Ep 12. Taking Time Off Without Losing Yourself (or Your Business)

In this episode, Elena and Erin pour a couple of local beers and settle into a conversation about travel, rest, and what it means to actually step away from your business as a coach or entrepreneur.

They start light, sharing stories of their brews (Block Three’s Blocktoberfest in Canada and a mysterious “Jersey Life” lager), Welsh pub adventures, and the strange psychology of beer versus gin. But the conversation soon deepens into something richer: how hard it can be for business owners to truly take time off, and what that reveals about our sense of identity and self-worth.

They explore how entrepreneurs often tie their value to productivity — and how that mindset can poison rest. Erin shares her ritual of leaving her laptop behind when she travels and what it took to finally feel like herself again on vacation. Elena reflects on the early days of working for herself and realizing how easy it is to forget to build rest into the business calendar when there’s no boss to approve time off.

Together they unpack:

• Why taking real time off is a form of leadership, not laziness

• How to plan your calendar to protect rest before burnout hits

• The difference between traveling and resting

• The creative myth of “the muse” and why true creativity can be scheduled

• What it means to model presence and embodiment for your clients

• How to navigate “non-restful” trips (like family visits or long-haul travel) without losing your grounding or momentum

Elena also shares her upcoming plans to travel to China with her husband’s family — a trip that’s both exciting and a break from building business momentum — and Erin offers strategies for preparing your business (and your mind) for time away that’s not exactly a vacation.

It’s a lively, honest exploration of how to create a healthy rhythm between your work, your creativity, and your humanity from two coaches learning to practice what they preach.

Listen if:

You struggle to unplug from your business, feel guilty taking time off, or secretly check your inbox while “on vacation.”

Connect:

Follow Elena and Erin on Instagram to share your favorite local beer and how you’re planning to take your next real break.

Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller "Superabound: Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming For You." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach.
Learn more at besuperabound.com 

Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can check out her free content here and learn more about coaching with her here.

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