Taking a break from work is important, but it’s all too easy for us to lose sight of this. Our jobs are busy and important. We are busy and important. We’ve got planes to catch and bills to pay. And we live in a society where full-time productivity is not only expected, it’s celebrated.
Unless you’re reading this in Europe, where vacation policies are as foreign to US citizens as their Air BnB’s plumbing, you’re likely among the nearly half of Americans who don’t take all of their vacation days.
Not taking vacation may make you feel like a hero, but in reality it’s bad for you, bad for your family, and bad for your organization. Not sure if it’s time to set up an automatic reply and shut your laptop for a week or two? See if any of these signs that you need a vacation resonate with you.
You dread going to work
For you, the Sunday scaries are a nightly occurrence. And this is not a good thing.
I have a friend who used to wish for an accident to befall her on the way to work in the morning. She didn’t want it to be too major that she wouldn’t heal, but she did need her injuries to keep her in a hospital bed for a few weeks. Maybe a broken leg, she thought.
This is clearly a giant red flag. Before you head down a path of thoughts of self-destruction, get out of town.
You don’t care as much as you used to
When things at work don’t seem to matter as much as they used to, when you can’t fire up the same enthusiasm that you brought to your job a month or a year ago, it’s time to step back and get some perspective.
Taking time away will give you space and opportunity to remind yourself of what you love about work and why you do it. Plus, you’ll get the rest you need to come back energized, renewed, and ready to dive back in.
You’re snapping at your coworkers
If your work personality is no longer the proverbial “joy to have in class,” start Googling getaways. The grind can grind away your patience and tolerance for those around you.
Go on vacation to recharge your social batteries and come back better. Bringing little gifts for your team doesn’t hurt, either. It’s the least you could do.
Your family life is suffering
In The Return of the King, Frodo’s faithful friend Sam tries to get him to hang on at a time when Frodo is the absolute poster Hobbit for needing a vacation.
He asks, “Do you remember the taste of strawberries?” as a reminder to Frodo that things won’t always be like this. “No Sam,” Frodo says. “I can’t recall the taste of food, nor the sound of water, nor the touch of grass. Instead, I’m… naked in the dark. There’s nothing. No veil between me and the wheel of fire!”
Frodo’s loved one knew he wasn’t doing well, and your family will know, too, if you’re similarly veil-less between yourself and the fire. No longer remembering the things you love about your family life, no longer finding joy there because of the stress of your workday, and missing out on important events because of work are all sure signs you need a vacation.
None of the above
If you’re feeling none of these, that’s a great sign! But also a really good reason for taking vacation now. The above warning signs are a hair’s breadth away from being full-on burnout.
And coming back to the person you were before burnout is really, really hard. If you give yourself a break before any of these symptoms pop up, you might prevent them altogether. If you’ve got the days, take them asap.
When vacation isn’t enough
Sometimes, it takes more than taking a vacation to improve your productivity, work/life balance, and joy at your job. In that case, it might be time to look for something new. Your next calling might be a click away.
