Good morning, Tuesday. It sure is gloomy here in the city and all I really want to do is get back in bed and cuddle with Khan (David, you can be there too) and watch some quality Bravo television. Or what I'd really like to do is take a vacation. A real vacation. As in completely off the grid for 7-10 days at the very least. As in, peace out lunatics. As in, well you know...
This all hit me this morning as I watched the Today show this am (when oh when are they going to help Savannah with her flaccid hair, when Lord when? She needs dry shampoo in a big way). As I was getting dressed and frantically trying to find my other shoe as Khan looked on, I couldn't help but stop and watch the story about how Americans are taking fewer and fewer vacations. That they have the days from their employers but just don't take them, because they fear that they will be made redundant, that the risk of being overloaded and overwhelmed with work when one comes back is too great, or that there's simply too much to do to just pick up and leave. And when you think about the French and their 30 days of vacation, it stands to reason that we have all lost our damn minds. Nowhere is this more prevalent than my industry, advertising.
After all of these years in this mad industry, I've noticed a big reluctance or even perverse buyer's remorse when it comes to booking a vacation. In adland, there is never a right time to take time off, and for anyone in our industry to openly discussed a booked trip to the Maldives or to Minnesota is in poor form. If you book it, for G-d's sake don't discuss it, unless you're quietly telling your team or your boss that you will indeed need some time off, wincing a bit the whole time you say it because well, it's not acceptable that you should have a life and not be part of some new business pitch, some million dollar shoot, or jockeying for position to take what's rightfully yours. But that taking comes with a price, and the price is truly your life, or lack thereof. Often I think there's almost a fear amongst people in our industry of not knowing what to do with themselves on vacation- it's easier to connect with the cute boys and girls in the office than it it with one's own family- what the hell is there to do with your family for a week anyway? And don't even think about showing your favorite snaps from the Loire Valley- nobody wants to see them and nobody cares. Now get back to work.
I've seen it happen in my very own life many times. When I've canceled plans to go somewhere because I was afraid to give up a shoot and have somebody cover for me. I recall David feeling edgy as we left for Paris because his agency was doing some huge pitch that he was feeling crappy about not being a part of. To some of you, this will sound familiar. To others, it may sound insane. But what's common and true for almost all of us is you really, really need to take a vacation. All of us do. In this 24/7/365 existence, the value of some time off to shut off is probably asi mportant to your health as eating your greens. And there should be no negotiating.
As a country we've always taken great pride in our alpha work ethic, but as the French and Spanish and Italians and pretty much everyone else laughs behind our backs as they toast us from Rioja, Morocco, or Jamaica, is it really worth it? Is the economy better because we're working harder than ever before? Does the midnight oil ever go out, even when one is sick, tired, or simply in need of a good hug? Nope. None of the above. And as we search for ways to be more productive and recover from the economic meltdown, maybe it's simply a matter of taking some time off- to recharge, refresh, and mellow the fuck out.
So when I scanned my Facebook feed this morning, I couldn't help but roll my eyes when i came across a status update from Vayama, an online travel agency specializing in overseas adventures. Before me was the above picture, with the caption "Have you ever visited the Sea Cliffs in Etratat, France'? Um, no, no I haven't. But dang I would love to. Right after I finish this project, or maybe not, because even planning a vacation feels like too much work amidst all of this work.
And lest you think I'm complaining about how much work I have or becoming a Communist, I'm not. I'm simply saying we need to rethink this vacation thing, cause the stress envy/I work more hours than you do thing is starting to get on my nerves. We all need a vacation, now more than ever. You have my permission to take one, and hopefully when I ask for time off, I'll have yours. Because life is going on all around me and I'm afraid I just may be missing it.
Cause that's what's up this sea cliffs are nice this time of year kind of Tuesday in the hardest working city on Earth. I have ten status calls today and many fish to fry. All the love and XO.