5 Reasons for Taking Time Off Work to Travel

I’ve had many a job where I was working non-stop and needed a break from it all. And I’ve had many good excuses to take time off work to travel.

I’ve been at that crossroads before, asking myself if I should or shouldn’t do it. Afterall, I do need the money, but I also need the time to myself.

I’ll give you the reasons why I’ve taken that long vacation. This may help you decide if you need to take one too. 

Reasons to Take Time Off to Travel

I’m mostly talking about work here, but I’ve also used these reasons for school and life in general. In my experience, traveling has helped me reset and put me in a whole new mindset. 

1. Needing a Breather

Sometimes I just needed time away from everything. Maybe you’ve been on that hamster wheel, doing the same repetitive things day in and day out.

Or maybe you’re going through some real stress on the job. Well, I’ve had one of those stressful situations and left one job for another (a couple times).

I wish that I had taken a breather in between. That last job caused so much stress, and I should have taken a couple weeks off.

No one wants to go without money, especially when bills pile up. But if you can afford it, take time off for yourself. 

When I left one job for another stressful job, it was like jumping from the skillet into a brush fire.

And let me tell you, whenever I’ve taken that nice little break from work, I can come back refreshed. I can think better and feel like I’ve been recharged.

2. Needing a Change of Scenery

Do you have one of those jobs where you sit at a desk all day? Maybe you stare at a computer screen for hours, days, weeks on end.

Sometimes it can be so demotivating to have a boring job. You might dream of something more exciting.

I’ve had these kind of jobs, and I tell you there is nothing better than to get away and enjoy a change of scenery.

You don’t have to go far. A quick getaway to a small quaint town, the quiet mountains, or a peaceful lake might do.

You also don’t have to splurge and stay on a resort either, unless you absolutely want to. It can be as simple as unwinding at the beach or taking a hike in the forest.

Relaxing in nature is one of the quickest ways for me to reset. Immerse yourself fully in the beauty around you and try not to think about work.

3. Needing an Adventure

I think I’m an adventure-seeker by heart. So when I have a boring job, I feel the need for change. 

I’ve found that going on adventures can quench that thirst and bring on that immediate change.

Again, you don’t have to go very far. You might go hiking deep into the forest or up a mountain to find ruins. 

Or you might explore a Ghost Town, go sailing in the ocean, or go camping under the stars. 

Our adventures on the road can last for weeks. And when we van travel, I forget all about work.

I had a friend who got so bored with his job, he took a career break. He had saved up enough money to travel for one whole year. 

Then he filled up his big backpack and explored the world. He literally traveled to several countries on all the continents.

When he came back, he was ready to work again. But he took an adventure of a lifetime!

4. Feeling Burnt Out

It’s easy to get burnt out working around the clock. I’ve been in positions with long, tedious hours. Or maybe, along with work, you’re also dealing with the stresses of everyday life. 

You might have an overbearing boss who’s breathing down your neck. Or you could be the boss, and your employees are giving you the run around. 

Well, I know once I start getting burnt out, my productivity sure takes a hit. There’s nothing more demotivating than to keep working when the stress is at full force.

I’ve walked into new jobs where someone left months ago, and work has piled up. I found myself in a disaster zone, neck deep.

Sometimes you just need to take some time off before becoming completely burnt off. Even a short road trip can help me see things from a different perspective.

5. Waiting a Long Time for Vacation

I’ve started jobs where I had to wait a long time before I could take time off. Some jobs might only allow you to take a vacation after working for some months.

And with some jobs, you’ll only be able to take your time during certain times of the year. This can feel a bit restrictive if you feel the need to get out of town.

So if you know you’ll be in a situation that won’t allow you to take those trips, you might want to travel beforehand. Get it all out of your system, as we say.

One of the worst jobs I had was when I unknowingly walked right into a toxic cesspool. As soon as I started the new job, I learned that the last person left because of the messy culture.

My new boss fired off emails at 3 a.m., long essays about unrelated topics. My co-workers moped around and complained. 

I prayed over surviving each day at this job, and vacation time was several months away. I couldn’t do it.

Well, I ended up taking a leave of absence and took my time off despite all their rules! No, I didn’t get paid, but I had to get away.

Additional Notes

Not every employer is going to be nice and let you take time off. You might risk losing your job if your time off isn’t granted. 

And when starting a job, I’ve been up front about my travel plans. Once I was interviewing, and told an employee I had booked a trip to Bermuda. They still hired me and had me start training before my trip!

Other employers may not hire you. You’ll have to figure out what is best for you. 

And I’ve always saved money to take breaks. Because traveling while broke isn’t very fun.

Final Thoughts

Taking time off to travel has been the best way for me to unwind from a job. Especially when it has been boring or very stressful.

I’ve never regretted taking breaks to experience peace of mind. And I’m going to keep on doing it!

More About Travel

I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out. 

• I’ll share our van travel tips before hitting the open road.

• Wondering how you can meet people while traveling? Well, I’ll tell you.

• Find out how you can prevent getting sick while traveling. 

I’d love to hear about your travel adventures.

Originally published: June 19, 2024