Why is it that the day you’re supposed to leave on vacay you find yourself working with a million ‘little’ things to take care of before you can log off… well, you may need to send a few emails at the airport, and maybe bang out the draft presentation during the flight, but as soon as that plan lands, that’s it, your done…well, maybe you’ll just check your email quickly before you head to the beach.

It’s Hard to ‘Let Go’ of Work

Hands up if you sometimes have trouble letting go of work thoughts when on vacation! 🙋🏾‍♀️  I also don’t like planning vacations (finding flights, deciding on accommodations and itineraries), airports or flying, or packing and feeling like I’m going to forget something. Or not wanting to come home…🙃 Gah! (but I digress)

It’s funny how work can creep into your downtime when you don’t expect it. I get it, you want to make sure everything is taken care of before you go and that no one is left having to do your work while your gone. It can also be hard to shut off because you are so used to being “on” all the time.

That’s the trouble, isn’t it? Being “on” all the time and never truly “letting go” of work that gets in the way of being present and enjoying the vacation.

I did a solo travel to Portugal because I needed to let go of work and the best part of the trip was when I decided to set the intention to relax. I seriously had to tell myself that I was going to take the day off, grab my novel, a book I had for about a year without cracking it open, found a lovely little cafe and read, eat pastries and sip espresso. It was bliss.

3 Tips for Letting Go of Work While On Vacation

Here are 3 ways I’ve use to help me let go of work thoughts when I’m on vacation and enjoy the time off to the fullest:

1. Never check my work email once I’ve left for vacation
2. Stop and breathe: Plan to be fully present in the moment. I take the time out to really look at my surroundings and the beauty of the new landscape and to simply just take it all in. 
3. Planning to ease back into work: I always take an extra day on my return to unpack, do laundry and other chores before going back to work. 

Being Present while Travelling is Good is Good Self-Care

Travel is great for destressing, reminding ourselves to slow-down, be present. Being in a beautiful place can also serve as a great remind to practice gratitude as well as way to awaken our creativity and liven our spirits. It’s my kind of therapy ,that’s for sure!

Now if only they could invent a way to beam me to my destination! Captain Kirk knew what it was all about! 💫 

Do you find challenging to let go of work while heading into vacay mode?