Remember “Summer Vacation”?

By Paige Cohen, Senior Editor

This time of the year makes me nostalgic for what my teachers used to call “summer vacation.” I remember being a little kid on the last day of school, waiting for the final bell to release me. The air in the classroom was always a little too warm, and the plastic desk chair stuck to my legs. I’d slide my feet against the carpet—a sad, dull blue color—bored out of my mind because all I had to do was wait.

Once the clock struck three, a long chime would ring through the overhead speaker. That meant, for the next three months, I was free of all serious commitments. No homework, no tests. No morning alarms. For the next 90 days I would be on summer vacation.

At least this is how I remember it. Back then, I probably took the break for granted, not yet knowing, as an adult, vacations would look different. Today, I can’t imagine taking off more than a week or two at once. While it’s logistically possible, I know I’d spend the extra time worried about what was happening at work, which emails and meetings I was missing, and the commitments I’d soon need to catch up on.

I realize this isn’t a healthy mindset, especially when it takes eight days of vacation for most people to feel fully relaxed. Sometimes I wonder: If I can’t really disconnect and use my vacations to be present with family and friends, am I setting myself up for burnout? Imagine how much stronger I’d be if I could tap into the carefree attitude I had as a kid. I’d return to work that much more rested, resilient, and focused. 

Of course, I recognize this is much harder to do as an adult. We have countless personal and professional responsibilities to meet. Vacation requires more intention, planning, and balance.

This year, a goal of mine is to try and find more balance—to treat my time off as respectfully as I do my time on. It will require breaking unhealthy habits (like checking email on vacation) and practice, but I know I’ll be a mentally healthier person if I can learn to do it.

Here are a few articles I’m turning to for help. If you can relate, maybe you’ll find them useful.

Recommended Reads

Don’t Work on Vacation. Seriously.

Research shows it's not worth it.

Read the full article here.

How to Forget About Work When You’re Not Working

You need a plan.

Read the full article here.

How to Minimize Stress Before, After, and During a Vacation

Start prepping weeks ahead of time.

Read the full article here.

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