Sunshine, Teenagers and Tradesmen
Self Employed and Navigating Summer
Summer in Northern Ireland is glorious - when the sun shines - and we all want to make the most of it. I live on the north coast and when the weather app forecasts a sunny day, you can be sure I am planning a beach walk or even a sea dip.
But if you are self-employed and working from home, summer can also bring its own set of challenges. At Parley, both Deirdre and I are living it right now: teenagers at home, ongoing house renovations, and a steady stream of tradesmen knocking the door.
The focus required is not always easy to find.
We’ve both found ourselves juggling client work while chasing builders for updates, answering teenage requests for money, food or lifts, and working from bedrooms because our home offices are temporarily out of action. Let’s be honest, that “healthy work-life separation” everyone talks about is not quite happening in the Parley households!
And it’s not just us, because summer looks different for our clients too. Staff holidays, reduced capacity in teams, and less time to dedicate to communications means projects can slow down. The rhythm of work changes whether we like it or not.
So, what do we do? Do we fret and worry? Do we frantically run around trying to keep every ball in the air, while still attempting to grab a bit of summer sun and rest? Yes! That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, before I got a grip of myself and remembered that every summer looks like this.
Here’s what I’m slowly learning over the years -the answer is planning and acceptance.
1. Accept that summer is different
You can’t do it all and keep your sanity. Instead of fighting against the season, build in flexibility. Recognise that during July and August, meetings take longer to pin down, response times slow, and distractions increase. That’s not failure, it’s just summer.
2. Plan ahead (before summer hits)
Start those conversations with clients about the summer months early in the year. Be realistic about what’s achievable for everyone when resources are stretched. Plot key deadlines and identify what can be paused or scaled back until September.
3. Adjust your communications rhythm
Don’t be a slave to a rigid social media calendar during July and August. Instead, lean into more organic content – we find that behind-the-scenes glimpses, real-time updates, and posts that reflect the season work well. Share what’s authentic rather than forcing high-effort campaigns that don’t match your or your clients’ summer capacity.
4. Give yourself grace
Sometimes you’ll answer a client email from your bedroom because tradesmen are sanding floors downstairs. Sometimes you’ll pause a Teams call because your teenager needs a lift. That’s life. And it’s OK.
And when it all gets a bit much, I have great clients close by who let me use their office and it’s a God send. If you haven’t got that option, the local coffee shop can be a welcome change of scene.
At Parley, we believe that planning and a dose of summer honesty can help take the pressure off. Work continues, but it does so alongside our real lives - in our building site homes with grumpy teenagers lurking in the background. And when we accept that, we can keep delivering for our clients while also grabbing a bit of sunshine (when it appears).
Because September will be here soon enough.
If you’re juggling similar challenges this summer, we see you! If you are anywhere near the north coast, give me a shout and maybe we can grab a cuppa, a chat or even a walk together to clear our heads.
Danielle.