I just returned from a wonderful vacation with my family. (I am happy to share more pictures and stories if you ask.) The point of this post is to share some of my thoughts on vacation and taking opportunities to “get away”.

My vacation was amazing in that I was not able to use my phone for seven days. I purposefully turned my phone to airplane mode (I still wanted to be able to use my phone to take pictures) and did my very best to enjoy my family and our wonderful setting(s). The first day or two felt odd. I wasn’t checking my email or social media every 10 minutes. About half way through day two I really stopped thinking about it. I was able to just enjoy the beautiful setting, my wife, my kids (well, as much as you can enjoy traveling with kids!), and extended family.

Besides check my phone, you know what else I didn’t do? Work!

This was my big vacation that we have been planning for almost two years. After the stress of the move to Boston and getting ramped up on my new job, I took full advantage of being offline and away. Upon my return to the “real” world, I opened my twitter and saw the post of an associate professor who was on a beach vacation talking about how they had just finished a conference proposal, read some things for a class they plan on teaching this fall, and done some writing. While this might be relaxing and enjoyable for this person, I worry that the expectation for many in the academic community is that our jobs require 24-hour unwavering commitment. I am unconvinced this is healthy or productive.

So, I write to tell you that I scheduled and took a vacation. I didn’t respond to a single email. I didn’t read a single academic paper. I didn’t write a single word of a paper or conference proposal.

I played and went swimming with my kids. I spent time talking with my wife about things unrelated to our jobs. I had wonderful adventures with my family, took lots of pictures, and ate too much food.

Today I return to work refreshed. Yes, I have a lot of email that need responses. Yes, I have a bunch of reading and writing to do. You know what? I am going to do all of those things knowing I made the most of my time away and am lucky to have been able to get away. We all need to remember to engage in as much self-care as possible. I am certain that looks different for each of us. Just remember, it is ok to unplug if you need and want. In my opinion, the reset and relief that comes from time away is wonderfully powerful in comparison to the stress of trying to do everything all the time!

Am I a better Learning Scientist as compared to when I left? I am not sure. I do know I am a happier person and that usually results in good things for my work.