Just HR, hold the mayo

As we reach the third and final “summer” holidays, I’m reflecting on vacation. I’ll admit that I have not quite mastered the art of staycating in the time of COVID-19. I’ve found it challenging to block off time and force myself to disconnect from the screen that has been the only way I’ve “gone to work” in months. But, I’ve tried and will keep trying as the year progresses - not only because it’s important for me to stay healthy, energized and operating at more than full capacity, but also because I’m more conscious of how my actions may affect my team. I need to set an example that reflects my best self - even if she is a work in progress. 

Before COVID, my wife and I were avid adventurers. To be honest, my wife was the one who spearheaded and I was happy to go along for the ride, hike or flight as the trips we took also played an integral part in fueling our creative practices (her painting, my writing). Since our biggest trips these days involve masking up and going a few blocks to the park, we’ve been looking at photos from past vacations with gratitude for the memories and with hope that we’ll eventually be able to travel safely again. 

When planning a vacation, Hilary knows that all I really need to be happy is a sunny spot outdoors where I can work on my creative writing, read a novel or take a nap while she paints. Over the years, I’ve learned to specify that it would be ideal if said sunny spot wasn’t on the side of a Swiss trail where I’m sharing the road with a herd of cows. I’ve also learned how to type on my phone so that I’m able to follow her over the river and through the woods, so to speak. 

As my responsibilities at work have increased and my love of what I do has also grew, I’ve found it harder and harder to disconnect - to take time for these much-needed vacations. A few years ago when Hilary decided that our big adventure would include going to a dude ranch in Wyoming, I was excited. It sounded perfect until she mentioned there was no internet service. 

Oh, it was spotty and I’d have to drive into town for a few hours every few days to make sure all was okay back at work? 

No, absolutely no service whatsoever. If we went, we’d truly be off the grid. 

I panicked. Could I really do that? What about the meetings, the questions that my team might have in my absence? 

As I sorted out my nerves, I also sorted out my team. In the weeks leading up to my vacation, I worked hard to ensure that everyone was on the same page with what needed to be accomplished; we went over back-ups and I informed all of my key partners, colleagues and stakeholders about the plan in my absence. And then we went over it again. And again. I wasn’t taking any chances. 

It all worked out - sure, there were moments when I found myself reaching for my phone to write an email to nowhere or when I was handed my lunch in advance of a backcountry hike and saw “Just HR” written on the bag and wondered was this some sort of SOS message being conveyed to me somehow from my team across the country? No, it was short for “just horseradish.” Oh, well - you can take the woman off the grid but you might not succeed in taking her out of HR. 

On this Labor Day, may you enjoy some relaxation and rejuvenation!