I've worked everyday for three weeks straight at Bath Christmas Market.

Today? I’m exhausted—burnt out, yes—but also deeply touched and inspired.

Here’s a recap of the week—what I learned, the challenges I faced, and the moments that made it all worth it.

My Daily Routine

The alarm blared at 7:50 am every morning.

I’d drive to Bath, park 30 minutes away to avoid the £15 parking fee, and walk briskly to the market, ready to open by 10 am.

A stop at the supermarket, to grab lunch supplies and oat milk for samples—and a visit to a new independent coffee shop for a brief, sweet moment of calm before the day began.

After closing up at 8 pm, I’d head home for dinner, pack orders, and finally crawl into bed by midnight.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Was it worth it?

“Success” is such a broad term. It’s important to know how you define it.

Financially, we covered our costs and made a small profit. But if I worked it out hourly…let’s not go there. 

But was it just about the money? Absolutely not.
Sometimes, you just have to do things—otherwise, you’ll never know. You’ll stay on the sidelines, always observing, never experiencing.

This market wasn’t just about the business—it was about the people.

Sharing the journey with others, bringing them along for the ride. For that reason alone, I loved every minute of it and call is a great success. 

Turn “what if’’s to “just do’s” and learn from the journey.

“I have led a toothless life. A toothless life. I have never bitten into anything.

I was waiting. I was reserving myself for later on—and I have just noticed that my teeth have gone.”

— Jean-Paul Sartre

 

 My Observations from the Week

As the days went on, exhaustion crept in quickly. More coffee, less sleep, worse decisions—a vicious cycle I know all too well.

By the end of the week, I was irritable, my diet and sleep were all over the place, and my patience was wearing thin.

It’s a fine balance between pushing yourself and prioritising rest, and this week I walked that tightrope too many times.

This experience reminded me of Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts, the way small choices compound over time. We all know what’s good for us, yet we often take the easy way out. It feels harmless in the moment, but those choices add up and extract a steep cost later.

Each evening, I wandered the market, observing. The busiest stands?

 

 Doughnuts, burgers, churros—quick comforts that satisfy for a moment but leave little lasting fulfilment. It left me quietly saddened, watching this endless loop of instant gratification.

We have to honour and love ourselves, our daily decisions create the direction of our lives.

“Improving by 1% isn't particularly notable, sometimes it isn't even noticeable...

If you can get 1% better each day for one year, you'll end up 37 times better by the time you're done"

 

-James Clear

 

 My Most Cherished Moments

Amid the chaos and exhaustion, two moments stood out:

1. The kindness of my people
Friends and family showed up to help, rolled up their sleeves, and asked for nothing in return. When you’re completely drained, that’s when you see who’s truly there for you.

My dad has always said, “A good friend is the one who stays when everyone else is walking out the door.” This week, I saw that wisdom come to life.

2. Meeting you

Those of you who came by to say hello, share your story, and support what we’re building—it meant the world.

Seeing your faces and hearing your feedback reminded me why I started this journey in the first place made every moment of exhaustion worth it.

 

Thank You

Thank you for your kindness.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you for making the chaos of these three weeks meaningful.

Will we do it again next year?

You will have to wait and see :)

 

Wishing you the best holiday period from all of us 💚

 

Be loving, be kind and play long the game with yourself. 

 

Kia Kaha with love,

Chris

“For all of the most important things, the timing always sucks. The stars will never align and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. Conditions are never perfect. "Someday" is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. If it's important to you and you want to do it "eventually," just do it and correct course along the way.”

 

Tim Feriss