My Ideal Vacation Day Plan
Last week, I took vacation days on Friday and Monday; I was taking an out-of-town weekend to attend a good friend’s bachelorette party and bridal shower. I’d taken off another Friday/Monday combo just three weeks before for a different out-of-town friend’s wedding. Add an afternoon I took the dog to the vet, and another day I took when my family visited, and I realized I’d used half of my vacation days for the entire year without having, you know, an actual vacation. I felt robbed, even heartbroken. I spouted off an angry blurb for the magazine about using all my damn vacation days on all these damn weddings. Realizing that in the entire year I wouldn’t be able to take off more than another day here or there, I devised a plan that should be adopted by HR departments everywhere.
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Last week, I took vacation days on Friday and Monday; I was taking an out-of-town weekend to attend a good friend's bachelorette party and bridal shower. I'd taken off another Friday/Monday combo just three weeks before for a different out-of-town friend's wedding. Add an afternoon I took the dog to the vet, and another day I took when my family visited, and I realized I'd used half of my vacation days for the entire year without having, you know, an actual vacation.
I felt robbed, even heartbroken. I spouted off an angry blurb for the magazine about using all my damn vacation days on all these damn weddings. Realizing that in the entire year I wouldn't be able to take off more than another day here or there, I devised a plan that should be adopted by HR departments everywhere.
It's called Off: Wanna versus Off: Gotta. The Wanna category would be vacation days for true vacation-y activities you do to relax and have fun. Examples: Sailing on Cape Cod, a weekend at the beach, taking a honeymoon, driving along the Pacific Coastal Highway, etc. I suggest ten of these per year, with no roll-over, so us worker bees actually use 'em. Then the Gotta days would be for obligatory stuff: afternoons spent waiting for the cable guy, doctor's appointments, errands—all the crap that accumulates requiring serious time commitments. I suggest an additional ten days a year for these, along with a sympathetic wink from supervisors.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
-
Princess Kate Is Absolutely Nailing the Business Casual Look This Week
Pantsuits everywhere!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
24 Hours With Naomi Osaka
The tennis star on her new beauty routine after welcoming her baby, easing back into tennis, and her self-care ritual.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Leighton Meester Just Went Full Blair Waldorf in Milan
And her dress is in stock!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 10 Best Health Spa Resorts in the U.S.
It’s pampering time.
By Michelle Stansbury
-
The Fashion Editor’s Guide to Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The most stylish things to see and do in the creative hub of Paris, the 6th arrondissement.
By Sara Holzman
-
The Ultimate Guide to Copenhagen
Explore one of the happiest cities in the world.
By Emma Childs
-
The Spring Ski Guide to Beaver Creek
We're making a case for a spring vacay on the slopes.
By Sara Holzman
-
The Ultimate Guide to Paris
Where to stay and what to do in the City of Lights.
By Sara Holzman
-
The 17 Best Luggage Sets of 2023
BRB, setting my "out of office" message.
By Emma Childs
-
The 12 Best Weekender Bags for Women, According to Editors and Experts
In case you needed another reason to be pumped about your trip.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Weekend Guide to the North Fork: Where To Stay, Eat, & Drink
Wine, oysters, and more wine please.
By Sara Holzman