I bet millennials are so sick of hearing that this generation is just a bunch of stuck-ups who don’t know any better—yet somehow, they build more than half of the world’s workforce. Booky founder Ben Wintle even agrees that millennials are essential in the corporate world, especially in the business landscape. I find that to be true because I already see a lot of young people start their own businesses as soon as they graduate from college. How’s that for a stuck-up?
To be honest, I think this generation is one of the most hardworking, but at the same time, we’re also the ones who desire having a more flexible work schedule. There are times when we say office burnout gets the best of us but when we finally get that vacation leave we so desperately want, we still can’t seem to stay away. Why? One word: FOMO.
FOMO means the “fear of missing out,” and according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it’s defined as “anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.”
Personally, I like to disconnect from work as soon as the weekend starts, mainly because I have more important errands to attend to. But I admit I still check my work email at least once a day just to see if I missed any task. When I take a vacation leave, I always need to make sure that everything is spick and span and that I wouldn’t be bombarded with tasks from the week before. I also don’t want to leave my colleagues with ‘unwanted’ burden.
Michael Steinitz, executive director for staffing firm Accountempts, says “When possible, use your vacation time to its fullest potential by unplugging from the office. This helps you come back to work recharged and with a fresh perspective.” Steinitz also noted that it’s not always possible for some employees to completely disconnect. Whether it’s by necessity or choice, people will still check in with the office to ensure that things are under control and moving smoothly in their absence. “Employees who feel the need to connect with work should set clear boundaries to minimize the time they spend attending to office duties,” he added.
So, what can we learn from all this? Know how to take it easy and stop overthinking. We stress too much about taking time off. Sure, our boss may not be sending us Piso Fare or seat sale notifications in our email but they do understand that we need a vacation once in a while. If you still catch yourself checking in, do so in a small window of time. There’s nothing wrong with being aware if it makes you feel less stressed, right? After that window closes, put your phone away, and lose yourself in a relaxing oasis.
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