Vacation, all I ever wanted…

One thing I love about living in San Francisco is that I get to host friends at my place who are coming for a visit. Like right now, @emmapersky is on Holiday from the UK and is making a trek through North America over the next week or so. As we were making arrangements around her arrival, I said something like “You can definitely do your work at my place while I’m at the office.” She laughed and told me that she was Holiday, which meant no work.

What?? No work? What does that even mean?

Then we talked about the cultural differences around the idea of Holiday/Vacation time between the UK and U.S. I know that over the summer, there is a very good possibility that if I’m working with people in the UK, they will be unavailable for a few weeks as they will be on holiday. I know this, accept it and respect it.

However, I can’t even remember the last time I took a ‘vacation’ or wasn’t checking/responding to emails for more than 48 hours. The idea seems completely foreign to me. But what is even more foreign is WHY I haven’t taken the time to make this a priority for myself. Is it the workaholic in me? Is it the need to feel busy doing something? Is it the pile of work that never seems to be finished?

So often I feel like I have ADHD, which I jokingly refer to as my multi-tasking super power. But I wonder what would happen if I fully unplugged for a few days…no computer…no cell…and, brace yourselves, no social media. Would the world that I know and love come to a screeching halt? Would I die?

Actually, I think the opposite would actually happen.

I think I would become more aware of the awesomeness that surrounds me on a day-to-day basis that I ignore due to the Blackberry in my hand. I think allowing my brain to slow down will actually help me become more productive as I could focus on the tasks that are truly a priority for my work as well as my personal life.

I don’t think I’m the only one who has this theory. I wonder how many companies share the same thoughts on this and really encourage their employees to take time off. Wouldn’t the world be a much happier place if we took more time off?

Wish I could think about this more…but I have a document that’s due in the morning that I need to finish.