Should I Take a Vacation While Working At Home? [8 Excuses & 8 Reasons]
Working at home, whether you’re your own boss or part of a team, is a real blessing. As work-from-home moms, we enjoy some awesome perks, like tossing in a load of laundry while on a conference call or savoring our quick “commutes” in comfy clothes. But let’s be real – there are also some tough parts about working at home.
One challenge I face in today’s super-connected, tech-filled, and sometimes crazy virtual “workplace” is taking a break. It’s even trickier when it comes to official vacation time.
I mean, I already have a decent work/life balance as a work-from-home woman. So, do I really need vacation days? Well, it turns out I didn’t think so, as I gave up eight vacation days last year. Yes, you read that right – EIGHT days! When my HR team pointed this out, I had to stop and think.
- How did I let this happen?
- What can I do to change things in my work life?
In this post, I’ll share my top 8 reasons for skipping out on vacation time (one for each day I lost).
By the end of this post, I hope you’ll agree with me – even when you work from home, taking a vacation is a definite yes!
8 Excuses For Skipping Vacation While Working At Home
Excuse #1: No One Else Can Handle the Work
My go-to reason for skipping vacations is that I handle some tasks and clients all by myself. I figure taking time off means loads of work before and after the break, so why bother?
But really, whether you’re running your own show or part of a team, this isn’t a smart business move. What if an emergency comes up, and you HAVE to be away? It makes sense to get someone else up to speed. You can even offer to return the favor when they take time off.
Excuse #2: Saving Days for Unexpected Stuff
You know the saying, “Failure to Plan is Like Planning To Fail.” My issue was saving my vacation days for things that might pop up, but I’d forget until it was too late.
Now, I whip out my calendar, the kids’ school plans, and holiday schedules and lock in some days off ahead of time. If something urgent does show up, I can shuffle around the days I’d already set aside.
Excuse #3: Don’t Need So Many Days Off
After working for my company for nearly 15 years and having a good amount of vacation days, I often questioned if I really needed all that time off. It’s interesting to note that compared to folks in other developed countries, Americans don’t take as many vacation days.
A report from the World Tourism Organization (as mentioned on CNN World) showed that the average Italian worker gets a whopping 42 vacation days, followed by France with 37, Germany with 35, Brazil with 34, the United Kingdom with 28, Canada with 26, and Korea and Japan both with 25. In the U.S., the average worker gets only 13 days off.
Excuse #4: Showing Dedication to My Boss (Customers)
In today’s job scene, everyone’s doing 1.5 to 2 people’s work. We feel the need to give our all to keep our jobs or customers happy. But if we never take a breather, we’re likely to burn out and end up disengaged and bitter.
I believe our bosses and customers actually respect us more in the long run if we take care of our passion, creativity, and mental and physical health.
Excuse #5: Don’t See the Benefit
Like the reasons I mentioned earlier, there were times when I questioned if taking time off was worth it. I guess I was downplaying the good stuff that comes from resting and chilling out. It’s not just about physical benefits – there’s a mental boost too.
When we take a break and let ourselves think instead of getting stuck in the everyday work grind, we might stumble upon new ideas or see things from a different angle. And hey, we haven’t even talked about the perks of spending time on the relationships that matter most to us – the very reason many of us choose to work from home in the first place.
Excuse #6: Can’t Afford a Fancy Vacation
I worried about spending big bucks on a vacation, and it turns out I’m not alone. Many folks gave up their time off to tackle debt or cut costs. But with a bit of planning and creativity, I could’ve had some fun without breaking the bank.
A simple picnic at the park, a stroll on a nearby nature trail, or a road trip to a cool spot could’ve been just as good as a pricey vacation.
Excuse #7: Vacation Feels Like More Work
I’m guilty of taking work calls during my vacation or being out with the family but I’m glued to my phone. Instead of feeling refreshed, I was just working in a different location. I get that today’s work world often keeps us plugged in during breaks.
But if we set clear expectations with colleagues and customers and establish some boundaries for ourselves about when and how often we’ll check in, we can actually disconnect and truly “get away from it all.”
Excuse #8: Hard Work is the American Way
So, we tend to work more. That’s the American Way, right? We’ve always prided ourselves on working hard, and it’s paid off, hasn’t it? Well, experts say that America’s economic growth is more tied to education, productivity, immigration, and investment than our work schedules.
And many agree that taking breaks is crucial for recharging and maintaining productivity.
8 Reasons Why Work-From-Home Moms Should Take a Vacation Now
Whether jet-setting around the world or simply enjoying a peaceful week at home, taking regular vacations does more than just keep your mind and body in check. Let’s dive into how vacation time can bring some positive vibes to different parts of your life:
Improve Health
Stress is a real troublemaker. It brings along a bunch of not-so-fun symptoms, like:
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Getting sick a lot
- Trouble sleeping
- Heart problems
- Messing with our mental health
These symptoms can go from just annoying to actually being a big deal for our health. With the whole COVID-19 situation, we’ve all been dealing with crazy levels of stress, anxiety, and not knowing what’s going to happen. It’s been tough on the bodies and minds of millions of people.
Boost Productivity
Surprisingly, taking a break doesn’t put a stop to your work mojo. Leading up to your vacation and upon your return, you actually become more productive. The pre-vacation hustle to finish tasks feels lighter, and when you return, you’re back at it with a clear mind and fresh energy.
Gain New Perspectives
Venturing into different cultures and surroundings broadens your outlook. Time away becomes an informal learning experience, giving you a new viewpoint on your job and life.
Trying something new, like exploring a foreign place or picking up a hobby, challenges you in ways different from your regular routine, fostering personal growth.
Foster Bonds
Too much work can strain relationships. A regular holiday helps cut stress and gives you the chance to focus on friends and family. Prioritizing your social connections is crucial for a happy home life.
Ignite Creativity
Staring at the same office walls every day might put a damper on your creative spark. Stepping out into the world or just taking a break from your usual workspace can reignite your imaginative side. You’ll return to work with a fresh perspective, ready to tackle challenges with creative solutions.
Create Excitement
Facing a tough work stretch becomes more manageable when you have a reward to look forward to – like a planned vacation. Knowing that a well-deserved break awaits helps you power through challenging projects, thanks to the motivational boost of anticipation.
Enhance Mood
Work stress can leave you feeling drained and irritable. Taking a vacation provides a break from the pressures of a busy professional life, allowing you to rebuild a positive outlook. Everyone needs time and rest to recharge and avoid burnout.
Increase Satisfaction
The positive vibes from a vacation linger even after you return to the office. Better work-life balance, reduced stress, and an overall sense of well-being contribute to your happiness both at your desk and at home.
Whether you have a flexible vacation policy or a fixed number of days off, it’s worth making the most of what your company offers. Taking a break is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for a healthier, happier work and home life.
Summary: Moms, Take a Vacation Now!
I encourage you to grab your calendar, plan some time off, and actually take it. Turn off your phone, stay away from emails, and enjoy your time resting, relaxing, and reconnecting with those around you. When that nagging thought creeps in, telling you not to enjoy your time away, remember that your mental health, emotional well-being, creativity, passion, relationships, and even your colleagues and customers need you to take a break.
What do you think? Do you really need a vacation when you work from home? What challenges do you face when considering time off? How do you overcome them? Share your thoughts with us – we’d love to hear from you!
