, launched your own thing, and imagined long lunches and weekday lie-ins?

Where did that go?

If you’re working more hours now than you did in your 9-to-5, it might be time to ask yourself if the balance is off. Because freedom’s not just about money — it’s about time too.

But what if I *have* to work today?

Fair enough. Some businesses need to be open on bank holidays. Maybe you run a cafe, or an online shop with weekend orders. Maybe you’re a freelancer catching up after a busy week.

If that’s you, here are a few tips to make it feel a bit less grim:

1. Do half a day, not the full nine yards

Even a short break can make a difference. Can you work 9 to 12, then take the rest of the day off? Go for a walk. Watch a film. Sit in the garden with a cold drink. Don’t let the whole day disappear into spreadsheets.

2. Choose your own ‘day off’ instead

Who says your weekend has to be Saturday and Sunday? If you work on a bank holiday Monday, maybe take Tuesday afternoon off instead. Your business, your rules.

3. Make it cosy

If you *have* to be at your desk, make it nice. Put on music. Grab your favourite snacks. Light a candle. Sometimes a little vibe goes a long way.

Guilt-free chilling: you’ve earned it

Let’s be honest. Half the reason we work on bank holidays is guilt. We feel lazy if we stop. Or we worry we’re falling behind.

But listen — doing nothing is part of doing well.

Rest is productive. Breaks are strategic. And time off isn’t a reward — it’s a right. If you’re running your own business, you don’t need anyone’s permission to take a day off. So give it to yourself.

How to stop feeling bad about taking time off

If you’re one of those people who *needs* to be busy (you know who you are), here are a few ways to make it easier to switch off:

1. Write a quick “done” list

Not a to-do list. A “done” list. Jot down everything you’ve already achieved this week. You’ll realise you’ve earned that break.

2. Set an out-of-office message

Even if you’re self-employed, pop on an auto-reply that says you’re away for the day. It stops you checking your inbox every 10 minutes.

3. Tell someone you’re taking a break

It sounds silly, but if you say “I’m off today” out loud — to a mate, a partner, your cat — it helps you commit to it.

4. Plan something fun

Don’t just sit and stare at your phone, feeling guilty. Go do something. Meet a mate. Go for a bike ride. Bake brownies. Whatever works.

What if I love working?

Some people genuinely love their work, and that’s brilliant. If you enjoy it, and it doesn’t stress you out — crack on.

But ask yourself this: are you working because you really want to, or because you feel you *should*?

Loving your job is fab. Being chained to it isn’t.

Let’s be real for a sec

This post isn’t here to make you feel bad. You’re running a business, and that’s tough. You’ve got responsibilities, bills to pay, clients to keep happy. And sometimes, bank holidays are just another Monday.

But now and then, you’ve got to hit pause. You’ve got to breathe. Eat a nice sandwich. Watch some telly. Hug your kids, your partner, your dog.

Because life isn’t just work. And even the most successful business can’t replace rest, peace of mind, or time with people you love.

So, go on. Clock off early.

Even if it’s just for today. Shut the laptop. Turn off the notifications. Stick your feet up. You deserve it.

And hey — your inbox will still be there tomorrow.

Final thoughts

If you’ve read this far, here’s your permission slip to take a break. It’s okay to rest. In fact, it’s smart. You don’t need to earn it, prove it, or schedule it three months in advance.

It’s a bank holiday. Take the hint.

Go enjoy it — your business will thank you later.