The Biggest Vacation Mistake You Don't Want to Make

Last week, I listened to a podcast about the importance of entrepreneurs taking vacation. (Which was pretty aptly timed since I was planning a quick camping trip for the weekend.)

It's hard to take time away from your business to take a vacation when you're a small business owner or especially a one-person show. My sister always used to say I was so lucky because I could take a vacation whenever I wanted being a self-employed massage therapist. Yes, so lucky! I could take time off, unpaid, and not only that - but my landlord would still let me pay my rent while my massage studio sat there unused! 😂

Michelle Doetsch, LMT and owner of New Yew Healing in Grand Rapids, Michigan says "It's super important to take time off from your business from time to time, even if it's just a day, or even a couple of hours. When I do that consciously and conscientiously I often have insights into my business or myself that I wouldn't have if I were busy seeing clients and doing all of the administrative and operational stuff I have to do as a business owner. Those insights almost always correlate into streamlined processes, new ways to do things, or some other thing that improves some part of my personal or work life. We have to remember that personal insights and/or growth are as important as figuring out how to streamline you intake process. They affect our massage businesses as much as they affect our private life outside the office."

The Fizzle podcast breaks down time off into a few different types of vacations:

• the staycation or “digital detox”
• the shorter "do no work" vacation
• the longer "do some work" vacation
• sabbatical
• living abroad
• paternity/maternity/family leave

It helps to think about planning short trips or staycations if you can't quite take a long trip far away at this time. What it boils down to is that it's SO IMPORTANT for your mental health to take a break from your business.

While these graphs are from an article that is specifically talking about employees taking time off from a company they work for, I still think they are relevant to independent massage therapists who work for themselves.

Kristy Poux, a licensed massage therapist who owns The Silk Mill Retreat in Fredericksburg, Virginia says: "For me personally, I feel like you can't pour from an empty glass. Taking time for myself isn't selfish, it's self care. I can't take care of everyone else if I'm not taking care of myself first and foremost."

I like to go camping because 1) It's quality time with my family. 2) It's the only way to truly unplug. (I still have my phone and iPad so I'm able to check in and make sure things are running smoothly. But if I go somewhere with full electricity and a place to setup my laptop, I'll end up working more than not.) Camping prevents me from doing this. Just sitting around the campfire listening to coyotes and wondering if there are bears that are going to kill me in my sleep ... I need this. It's also really hard for me to not make a little camping trip happen when it's so frugal - doesn't involve a flight or hotel costs, etc.  

Of course, don't get me wrong.... I'd love a long vacation at a spa or an exotic trip to another country. I just know that I can always swing a camping trip even when I think I don't have time or finances to get away.

"Vacation makes you feel refreshed and energized. Simply changing up your everyday routine and getting several nights of truly restful sleep can give you a new sense of vigor to look at your challenges with a fresh perspective and return to the office ready to make big strides toward your goals." AllBusiness.com

So it's time to ask yourself:
How often do you take time off throughout the year? What kinds of ways do you feel re-inspired about your work after a vacation?
Because the biggest vacation mistake you don't want to make it to not take one.

You work hard taking care of your clients. The Bodywork Buddy massage software dashboard shows you just how hard you work!

Take care of yourself and schedule some time off this Summer. You deserve it!

Cindy Iwlew is a licensed massage therapist who has had a private practice since 1999 and cofounder of Bodywork Buddy massage software.
www.bodyworkbuddy.com