Vacationing Well

This week my family and I are on vacation. Here are five easy steps you can take to ensure you vacation well as a creative professional:

1. Plan Ahead, Unplug Fully: Set clear boundaries with clients and colleagues before you leave. Ensure projects are either wrapped up or delegated. If you have built in enough margin, maybe even get a head a little so you’re not so crammed upon your return. Once on vacation, disconnect from work emails and notifications to allow yourself to recharge fully.

2. Prioritize Rest and Relaxation: As a creative, your mind needs a break. Plan activities that relax and rejuvenate you. Whether it's lounging by the beach, hiking, or simply reading, focus on rest rather than productivity.

3. Embrace Inspiration in New Environments: Use your vacation to explore new places, cultures, or hobbies. Even though you’re taking a break, new experiences can inspire fresh ideas without feeling like work.

4. Journaling: Stay present in the moment but understand that when you disconnect from the norm, ideas will begin to rush from your brain. Resist the work on future projects. Journaling can be used to center yourself AND to write down ideas as they come then leave them there for later.

5. Ease Back In: When your vacation ends, give yourself a buffer day to transition back to work. Use this day to organize, reflect on your break, and ease into your routine gradually. Pro Tip: Planning a vacation that ends on a 3-day weekend (ie Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc) is a great way to set yourself up to ease back in.

These steps will help you recharge, gain new perspectives, and return to work more creatively energized. Happy Vacationing!