Americans — you need to take a break. We all need to take a break, travel, get away, unplug, cease doing, scrolling or texting!
In France, almost everyone takes a month off, vacating for — primarily — the entirety of August. Doesn’t that sound fabulous? Of course, the French also have universal healthcare and solid parental leave policies, like much of the planet, with the notable exception of the U.S. Why can’t we have nice things? Don’t get me started. I’m on vacation.
Also, please don’t bring up the shooting in Pennsylvania, the weirdness of the GOP convention or the energizing change at the top of the Dem ticket. More on that next month, when I am done vacating. But — can this year get any more — weird? Intense? Discombobulating? Ignore that question: I’m vacating (trying to…).
We vacate in this country for, on average, 11 days per year, which is the least recorded amount of vacation days taken by citizens among developed nations. Even the highly disciplined Japanese do better than we Yanks do, and by quite a lot. People, this non-vacating thing is a problem. It’s no wonder we’re cranky!
Weeknights and weekends in the internet age, when our bosses, clients or co-workers might be in touch via email, text or even social media, often finds us working after hours while officially “off the clock,” making truly unplugging an even more precious and elusive commodity, one that is absolutely necessary for a happy, healthy life. Vacationing is defined (by me) as getting out and away from the daily locale and grind, accompanied by immediate family or close friends only; no work allowed. None, nyet, nada. None.
My dad worked seven days a week for much of his professional life, which made sense as he was a Depression-era baby whose concerns about money never entirely faded. But what’s our excuse, current generations? Get off the computer/phone/social media and go explore! Y’only live once. Unplug, Neo, go see the world, or — at least — see the USA. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but it’s actually pretty great.
On my vacations I read. Away for a week? I take a bag of books, expecting to leave at least two en route in airports, on train or bus seats, but I have also left finished novels many other places: here, read this, unknown friend. Unless the book was so awful I couldn’t stand it, then I do everyone a favor and toss it. Reading is fundamental, meditative, an escape, a life-long joy. Reading on vacation, while completely ignoring that monstrously addictive mini-computer by my side or, better yet, having left mini-dictator back in my room? Bliss.
My preference is a lake vacation, because the beach is great for only about 15 minutes if I am completely covered, and slathered with sun block. Lake water is also, after the clean, clear water of Catskill mountain creeks, my most favorite element. And please, I’m on vacation, don’t make me hike in the mountains, although I will walk with you on a cool morning, most summer days. I did that once, hike on a vacation, a trip that began with a float plane ride into remote British Columbia, walking the Mackenzie Trail back to civilization over the course of two weeks. Gorgeous scenery, but, no thanks, one and done. Carrying 60 pounds on my back, eating dried meats and fruits while being eaten by various bugs, attempting to sleep on the ground: Not my idea of a relaxing break. Swimming in a lake, reading (in the shade) while sipping a gin and tonic, the scent of fresh food being cooked by someone other than myself on a grill wafting my way? Yes, please!
Many American leave vacation days unused, often going more than a year between breaks. The challenges of taking time off amidst busy lives, planning trips while meeting social or familial obligations are a couple of the reasons we don’t vacate. The good news is younger Americans are better at taking time off than older generations. They’re also more likely to travel abroad. After World War II, about 70% of all Americans had lived in a city or area other than their hometowns for a significant amount of time; mobilization to fight that war required travel on a massive scale. The post-war years were also a time when our society moved ahead by leaps and bounds, improving opportunity for all, increasing union participation, and — ultimately — codifying civil and women’s rights. Nowadays, only about 30% of Americans have lived or traveled more than 40 miles away from their origins for an extended period; I believe this lack of exposure to the beautiful, diverse and wider world is reflected in our current cranky lives and politics.
America: give yourselves and each other a break. Vacate!