Re-entry from a week-long vacation. It was a mostly lazy week at the beach with family. A little bit of sightseeing, but mostly kicking back and relaxing. Upon my return I woke up energized and ready to take on the email and tasks that had collected in my absence.
The laptop went along in order to spend some time writing and of course my iPhone was tucked safely into the carry-on — but I still unplugged almost completely. My life and career have been built so that everything doesn’t collapse if I’m out of touch. I work because I love what I do but I also work in order to have enough money to not work.
Many people not only crave busy-ness but require it and there are two reasons for that.
One, being busy feels important or at least needed. If we’re receiving a constant stream of communications to which we MUST respond that must mean we’re in the thick of things. We’re necessary.
And two, because keeping our fingers busy typing and texting prevents us from letting into the gap any potentially disruptive or disturbing thought that might invade our brain if we got quiet. Quiet feels uncertain and looks lazy. Both unsettling outcomes.
Disengaging for a week allowed a return to work both rested and energized – a primary purpose of the vacation. There’s a psychological price for staying constantly connected that for me, far exceeds the financial rewards for doing so.
Can you disengage while on a vacation? Have you?