Out of Office (But Still Slightly Panicking)

Out of Office(ish) - This is me, writing a love letter to my pre-vacation anxiety.

 

Here we are, one week out from vacation. We are smack in the middle of that magical window of time when you're somehow supposed to tie up every loose end at work, finish the laundry, restock the fridge, figure out how to pack 20 outfits/day into a carryon, and convince yourself it's fine to leave your life for a few days. Totally. Fine.

 

I'm here to admit - it's not fine, it's chaos for now.

 

It's also so worth it!

 

This upcoming trip is one we've been looking forward to for several reasons. We are heading out with one whole side of the family (God bless group texts and shared packing lists), and it is going to be amazing. Laughter, sun, the occasional harmless family argument over where to eat or how many times to reapply sunscreen - peak vacation vibes. Brad and I are finally stepping away together - a luxury when you co-own a business and are usually swapping "breaks" like a tag-team in Mortal Kombat. Side note: We love our business. We genuinely do. But it's needy.

 

The thing is, when your name is on the door (metaphorically and literally), walking away feels unnatural and irresponsible. I know that's not true, but it's like your brain won't shut up until every last "what if" has been appeased with a spreadsheet and color-coded contingency plans. There is anxiety, sure. Not because we think the sky will fall, but because we care. We care deeply about our clients, our team, and our work. And that's the part we are learning to hold loosely long enough to take a deep breath and remember: family first.

 

Let me be very clear: this is our busy season! We didn't plan to dip out during peak chaos - it just happened to be the only time the stars aligned for this once-in-a-decade family trip. When the universe tosses you a golden ticket, you don't send it to your spam folder. You say "yes," maybe even "hell yes!" You book the flight. You wrestle with the guilt and the to-do list and your own need to feel indispensable - and then you go on the dang trip. You go because work matters, but not more than your people.

 

So this week is crunch time! I am running on ambition and a lot of coffee. Brad is somehow holding it together because he's an old pro at business ownership and finding balance. We are triple-checking every client file, every handoff note, every little thing that might need love while we're away. Seriously, if this post has a whole mess of typos, it's because sleep is not on the schedule right now.

 

Here is what is keeping me grounded: we've prepared. We've done the work. We've anticipated what we can. We've created backup plans for our backup plans. The hard part is trusting it will be enough.

 

Huge shoutout to our rockstar colleague who is holding down the fort while we are gone, to our dear friends who are house/furbaby sitting for us, and to everyone else who is keeping things moving while we are soaking up some much-needed sun. Thank you to our clients - thank you for your patience while we take a break for some family togetherness. Most of all, thanks to our dear family for pushing us to book the trip!

 

We will still be reachable by email if something pops up that can't wait - or if you just need to get something into our inbox, in preparation for our return. That being said, if it can wait, it will. We will be back, recharged and ready to jump back in with both feet.

 

If you've been waiting for someone to permit you to take a break, this is it. From the words of a dear friend, "Take the trips. Take the pictures." Be proactive, yes, but then let go a little. The world will keep turning while you're at the beach or the cabin or the lake with your weird uncle. Whatever your version of "away" looks like, go there and enjoy! Show up. Be present.

 

We are ready!

 

~Shanna