The Value of Stepping Away

Having just returned from vacation, I am still carrying the memories of the planning, the packing, and the anticipation. With all the catch up work and planning for another upcoming trip, I have found myself asking a simple question: was it worth it?

Was it worth the messages waiting for me when I got home?

Was it worth missing a few things while I was away?

Was it worth the worry that something important might happen while I was unplugged?

My answer is yes.

It was worth it for the early morning sky over Sandpoint, Idaho.

It was worth it for the fresh raspberries I picked almost every morning during the first week of the trip.

It was worth it for the boat rides, jet ski time, and meals on the water.

It was worth it for time with family, quiet mornings on the porch, long hikes, and the gift of being fully present.

It was worth it to see the mountains in Banff, still snow capped and framed by evergreen trees.

It was worth it to see longhorn sheep, a grizzly bear, and even a jackrabbit that stopped and stared me down on the trail at dusk.

It was worth it for the laughter, the fun, the adventure, and the togetherness.

When we step away from the daily routine, something important happens. We make room to breathe. We remember that not everything depends on us. And we give our minds the chance to reset.

That pause matters more than many of us realize.

Studies show that vacation can improve well-being, reduce stress, and support better performance when we return to work. Research has also found that the benefits of vacation can extend beyond the trip itself, especially when people fully disconnect and engage in restorative activities. In one long-term study of business executives, taking vacations was associated with lower mortality risk over time.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih+2

And yet, many people still leave vacation time on the table. In one U.S. survey, workers used an average of 17.4 vacation days while 27.2 percent of earned time went unused. Another report found that 768 million vacation days went unused in a single year, with more than half of employees saying they did not take all the time available to them.edition.cnn+1

The average business person may tell themselves they are too busy to step away, but that mindset can be costly. Taking time off is not a luxury. It is a practical way to restore focus, improve effectiveness, and protect long-term health and longevity.

You owe it to yourself, and to the people you love, to make time to get away. Refresh your thinking. Rest your mind. Be quiet. Be still. Absorb the beauty and experiences that do not happen every day.

So if you have been putting off a vacation, consider this your reminder to plan it, take it, and fully enjoy it. The work will still be there when you return, but you will return better rested, more focused, and more present for the people and responsibilities that matter most.