3 Reasons Why “Workcation” Is the Best Investment for My Health

Dear Reader,

In my case, workcations have become my best investments, and maybe it’s something for you to consider. I use workcation to recharge my batteries and focus on my next move.

Work + Vacation = Workcation

Some people need to go for a run or spend hours in the gym to clear their heads. I need to write. Occasionally, I also need a break from other people and freelance gigs to maintain my sanity.

I’m a child of nature, and I prefer to be in a peaceful, quiet place without too many people around me. My favorite place is a cottage in North Denmark near the sea where I take daily walks on the empty beach. The ocean is the perfect inspirational soundtrack for me to tap into my creativity and generate new ideas.

Focus on Goals

Say goodbye to an annual work plan and hello to a three month strategy.

I used to make an annual work plan for my business, but life happened, projects failed, or I felt stuck after 4 months. It also didn’t help that I lost my spark when working as an editor in the publishing industry. I knew it was time for a change.

I borrowed a cottage in October of last year to get away from everything, see things more clearly, make realistic plans, and set attainable goals for the near future.

While I took a break from my “real life,” I realized I have wonderful people and platforms in my corner. My job was to do what I’m best at: writing and generating ideas from other people’s projects. That was it, without all the noise or different roles I usually had to play. I’m not a salesperson, and I didn’t want to be a full-time editor anymore. From that perspective, I came up with a three-month strategy with only three realistic goals:

1. I wanted to become part of the writer team for a major publication that publishes Snapchat stories for young adults.
2. I wanted to publish articles about Kierkegaard’s existential philosophy.
3. I wanted my freelance gigs to be profitable and meaningful.

Can you guess whether I achieved these three goals in the three months that followed? I absolutely did.

While I took a break from my “real life”, I realized I have wonderful people and platforms in my corner.

My frustrations didn’t disappear overnight. I still have to work hard, but the journey is fun, and I celebrate every little milestone on the way. Instead of figuring it all out myself, I have found some people who inspires and coach me. Some of them have successfully done what I aim to do. They know what their audience is looking for and have learned from their mistakes.

Overall Flow

It’s easy to get into a flow when I’m in the cottage without having to deal with the constant notifications and usual disturbances of daily life. I do have to mention, though, that I always keep a schedule for the week. I’m not completely flexible; I do need some structure, and every time I’m away I follow the same routine:

Morning

I get up around 6:30am and go for my morning walk. It helps me clear my head and focus on the plans I have for the day.

When I come back from my walk on the beach, I read fiction for half an hour before making a soft-boiled egg for breakfast. From 8:30 am-12.00 pm, I work on the day’s tasks.

Noon

After a nice lunch, I take a long break. I read fiction, go for a short walk, or take a power nap. This relaxation time is important for my productivity.

Afternoon

I work until 3:00pm and go for another long beach walk. Usually, I’m done for the day and can spend the rest of it doing anything I feel like. Maybe I go window-shopping in the small town nearby or read fiction to escape to another world. The last time I went on a workcation, I read “War and Peace” by Tolstoy.

It is essential for my soul to make time to study philosophy, read great literature, and write.

Evening

The evening is my favorite time of the day. I celebrate the day’s achievements with some chocolate or a glass of wine if I have finished a piece. I like to eat well-prepared meals, but cooking doesn’t interest me much. The first night in the cottage, I make a stew, so I don’t have to think about dinner for the next couple of days.

I finish the day by the fireplace reading a book, and by 9:00pm, I’m ready to go to bed.

Final Thoughts

Nowadays I go on a workcation every three months. It helps me focus on my goals. It is essential for my soul to make time to study philosophy, read great literature, and write.

Your workcation doesn’t have to be expensive, and you don’t have to go far away and stay in a quiet, exotic place for weeks. I can get into the same flow of generating ideas by taking a walk in nature near my house. However, going on a workcation is more intense, and I have already made plans for my next one.

Do you think a workcation is right for you?

This essay was originally published on Medium.