When I lived in Belgium, everyone took off the last two weeks of the year. In fact, we got six weeks of vacation every year. Uninterrupted time away. My admin used to reprimand anyone who would try to get in touch with me while I was away. I remember thinking I would never take the time allotted. Who could afford SIX weeks of leave? I took every minute of it. It was glorious. What a different quality of life. For example, after the two weeks off at the end of the year, I would come back refreshed and rejuvenated for a new year to come. (brief aside, in Belgium, they would give the traditional three kisses at the start of each year, I almost died when my VP greeted me that morning, in the U.S. he would have been locked up).
This year, I actually took off the three days between Christmas and New Years. It was the first time in many years and it was just what I needed to get my spirits back. It was great time with my kids, my husband and my friends. The proof was felt when I didn’t get the urge to maim anyone who pissed me off the first day back at work.
