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How do long periods without vacation time affect you?

Elliotte

By Elliotte
in General Relationship Discussion

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Elliotte Established Member

Elliotte

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Has anyone ever just gone about the work routine for too long and before you know it, you've gone a year or more without any time off? Have you noticed any ill effects from it?

 

I worked my ass off throughout 2013, worked with very few days off other than weekends, greatly improved my standing with the team at work, honed my professional skills more than ever, was making sure my son was doing well in kindergarten and first grade, made major strides in my marriage and accomplished a ton of personal improvements. Then last month I check to see how much vacation time I have, and realize I've barely used any the entire year. I've noticed as I finally approach the time off for the holidays I've felt like the routine has really grinded my brain into mush and made me unnecessarily irritable, with my coworkers and my family. I've had almost no time to break the routine and truly relax, and it feels like the realization of this has left me bitter despite of myself. Anyone ever feel like this?

2fargone Established Member

2fargone

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Never had any problems with it. I think sometime I worked like 3 years straight without vacation. And in those years I worked from 8 AM untill 10 PM mostly.

 

 

Then again this was pre-internet, and my work was my hobby sort of :)

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carhill Established Member

carhill

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IME, vacation time was more a factor when I had to work rather than wanted to work. Nowadays, I take vacation because something comes up. Sunday I'll head to the coast for a week not because I need to take a vacation but rather because I enjoy camping with friends at the holidays. I could stay home and work. I did so for plenty of years and didn't mind it at all. I think reflecting back on the years when I was employed, that facing the requirement of investing time each day, for myself, made the difference. I worked far longer hours and harder as my own boss but didn't mind because I liked it more. Overall, looking back on nearly 40 years of work, vacation or lack thereof didn't make a marked difference. However, back when it was a 'requirement', I liked that I got paid for it. Haven't had that in nearly 30 years.

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WrinkledForehead Established Member

WrinkledForehead

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Early on while learning to parent two small children by myself, I also learned to be happy with the small periods of time during which I had peace: the hour just before bed when the kids were sleeping and chores were done, the period of time before the kids wake up and the sun is just kissing the sky...

 

Now I work two part time jobs, attend five classes, run a household on my own, and spend time with my bf. I haven't had a vacation in 6 years. I take the occasional day trip to the city with bf and that is my reprieve. A morning spent drinking coffee before I begin my day. School provides a break fr the demands of home, home provides a break from the demands at work.

 

Basically, it required a shift in my attitude. I regularly make a conscious effort to change my thinking.

 

Right now I'm dealing with financial stressors and to combat the angst I feel in regards to them, I breathe and counter the thoughts with thoughts of gratitude: my children are healthy. My car runs. I have fresh running water. There is a roof over my head.

 

Perhaps it could help. And please, schedule a day or even a few hours for yourself shortly.

 

Best~ WF

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HokeyReligions Established Member

HokeyReligions

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I haven't had a vacation since 1993. I do use all my vacation time though for doctor or hospital visits and running errands. We go to an occasional movie or something like that. That said; if I didn't have breaks from work routines my productivity and attitude would suffer even more. Take some time - its healthy

Shepp Established Member

Shepp

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I haven't had a vacation since 1993. I do use all my vacation time though for doctor or hospital visits and running errands. We go to an occasional movie or something like that. That said; if I didn't have breaks from work routines my productivity and attitude would suffer even more. Take some time - its healthy

 

Damn - I was born in 1993!

 

I need lots going on! That's why I could never of done 9-5 job, id of gone stir crazy! I get bored easily!

I think doing the same thing day in day out would be one of easiest ways to really get me down!

 

I don't necessarily need a vacation as such though - I just need loads going on, mounting biking Saturday, paintballing sunday...

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Elliotte Established Member

Elliotte

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I haven't had a vacation since 1993. I do use all my vacation time though for doctor or hospital visits and running errands. We go to an occasional movie or something like that. That said; if I didn't have breaks from work routines my productivity and attitude would suffer even more. Take some time - its healthy

 

...you haven't had a vacation in twenty years?!

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