Taking the Guilt Out of Vacation
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your calendar, trying to justify taking a week off, you’re not alone. Therapists are professionals at helping others find balance, but when it comes to taking our own advice, guilt tends to sneak in. We tell clients to rest, to set boundaries, to make space for joy. Then we convince ourselves that our clients can’t possibly manage without us for a few days.
Why We Feel So Guilty About Time Off
Therapists carry a deep sense of responsibility. We know how much our clients rely on consistency, and it can feel selfish to prioritize our own needs. Add in the fear of losing momentum in treatment or the worry that clients might relapse while we’re gone, and suddenly a simple vacation becomes a moral dilemma.
But guilt doesn’t serve us, and it doesn’t serve our clients either. Burnout can be subtle, and once it sets in, it affects everything: our empathy, our focus, our patience, and even our creativity in session.
Time Away Makes Us Better Therapists
A few years ago, I almost didn’t take a cruise I had been planning. I told myself I couldn’t step away from my caseload, that there would never be a “good time.” But the truth is, there never really is a perfect time. Waiting for one only makes the need for rest grow louder.
Once I finally did go, I remembered what true rest actually feels like. No phone buzzing, no client emergencies, just quiet mornings at sea and a reminder that life can move at a gentler pace. When I came back, I showed up differently. I was sharper, more grounded, and more present, which is the version of myself my clients truly needed.
Reframing the Guilt
Instead of seeing vacation as an interruption, try viewing it as part of your professional sustainability plan. Taking time away doesn’t mean abandoning your clients. It means modeling healthy boundaries and self-care. It means practicing what we teach.
If you still feel uneasy, start small. Take a long weekend, plan coverage with a trusted colleague, and remind yourself that you are entitled to rest just like anyone else.
You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
You can’t pour from an empty cup, but you can sip one by the pool.
That’s where I come in. I’m a therapist and travel advisor who helps other therapists plan the vacation they deserve without the overwhelm or second-guessing. Whether it’s a quick getaway or the dream trip you’ve been putting off, I’ll handle the details so you can focus on what matters most: letting yourself rest.
When you’re ready to take the guilt out of vacation, let’s plan your next escape together.
Connect with me and get started!
