How She Learned to Take a Real Vacation

I learned the value of a meaningful vacation the hard way after skipping vacations, getting sick, and realizing long weekends weren't enough to truly restore me. A 14-day trip to Israel, Jordan, and Petra changed that: I returned rested, energized, and more creative, and since then I've committed to taking at least seven consecutive days away each year, with noticeable benefits to my health, energy, and creativity.

For years, I thought being a good manager meant always being available to my associates, even when I was supposed to be off. Learning to truly disconnect was uncomfortable at first, but I realized that strong leadership is not about being available 24/7, it is about building a team you trust, setting healthy boundaries, and giving yourself permission to recharge so you can come back as the leader your team deserves.

One of the most powerful lessons I learned came when someone I deeply admired, who had dedicated years to their career, passed away unexpectedly in their sleep. It reminded me that life is fragile and time is never guaranteed, so we must make space for the people and passions that matter most before the opportunity is gone.

I disconnected by signing up for a 10-day Women's Wilderness course that taught boat handling, navigation, charting, and so much more while we motored on a 70-ft boat from Seattle to Ketchikan Alaska in May. There were eight of us, and we were the crew, not the passengers, and it was utterly amazing!

Work-life balance starts long before a vacation begins. Truly disconnecting isn't just about setting your status to "Do Not Disturb"; it's about establishing clear boundaries and honoring them. For me, learning to disconnect has never been particularly uncomfortable because I approach it with preparation and trust. I'm highly organized, so before taking time off, I make sure priorities are addressed, key information is documented, and redundancies are in place. That preparation gives me confidence to fully step away without feeling the need to check in. Most importantly, I trust my team to handle responsibilities in my absence, which allows me to recharge, be present during my time away, and return refreshed.

Finding joy in my work and making room to recharge Taking time off and actually being off are not always the same thing. We can step away from the workplace while our minds stay busy with responsibilities and everything waiting for us when we return. For me, learning to enjoy my time away started with something simple: learning to love what I do. Finding Joy in My Everyday Work I adore my job. Learning something new, helping someone succeed, or finding a solution to a challenge gives me satisfaction. There are days when I enjoy what I do so much that it almost feels like a little vacation in itself. That feeling has changed how I think about work. I can appreciate my everyday life while also looking forward to time away. Giving Myself Permission to Rest Loving my job also means recognizing that I need time to recharge. Even work that brings me joy requires energy and attention. A real vacation gives me room to slow down, enjoy the people I care about, and do things simply because they make me happy. Rest deserves a place in my life alongside the work I love. Making Space to Be Present To me, actually being off means allowing myself to enjoy where I am. It means giving a conversation my full attention, appreciating a quiet morning, or making a memory without mentally planning the next workday. Preparing before time away can help make that possible. Clear handoffs and trust in the team create room to step back with greater peace of mind. Bringing That Feeling Home The feeling I want from a vacation is something I also want to make space for throughout the year: enjoyment, curiosity, and time to appreciate life. Loving my work gives me some of that feeling every day. Time away adds something equally valuable: space to rest and enjoy the other parts of who I am. I feel fortunate to have work I adore. I also want to give myself permission to fully enjoy the life I have outside of it.