It is Important to Take Time Off

I am really bad at taking days off. Everyone gives me a really hard time about this, from your dad to my co-workers. It even showed up on an evaluation that my peers did of me at work. I scored amazingly in teamwork and leadership, but everyone agreed that I do not take enough time off for myself. Even if I do take a day off, I always answer my cell phone or check my emails, or I sneak into work "just for a little bit." If I am sick, I suffer through it and hardly ever leave early even though if someone on my staff so much as sniffles, I make them go home. I don't think I've taken one sick day in my two years here. I wait until I absolutely cannot take it anymore and end up getting really sick or falling apart some other way. I hope you understand that this is not good AT ALL. I have a very stressful job in which I manage a lot of people under often intense conditions. Burning out is something that can so easily happen in my industry, especially in my position. So I've vowed that this year, for my physical and mental well-being, I must take more time off to provide some balance.

My boss tells me, "When you die it is not going to say on your tombstone, 'She had the most vacation days saved up.'" And this is so true. I'm always worried about hoarding my vacation days for when it's absolutely "worth it" or I worry about spending money and time to go on a vacation. But as my co-worker told me last night over beers, "If it comes down to paying off the house, the car, or buying a dinettte set OR going on a vacation, take the vacation! Years from now you won't even think of the money that's not in the bank, but you WILL remember your vacation and the memories you made."

Your dad and I don't go on nearly enough vacations. We usually end up going to Vegas or something close and easy. But whenever we do go on vacation, it's always wonderful. We do make amazing memories like when we went to San Francisco w/ Uncle Matt and Auntie Jen or Santa Barbara just by ourselves. However, it's not always easy to take days off to go somewhere. It requires time and planning, not to mention your dad recently took a new job so his vacation days are not quite saved up yet. So more often now, I will take off days by myself for no reason. I'll sleep in late, go shopping, get a massage or have lunch with a friend. And you know what? It's very worth it, every single time. I've made a promise to myself to take care of ME this year, and taking time off is one huge way I am going to do that. That way, when you kids finally come along, I will be well-rested and ready for you. =)