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I Took a Vacation. And I Liked It.

September 20, 2016 By Lena

After eight long years, I finally did it. I took a real, bona fide vacation.

I didn’t check my email. I didn’t rush to publish blog posts. (Did you miss me?) I didn’t tweet from the restaurant, stop what I was doing to capture the perfect Instagram photo (okay, maybe once or twice) or click on Facebook’s “Message Waiting” icon. I left my laptop in my carry-on luggage and sent all incoming phone calls to voice mail.

And I didn’t feel bad. At all. Not even a little bit.

The social media world did not fall apart without me. When I accessed my blog this morning, it was still here. No one called me out for failing to respond to a tweet; no one demanded an immediate email response. I was able to rest, relax and rejuvenate. It was glorious.
14240688_798483933587281_622348575_nThis week, I’m back to the grind. I spent the entire evening in catch-up mode and I shudder to think of all the deliverables coming up. But it’s worth it. I have newfound focus, clarification and determination. I know what I want to do and who I want to be. And I know I need to take vacations more often – especially to destinations that have palm trees and rum punch. Oh yes.

For now, it’s back to business! It’s good to be back, friends!

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: out of office, vacation

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leslie Crosbie

    September 21, 2016 at 7:23 am

    Glad your trip was great!!
    Now it is time for me to have one and hopefully soon!

  2. Debbie Bashford

    September 21, 2016 at 7:26 am

    I think it is very healthy to take a complete break to enjoy ones self, family and friends a few times a year

  3. kathy downey

    September 21, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Glad to hear your trip went well,we all need to get away some times and reboot!

  4. Soozle

    September 21, 2016 at 10:16 am

    Glad to hear you had a wonderful get away! there is something so special about holidays and really unplugging from the daily grind – it really invigorates and refreshes you!

  5. Florence C

    September 21, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    I think it is important to unplug when on vacation but it is difficult to do. Congrats on doing that and having a great vacation.

  6. Cheryl

    September 21, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    Welcome back! Glad you had some time to “unplug” this is crucial

  7. Marissa

    September 21, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    Glad to hear that you had a wonderful, relaxing vacation with your family. Love all your instagram pics.

  8. Lynda Cook

    September 21, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself, and you left the electronics alone!! glad to have you back!!

  9. Judy Cowan

    September 21, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    Welcome back! Glad you had a great vacation!

  10. mrdisco

    September 21, 2016 at 9:37 pm

    Don’t let your dreams be dreams.

  11. Chandra O'Connor

    September 22, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    Sounds like you needed it. Glad it was relaxing.

  12. mrdisco

    September 22, 2016 at 10:00 pm

    I need to go on vacation to collect those Sprite cans

  13. LisaM

    September 24, 2016 at 9:33 am

    That sounds glorious. And makes me super anxious!

  14. AD

    September 24, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    Eight years?! Sheesh, I thought I was bad at going 4 years without a proper vacation! I hope you enjoyed your well-deserved time off.

  15. La Cuisine d'Helene

    September 27, 2016 at 11:49 am

    It’s always nice to disconnect, once in a while. I’m sure you enjoyed your time off :)

  16. Stephanie LaPlante

    September 29, 2016 at 11:27 am

    Everybody needs a break sometimes. So glad you enjoyed yourself! You definitely deserved it after 8 years!

  17. Susan Hanley

    October 2, 2016 at 11:59 am

    It’s good to unplug and to take time to restore and rejuvenate. Good for you.

  18. Linda Klages

    October 2, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    we did that a few years ago in Cuba – really good idea

  19. Susan T.

    October 3, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    Unplugging is so important. We get so caught up in social media that it gets addictive and a chore at the same time!

  20. Violet Poon

    October 11, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    I love taking cruises for that reason that I’m totally cut off and I don’t check the internet and no calls for the whole time!

  21. Terri Baker

    October 12, 2016 at 6:42 am

    So glad to you had great time!

  22. Krista M

    October 12, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    I find that I think I will miss my electronics but once I’m surrounded by peacefulness, nature, & sunshine on vacation I don’t even miss my social media life at all. It’s so good for the soul to get away from it all!

  23. Donna Wilson

    October 13, 2016 at 5:42 am

    Hope you had a great vacation. We all need a break from this busy world now and then.

  24. Kathy Fowler

    October 27, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    Love taking time off for myself – good for the soul

  25. BobbiJo pentney

    November 5, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Glad you had a great time and welcome back to reality.

  26. Rachel Enns

    December 16, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Everyone needs some time off every once in awhile. This reminds me that I need some time too.

  27. Linda Klages

    January 10, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    I think it’s important to every once in a while, just veg on a vacation – read some books, get in touch with your spouse and forget about work.

  28. Treen Goodwin

    May 26, 2017 at 10:59 am

    Sounds like a great trip , i can dream lol glad to hear you had a Wonderful time :)

  29. Debbie White Beattie

    June 2, 2017 at 10:59 pm

    Everyone should be able to take a vacation with no work and I’m glad you really enjoyed yourself. Here’s to your next me only vacation !

  30. Donna L.

    September 23, 2017 at 2:04 am

    I need a relaxing getaway too.

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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