What Are Your Vacation Boundaries?
With two kids and a business to run, I don’t travel a lot. That said, it’s something that I have been hungering for and have committed to do more of as part of my feeling good experiment. My girls are older and more adaptable, the business is far enough along where my disappearance for a week will not make an impact, and yet I’ve realized—it’s hard for me to separate.
From the clients I’m serving—what if they need me?
From the exciting programs focused on systemic change that I’m moving forward in organizations.
From the work that feels like play so much of the time.
With all of that in front of me, I know I need the vacation I’m about to take to get some sunshine and quality time with my family. Beyond needing it—I’m energized by thoughts of warmth, sun and relaxation right now.
I’ve come to realize, this is a situation where both things are true. I’m excited to travel AND I’m sad to leave my business (even for six days, which I know is not a long time!).
Knowing that this is where I am, I’m going to use the balanced approach to vacation boundaries that I share with my clients. Here is the simple principle behind it: you choose the lines that feel right for you, notice how you feel and tweak accordingly. This isn’t about how Instagram influencers tell you that you should refuel. You are in charge of your body and your life, and no matter what you choose—if it feels wrong, you will learn from it.
Here are the boundaries that work for me:
Get in front of client needs by reaching out 4-5 days prior to vacation to solicit questions that may come up while I’m gone, reminding everyone that I won’t be answering emails.
Check in once a day, but only respond with urgent matters. I decide what’s urgent.
Put an out of office message on for my email.
Write and schedule my newsletter prior to leaving (hello, from Punta Cana).
Be present. Relax. Read a novel. Have fun. If these things aren’t happening, make sure I’m keeping my commitments on the boundaries above.
It may sound a bit type A to create rules for a vacation, but with the backdrop of our cultural addiction to busyness and my own connection to my work, I’ve found it’s a way for me to practice having both things. Work I love AND recharge time. In writing those words, I build a bridge between the two with my gratitude to have both in my life.
