I recently had the opportunity to go on vacation and completely unplug from work. This is probably the first time in my adult life that I have been able to completely avoid working while on vacation and it was enjoyable!
Here are the pros and cons for avoiding work while on vacation:
Pros
- Learn new things – I learned about setting up Focus mode on my phone to minimize breakthrough communications from the office. Outlook, Teams, Slack… all of them muted in a special vacation mode setting that I created.
- No excess baggage – Laptop bag? Not for me! I needed all the suitcase space I could get, and carrying an extra bag with a laptop in it was not on my list of things to bring.
- Not having to find a good signal – Spotty Wi-Fi connection? What Wi-Fi? I am on vacation!
Cons
- Stay on top of emails – Yes, the dreaded barrage of emails that await you upon return is very serious! Now you can spend time that is dedicated to relaxation reading and responding to everyone’s wants and needs back at your job.
- Stay tuned in to updates that occur while out of the office – I am sure that the decisions made during your weeklong departure are life-altering and must not be missed.
- Work anxiety – You’ve spent so long building up that good base layer of work stress – why ruin it by relaxing?
Obviously, this post is very tongue-in-cheek, and I enjoyed disconnecting from work. Since this was a new experience for me, I chose a week where very little was happening (holiday week), and I came back the next week refreshed and recharged. There was a positive change in my mood, and everyone could tell that the vacation was a good change of pace for me. Highly recommend, 10/10.
On the next one, which is also a holiday week (gotta maximize those PTO days!), I’ll be on the same cruise as Sir Richard Branson!