The 3-day weekend we had for Labor Day was wonderful! My wife and I had a relaxing weekend, which was just what we needed. We did some hiking, cleaned around the house, went shopping for our upcoming vacation, and did a lot of relaxing. I even got to watch a ballgame on TV. It was very refreshing. Today, I tried to remember the last time I had a day off. I was the 4th of July. Before that it was… whatever the previous federal holiday was. Probably Memorial Day.
You see, shortly after I started my new job last summer, my wife and I got married. I had to go a few days in the hole on my vacation time and I have been saving my vacation days since then. Because of the timing of our marriage, we couldn’t take any time off together, so this will be our first vacation as a married couple. The only days I have taken off since last fall were around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. Other than that, I have only taken off federal holidays. I need a break!
Thankfully, my wife and I will be taking this vacation in 2 weeks. We will be going on our first cruise, and we are very excited. We have our itinerary, we have planned our excursions, we bought a new digital camera, we are bringing our nice clothes for the formal dinners, and we are looking forward to having the time of our lives. And it couldn’t come at a better time!
I realize I’ve not been taking enough time off from work, and this is not a good idea. After this relaxing 3 day weekend, I think I should schedule some “me time” a little more often. Maybe every other month or so I should create my own 3 day weekend, or turn a 3 day weekend into a 4 day weekend. Time off is a beautiful thing, and no job is worth getting burned out for.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think people in North America in general don’t take nearly enough time off. Most European countries provide a LOT more time off for workers and as a result people are used to taking a couple weeks off at a time. This year was the first time I’ve taken two weeks off in a row for pretty much my whole working life and that’s pretty sad.
Enjoy your cruise!!!
I agree that you don’t get enough time off. I get 25 days each year, plus bank holidays. Having said that, I feel like I haven’t had any time off lately, so tomorrow I’m planning to book a couple of days off at the end of September, and probably a week off in November as well.
I think it’s often time work culture wise or work wise to tak alot of vacation. I don’t get alot of vacation time (10 days) per year plus floating holidays (columbus, presidents, etc) that we work on and then can use as vacation. Even though my work is pretty laid back – it’s easy to take off early or take a half day off, I find it difficult to take big chunk of time off as I’d prefer. I feel I let down my coworkers when I do….
I get 15 vacation days, a few sick days, plus most of the standard federal holidays (10, I think). I just haven’t been using them lately because I’ve been saving up for my vacation with my wife.
My work is pretty laid back as far as time off goes. If I need a day here or there I can usually get it no problem. But like I said… I haven’t been taking any lately!
2 weeks… That’s a lot of time, and I can’t wait!