Maximize your vacation time

by Stacy Parmer, LPC, LMFT, NCC
MOLAP director

Do you wear burnout as a badge of honor?

For many people, summer equals vacation time. For those who wear burnout as a badge of honor, however, the thought of taking time off for a vacation or staycation feels like a betrayal. A study published in Healthcare last year found that 46% of lawyers said they were considering leaving the profession due to stress or burnout. Yet many work beyond the typical workday and brag about the long hours as if they were a mark or expression of pride.  

For lawyers experiencing burnout, taking a vacation may be more important than ever, but how do you resist working while on vacation to maximize your time off and not view it as a mandatory obligation?

The first step to enjoying vacation is to let go of guilt. You work hard all year and deserve to rest. Remind yourself of this, over and over again! Give yourself permission to unplug and take a real break. There’s no competition for billable hours on the beach.

Resist the pull to check emails, texts, and messages. Set up automatic out-of-office replies for emails and voicemails. If you absolutely must check them, make a plan to only check them once on a specific day, and let a family member or friend know your plan so they can help hold you accountable.

Notify colleagues of your vacation and any deadlines or events that may occur during your absence and inform your clients about having limited availability or unavailability. You can also provide them with an alternative point of contact. 

Put down the phone and temporarily delete or silence apps, including social media apps. Try not to check in at every destination you visit or restaurant where you eat, as this will lead to wondering and subsequently checking how many likes or comments your post receives.

Avoid the urge to take pictures and videos of everything you’re doing and just be present in the moment. Being present is the practice of being fully engaged and focused on your surroundings without distracting thoughts of the past or worries about the future. How often do you watch old vacation videos anyway?

Make loose plans and don’t have activities set for every day. This will give you the opportunity to have more flexibility, creativity, and spontaneity on your trip.

Use your vacation time mindfully and wisely to recharge and reset.  

It’s ok to take off the badge.

References
“Stressed, Lonely and Overcommitted: Predictors of Lawyer Suicide Risk” Healthcare, February 12, 2023

If you need support for burnout, the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program is here to help! Please consult the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program at 1-800-688-7859 for free, confidential counseling.