I am just back at work from the longest break of my career. Four weeks. My longest going all the way at back to the (random but constant) employment of my high school and college years. I have always worked.

Coming back, I’m an even bigger fan of breaks than I was. I’m going to share a few thoughts on what big breaks like vacations can do, and can’t do. (No vacation pics. So ask if you do want to see some.) 

My hope is that my thoughts provide an extra push for you, and for others through your example, to recommit to breaks. All kinds and lengths of breaks: big breaks like vacations (use all that PTO!) and breaks between jobs; short breaks like lunch away from your workspace, or adding on one day to a government holiday weekend; and shorty-short breaks like a ten-minute walk around the block or closing your eyes for three deep breaths.

Before we get to my break experience, here are some of the benefits of breaks, from published scientific research (I looked it up to help me sell breaks to a group of very busy director-level people I was coaching):

For the individual, breaks improve physical health, creativity, happiness, memory, and our ability to see the big picture. Breaks help us to process information and relieve stress. Breaks even reduce physical pain symptoms.

For the team or organization, breaks improve staff retention and productivity. Breaks also help us avoid interpersonal conflict and drama. 

In short, science says: Breaks make us better. 

Also, it needs to be said: You shouldn’t feel like you have to make a case for why you need a break, even though I’m giving you one. Breaks are just necessary, full stop. You deserve a break today, like the old advertising jingle goes, just because you are a person in the world. 

On to my big break experience. Here’s a little of what I did, what I did not do, and what it means now that I’m back at it.

What I did, a partial list

• Family time, with the annual family reunion on Edisto Island, South Carolina. If you know my crabbing story (see my public speaking trailer video if not), we did that. Among many other intergenerational activities for the 28 of us this year. 

• Solo writing retreat on the Oregon Coast. First time there. It was scenic and peaceful. I saw an elk by the side of the road. I restarted a novel project that I last worked on in 2020.

• Writers conference that happened to be here in San Diego, that I learned about while in Oregon. I saw several local writer friends. (Check out Anastasia Zadeik’s captivating domestic thriller novel.)

• Read a lot of books, mostly fiction.

• Spent time around the house, doing a few small household repairs (but not all).

• Admitted that the dog is indeed aging, as she got a new diagnosis of arthritis. Trixie will be 12 this fall. She stopped limping after her diagnosis, ever the contrarian.

• Cooked simple meals, slowly, with lots of tomatoes as the last bounty of a lazy summer garden.

• Found a new office space that fits the space and privacy needs of my teaching and coaching. Moving in mid-September.

• Got regular exercise.

• Hosted 9 total visits by this past spring’s solar electricity installers, to fix one final tedious wiring and internet monitoring thing.

What I did not do, an even more partial list

• I did not spend time on social media (LinkedIn is the last and only one I use).

• I did not jump into my list of fun new or revisited hobbies, like sewing lessons, voice lessons, guitar lessons. I kept it simple and spent my time on writing and relaxing. 

• I did not meditate. This is something I want to get back into, that I did consistently several years ago. But I did not start again over my break.

• I did not buy things. Or many things. Books, I did buy. See note below on this one.

• I did not have more than three or maybe four to-do’s per day. This was the greatest luxury. A lot less stuff to do.

Thoughts on breaks and the world of work

• Days are short. The hours and days on my break passed as quickly as busy work days do. 

• The open time did wonders for my perspective on life and work, as I hoped it would. Do I have everything figured out? Nope. But I know my mind better on some big themes and issues in my life, just from having the time to move slowly and process slowly.

• For me, too much totally-free time was unsettling. I loved having a few totally unscheduled days; that got old fast. The glory of the break was that my to-do lists were much shorter than normal, and many tasks has no real deadline. Heaven.

• I am happy to be back at work. It feels good. I like what I do. So thank you!, clients, colleagues, my wise and fun and supportive professional network.

• Getting things done feels good. I want to balance that satisfaction (and the real need to get things done) with being a slave to the to-do list.

• Taking a break from shopping and buying things is relaxing. With my free time, my mind wandered to wanting things: a new shirt, more bookshelves for all these books (yes, I did buy quite a few books). I could spend over an hour browsing websites. So I decided “no shopping” and took that kind of break, too.

• Finally, the big question: What habits from my long break will I carry over to short breaks and to daily life? It’s like exercise: We don’t stay physically healthy by going on one long long run once a month. We have to work it into our routine regularly as we go. For me, here are a few: 

• Daily writing time, first thing before meetings start, before my “internal editor” is awake, before the dog-walk even (hey, she’s got arthritis, walks are shorter now anyway).

• Managing my attention and making time for transitions between tasks and meetings when I can.

• Scheduling exercise into my calendar three times a week.

Feel free to message me to help me stay accountable to these habits. Or to let me know your thoughts and habits when it comes to taking breaks and taking care of yourself.