Take The Vacation. Every Time.

Everyone needs a vacation sometimes.

Fortunately, I’m able to be on vacation for the rest of the month of January.

One of the biggest joys? Going to sleep without setting an alarm for the next day.

It really is the simple things sometimes.

I’ve been at my job for almost 18 years now.

Time certainly flies.

Like anyone, I’ve had my ups and downs with my job — that comes with the territory. I also work with people who don’t take vacations, or who take far less time than they’ve earned specifically for that purpose.

They live to work.

I work to live.

My job is what I happen to do, but it’s not who I am.

I’m incredibly thankful to have a job that allows me to support myself, save for retirement, and take care of my health — whether that’s seeing a doctor, a dentist, or an optometrist when I need to. I’ll never take that for granted.

At the same time, my job allows me to take time off when I’ve earned it, and I’ll never hesitate to do that. Mental health is important, and burnout is very real.

You need time for yourself. Time to do the things you enjoy — whether that’s watching a show, reading a book, going for a walk, or spending time with friends. Whatever it is, you need it.

I see too many people whose work becomes their entire life.

When you really break it down, most people work eight hours a day, five days a week — sometimes more. You’re also supposed to get 7–8 hours of sleep a night. That doesn’t leave much time for yourself.

Then there’s everything else. Families. Kids. Significant others. Pets. Appointments. Childcare. Sporting events. Going to the gym. Trying to eat healthy. Life doesn’t stop once you clock out of work. In fact, work is what allows you to afford all of those responsibilities in the first place.

It’s easy to get pulled in every direction, day after day, week after week, month after month — even year after year — without ever carving out time just for yourself.

That’s why taking time off matters.

Nobody is ever lying on their deathbed thinking, “I wish I would’ve worked more.”

Instead, it’s usually, “I wish I spent more time doing the things I enjoyed. I wish I stayed in touch with people I let slip away. I wish I spent more time living.”

If you can’t even imagine what you’d do with time off because all you can think about is work, you’re working far too much.

So take the vacation. Take it every time.

Since being off, I’ve been catching up on anime I’ve been meaning to watch. I’m going bowling for the first time in far too long. I’ve got some restaurants I want to check out. So many little things that usually get pushed aside.

I also played my second pickup floor hockey game the other night, and it was fantastic. I look forward to it every single week. With the actual season starting next month, I’ll have pickup games and league games to look forward to.

I’ve kept up my gym routine three days a week and even started incorporating more work into those sessions. I’ve been compiling high-protein, low-calorie meal prep recipes I can make in bulk, so breakfast, lunch, and dinner are locked in while staying within my calorie goals.

All of this has been possible because I’ve had time away from work to focus on it.

That’s what vacation gives you — the chance to do the things your regular routine doesn’t allow. It lets you step back, take a deep breath, and reset.

For me, that means bowling, game nights, ice skating, floor hockey, disc golf, video games, watching pro wrestling, recording my weekly podcast, and writing this blog — just to name a few.

I’ve also been reconnecting with people from my Ultimate Photo Album, having them sign old photos while taking new ones for true full-circle moments. It’s been coming along really well.

If you’re mentally and physically drained from the daily grind, you have to step back and recharge. Otherwise, you’re just running on fumes.

It’s probably why the first thing most lottery winners do is quit their job. If you no longer have to trade your time for money, why would you?

Most people aren’t going to win the lottery — but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your life. That’s what vacations are for. If your job affords you one, you should absolutely take it.

I’ll leave you with a quote that sums it up perfectly:

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”

Thanks for reading, folks.

See you next week!