Taking Time Off

Yesterday, during a conversation with colleagues at work, we discussed how many paid leaves each of us has left this year.

I was surprised that many around me have over fifty paid leaves collecting dust in their accounts.

They rarely take leaves at work.

On the other hand, I am pretty liberal with how I spend my time off. I opt for my paid leaves when I see the need for them and don't keep them piling up.

For example, at this moment, I have around thirteen paid leaves in my account, which is a measly amount compared to what others have.

But that's not the strange part. What struck me as weirdly illogical is that when I mentioned the number of leaves I have left, one of my colleagues said, “Keep it down, bro. This isn't something you say out loud.”

A general trend around taking time off over here is not to take time off.

People would rather push themselves too hard and burn out than take well-timed days or weeks off and recharge.

And the worst part is that if you happen to be on the other side and take some time off now and then, you'll be judged and, worst, shamed for it.

I remember having a conversation with a junior who told me that he was scared to opt for days off as it would leave a wrong impression of him within the company and might get him fired.

What a ridiculous thing to say, given that these are all leaves that he has earned by working hard in the first place.

I'm glad to be on the other side of this charade and not putting my life on hold because of public opinion.

There's no shame in opting for your deserved leaves at work to take a step back, slow down, relax and come back stronger.

Life and, by extension, work as well is not a sprint but a marathon. You stay longer in the game by taking occasional breaks and filling your energy tanks.

There's also a life outside your work. Taking time off from work helps you tend to those unattended areas of your life — like being with your family, celebrating some occasion, being lost in a hobby or travelling.

Take more time off and enjoy a moment or two.