How to Take Time Off (and Actually Come Back Better)

Taking time off should be simple. But for a lot of high-performing professionals, it isn’t.

You’re not just managing your schedule, you’re managing guilt. You’re not just prepping your out-of-office, you’re navigating identity. You want the break, but you also want to feel indispensable.

I’ve been there. Early in my career, I measured my worth by my availability. I believed that being the one who never needed time off somehow made me more valuable. In reality, it just made me tired and more reactive than strategic.

It’s taken me a long time to learn how to take real, restorative time away. I’m still learning. But here’s what I know now: stepping away isn’t just okay. It’s essential.

So here’s a framework I wish I’d had earlier—how to take time off in a way that actually serves your work, your team, and your own well-being.

Start with your mindset.

Time away isn’t a reward. It isn’t a luxury. It’s part of sustaining good work. If you’re leading others, say that out loud. Model it. Talk about how time off helps you return with better ideas, better energy, better discernment. If you’re in a culture that still subtly rewards burnout, naming this might be the most radical thing you do all year.

Plan your re-entry before you leave.

This one changed everything for me. Don’t just plan your exit—plan your return. Block a no-meeting day if you can. Leave yourself notes that don’t just list unfinished tasks, but actually help you reorient to what matters. Ask yourself, “What will future me need to feel grounded again?” Then build that into your prep, just like your out-of-office message.

Prep with confidence, not overcompensation.

A lot of us try to “earn” our vacation by over-functioning before we leave. That usually backfires. Instead of scrambling to do it all, decide what actually needs to be done before you go, and what can wait. Don’t pack your calendar so tight that you leave exhausted. You don’t need to prove that you deserve the time. You already do.

Decide how off you’re going to be, and tell people.

Time off doesn’t have to mean total radio silence, but it does require intention. Whether you’re unplugging completely or checking email once a day, be clear about your boundaries. Communicate them ahead of time. Clarity helps everyone—not just your team, but you.

Don’t expect rest to fix everything.

Sometimes we treat vacation like a cure-all. We want it to magically fix our burnout, our stress, our lack of clarity. And sometimes, it does help a lot. But sometimes, it just gives us a little more capacity to face what’s hard. That’s okay too. Rest doesn’t need to solve everything to be worth it.

Reflect before you dive back in.

Before you get swept into catch-up mode, take a breath. What did you notice while you were away? What felt different? What’s clearer now? What do you want to bring back with you—not just in your calendar, but in your way of working?

The truth is, most of us don’t need help working harder. We need help recovering better. Your mission deserves your full self. And your full self needs rest.

So take the time. Wander a little. Unplug more than you think you need. And when you come back, bring with you the clarity, creativity, and calm that only real time away can offer.