Here’s how Monica Bradley, Founder of MB Associates, plans to use the festive season to recharge and reawaken her goals.
It’s the same every year. Christmas is portrayed as a season of joy and togetherness – and this can be true. But it can also be a time when we’re most depleted after a busy year. As a business owner, I know this only too well. After 12 months of managing the needs of clients, colleagues, family and friends, the festive season arrives. Instead of resting, I find myself racing around ensuring I have everything I need for festive gatherings at my home.
As the managing director of MB Associates, a thriving mortgage brokers in Surrey, I spend most of the year with a hectic schedule. My role entails helping clients, managing my team, leading the business, attending events and industry awards and overseeing the business. It’s constant and it’s hectic, and I love it. However, this year has been especially busy, with the opening of our new mortgage shop in Kingston and the growth of our team of mortgage advisers. It has been exciting, rewarding and exhausting at times.
Hard to switch off
So, you’d think that when Christmas finally arrives, I’d happily switch off. However, this rarely happens.
Even when our office is officially closed, I still tend to check my emails more than I should. I’ve never quite worked out whether this habit helps me relax knowing that there’s nothing urgent waiting for me in my inbox, or if it prevents me from completely unwinding. I do know that keeping an eye on things is reassuring. If a client urgently needs me, I’ll help if I can – so long as I’m not in the middle of carving the turkey.
Outside of work, Christmas doesn’t slow things down for me. I come from a large Irish family, and we have strong values around being together and celebrating special occasions as one. Hosting family and friends is very important to me. There’s always dinner, drinks, gatherings, get-togethers – my home is often full. I cherish these moments. But I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the perfect host and ensure that everyone is fed, watered and happy.
It seems I’m not alone. “Festive overwhelm” can be an issue for many women. A YouGov survey published last December revealed that 45% of Brits found Christmas stressful, while mums reported feeling the burden more than dads. Some 62% of mums said they felt the pressure, compared to just 44% of dads.
The key for me is to recognise that we often put pressure on ourselves. While I enjoy hosting, I also understand that down time is crucial.
For instance, I enjoy my regular workouts. I love weight training and usually squeeze in my workouts first thing before work. When I train over Christmas, I have more time to enjoy my sessions without feeling like I’m rushing them. A 2023 fitness report from PureGym found almost a 30% of people are most likely to reduce or stop their exercise in the run up to Christmas, but I’m not one of them. I value having more time to keep fit.
A time for reflection
While many people use Christmas to switch off, I find it a powerful time to reflect and think about what I really want.
Without the constant noise of business, I finally have the space to ask myself deeper questions:
– What worked for me this year and what didn’t?
– Where did I grow?
– What do I want my life and business to look like in the year ahead?
– Which habits, attitudes or approaches am I ready to lose?
– Where do I want to grow in future?
– How can I reinvent myself so that I can work more efficiently in future? (Next year I definitely want to master the art of delegation once and for all!)
Rebirth and new opportunities
For me, the festive season offers a sense of rebirth. The year is closing and a new one is opening, along with new opportunities. Life is short, so we have to grab it with both hands.
In the meantime, if you’re finding the Christmas season stressful, here’s some strategies that help keep me calm.
Know that it’s OK to be tired
Accepting you’re worn out rather than trying to be Superwoman allows you to make decisions that support your wellbeing instead of sabotaging it. Ask yourself what you really need this Christmas and if it’s more rest, then don’t be afraid to put your feet up.
Don’t try to be the perfect host
This is difficult one for me, but I have to remind myself that people will remember how they felt in my company, not whether my house looked like a show home. Don’t try to make everything perfect and you’ll enjoy yourself more.
Don’t be afraid to say no to offers
It’s natural to want to accept offers of meals out or drinks, but sometimes it’s best to stay home and recharge your batteries. Go ahead and politely decline that party invite if you’d rather rest.
Reflect on where you want to be next
The Christmas break isn’t just about rest – it gives you a chance to think about next year. What do you want to achieve? What goals or ambitions do you have and how will you achieve them?
In a nutshell, Christmas is a time to rethink, reimagine and – if need be – reinvent the way you want to live and work.
More Information
Monica Bradley is the founder and managing director of MB Associates, a multiple-award-winning mortgage broker with based in Surrey serving clients locally and nationwide for over 20 years. The company is the winner of the Feefo Exceptional Service award three years running and Monica is the winner of the 2025 Financial Reporter Women’s Recognition Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
For your free mortgage consultation, visit https://mbassociates.net/contact-us/ or call 020 8652 5240.
