Holiday Paid Time Off: A Hybrid Boomer Reflection
For a long time, I treated holiday paid time off like an optional benefit.
Working from home and operating in a hybrid work model made it easy to convince myself that I didn’t really need to step away. I wasn’t commuting or rushing. I could “just check in” if needed.
So I did.
I answered emails. Responded to messages. Took calls when I wasn’t supposed to. On paper, I was off. In reality, I was still working.
Over time, I realized that holiday paid time off only works if you actually take it.
Why I Stopped Working Through Holidays
At first, it felt productive to stay available. I told myself I was being responsible. Helpful. Committed.
But what I was really doing was erasing the boundary between work and life.
Hybrid work already blurs those lines. When you work from home, your office is always there. Your laptop doesn’t close itself. And without intention, holidays quietly turn into just another workday only slower.
Eventually, I noticed the cost. I wasn’t returning to work refreshed. I was returning tired, distracted, and still carrying stress from before the break.
That’s when I understood that time off is not about being unavailable it’s about being human.
What Holiday Paid Time Off Is Really For
Holiday paid time off is not meant to be filled with productivity or obligation.
It’s meant to create space.
Time to disconnect from work demands.
A chance to reconnect with people who matter.
Permission to rest without explaining yourself.
When I stopped checking email and truly stepped away, something shifted. My mind slowed down. My patience returned and I started enjoying the moments I used to rush through.
The work was still there when I came back. But I was better prepared to meet it.
How I Choose to Spend Holiday Time Now
I don’t put pressure on myself to make every holiday “perfect.”
Sometimes I go out and enjoy local events, concerts, or sporting games. Other times, I volunteer, take long walks, or simply spend time with people I don’t see often enough.
And sometimes, I do absolutely nothing.
That’s been the hardest lesson to accept but also the most rewarding. Rest doesn’t need to be earned. It’s necessary.
Why This Matters More in Hybrid Work
As a Hybrid Boomer, I’ve learned that working from home doesn’t automatically mean better balance.
Without clear breaks, work expands into every corner of the day. Holiday paid time off becomes one of the few built-in opportunities to reset if we let it.
Getting out of the house, changing routines, or even just shutting the laptop and work phone completely sends a powerful signal that work does not own all of my time.
What I Know Now
I no longer see holiday paid time off as time away from responsibility.
I see it as an investment in my energy, my relationships, and my long-term ability to keep showing up well.
Work will always be there.
Holidays will keep coming.
But my well-being depends on whether I allow myself to truly step away.
And now, I do.
This is a reminder from the Hybrid Boomer for you to disconnect from work on holidays and truly enjoy the moments.
Show your pride in being a Hybrid Boomer – visit my online store.
If you found this information helpful, click the button below to leave a donation to help support the site. I appreciate your visit!
