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.
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.
-
Princess Eugenie Welcomes Second Baby
This name!
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Finally, Stylish Summer Jewelry You Can Sweat, Swim, and Shower in
Waterproof pieces you can keep on all summer long.
By Emma Childs
-
These Brushes Will Completely Change How You Apply Makeup
The Kevyn Aucoin The Duet Foundation Brush is our desert island pick.
By Samantha Holender
-
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