A few weeks ago my husband accepted a new job. After 14 years that’s a big change and we’re pretty excited for the new opportunities this will bring him.
Changing jobs in the middle of the summer means that the week between the old and the new is the only vacation time he’ll be able to take. So I decided it would be a great time to take some time off with him. We planned several cookouts and dinners with friends, days at the beach, picnics. I figured I could work mornings and then have my afternoons and evenings free to visit and play.
Well, it hasn’t quite worked out that way. The mostly mornings has stretched to some afternoons and some nights, too, in and around the cookouts and visits. The beach days have totally passed me by…my kids are off with their dad again today while I wrap balms and bottle lotions.
As much as I wish I could have gone to the beach today, I have to say that this work-staycation thing has been fun. I apologize for not planning a better blogging schedule; it’s something I need to work on so that there will be something here for you to see even when I’m not here! But I really needed even this little bit of rest. I have enjoyed spending time with friends and family and not working all day every day. As much as I love my work, I appreciate coming back to it even more when I’ve been away from it for a little while.
What do you think? Do you have to get away from work completely in order to relax, or do you find that even small breaks work well to recharge your battery? Do you take weeks at a time, or are long weekends better for you? What are you doing for fun this summer? I’d love to know!
(I’m sharing some photos here of the teriyaki chicken kabobs we grilled on the Fourth, and my son enjoying his hot dogs at one of our cookouts! Below you can see the view from my “lab” window…my kids enjoying one of my favorite spots, among the flowers on our deck.)
Good for you, Emily, for taking some time for you – and family and friends! I took two days off for 4th of July weekend, and it was fabulous! I made one batch of soap that I’ve been dying to make, but that was about it. No back-room website changes, no mass production, no wrapping, no promotions/sales. I came back from it recharged and ready to tackle everything fresh.
It’s hard when you work at home because you are always ‘at work’. Summers are pretty busy so a vacation is hard, but taking part of a day to walk, hike or go out to lunch can help somewhat with energizing. Took a day off to go to the lake and I am scrambling to catch up!
Transitioning is tough when you’re an entrepreneur! Our business started in the mother-in-law suite of my home which made all of my time “at work”. When we moved the business into a warehouse, the adjustment was even harder…now I had to actually “go to” work to do the work, plus I was still working when I wasn’t “at work”…years later, I’ve learned to balance it a little better. But it is still tough to walk away. I chalk it up to finally having a “job” that I love to be “at”. Kudos to you for making the time to take the time. That is truly the tough part!
We took about 10 days off and went to my husband’s family reunion. Loved it!! We didn’t even have very good cell service where we were staying and I forgot to bring my passwords, so I couldn’t even check my email. Felt like I was behind when we got back, but it was so worth it! Glad you’re enjoying your “time off”!
See, I KNEW I wasn’t alone in this challenge of finding and making the time for breaks! I expect most entrepreneurs have this in common. It’s been nice spending time away, but I definitely feel behind when I’m not checking in as often. This week back to work will also be challenging, I expect! Thank you all for taking the time to comment. I love that we are all finding ways to stay energized in the work that we love to do.