Va-cay Anyway

To va-cay or not to va-cay, that is the dilemma my friend Ellen faced when her husband was deep in the trenches of a job search. On one hand, the idea of going off to the beach for a week seemed crazy. Peter was job-hunting. He was considering a career change or even a location change that would require them to sell their house and send her into the job market. Their lives were on hold.

But on the other hand … my friend put it this way: “WE NEED TO GET AWAY.”

They needed to get away - not run away - from the stress and uncertainty. So she booked a weeklong vacation. She felt guilty and had a hard time pulling the trigger on the nonrefundable reservation. She bought travel insurance just in case.

When her friend questioned her wisdom of making travel plans, Ellen shared a few good reasons to va-cay during times of anxiety and upheaval:

• Vacations give you perspective. Getting some literal and figurative distance from your situation can offer a glimpse of clarity. Maybe you’re overlooking an obvious networking strategy or searching for a job that wouldn’t suit you even if you found it. A vacation with your family can help you focus on your priorities.
• Vacations give you down time. When you’re looking for a job, you feel like you always need to be looking for a job. You feel guilty when you’re not looking for a job. When you’re on vacation, you’re free to put your job search on hold.
  
• Vacations are fun!

Here are some tips for vacation planning during a job search:

• Go low stress: Now is not the best time to visit an unfamiliar locale far off the beaten path or a tourist destination in peak season. Trips at both extremes can jangle nerves. Avoid complicated travel itineraries with tight connections. Find a vacation that will allow you to relax.
• Pay what you can afford: Don’t create stress by booking a budget-buster vacation. If money is tight, consider an off-season trip or lodging with fewer amenities.
  
• Stay away long enough to decompress: Weekend getaways have their charm, but they don’t allow you enough time to unwind. Try to spend at least four days at your destination.
• Go low tech: Bring your cell phone, your laptop or your Blackberry if you must, but keep the gadgets turned off as much as possible. Reacquaint yourself with your family and remind yourself that mankind survived for many years without these devices.
• Let contacts know: If you’re working with a search firm, let your contacts know the dates you’ll be away. Set up your e-mail to respond that you’re out of town and when you’ll return. Record a voice message on your home and cell phones.

Have a guilt-free good time!