Out of Office, Out of Excuses! How I Finally Took the Trip & My Own Advice!
Newsflash, I am not an avid vacationer. Not because I don't enjoy a change of scenery, a glimpse into another culture, or sampling new cuisine. And I'm definitely not vacation averse, as I’m always game for a 3 day girls trip or a long weekend with the family. But a true vacation, we’re talking 7 days plus, seems daunting! The time away from my businesses, the reliance on others to fill in, the catch-up when returning, and don’t forget the exhausting prep and planning that a long vacation truly involves. The mere thought of these obstacles is enough to keep me planning comfortable 3 day jaunts. But time is not static. I have aging parents and a growing daughter, and knowing there is nothing like the present to seize your opportunities, I decided it was time!
So the fact that I just survived, enjoyed, and truthfully thrived on a 10 day vacation with my family is a testament that we can all make the hard choice to prioritize ourselves. How did I do it, you ask? I outsourced! I planned ahead. I hired professionals. I relied on the people in my sphere. I asked for help! I started Insomnia Mom to help women resist the stigma of asking for help and to give them resources to help outsource their overwhelm. Looks like I just needed to take a little of my own advice.
Check out my list of resources, from the mundane to absolutely necessary to help you enjoy & thrive on your next vacation!
1. ✅ Create a Shared Packing Checklist
Whether it’s a Google Doc or an app like PackPoint, make one list for the whole family and reuse it. Delegate packing tasks to older kids or partners—this isn’t a one-mom show.
2. 📅 Book Your Airport Ride Now
Seriously. Schedule your Uber or car service ahead of time. Future-you will not miss that mad dash and overpriced last-minute surge pricing.
3. 📦 Order Travel-Size Essentials Online
Skip the drugstore scramble. Create a saved cart with your go-to mini toiletries and hit "order" before every trip.
4. 👩💻 Set an Out-of-Office Email That Actually Sets Boundaries
This isn’t the place for “I’ll try to check email while I’m away…” No, you won’t. And you shouldn’t.
5. 🧾 Block Off a Catch-Up Day After You Return
Don’t land back into meetings and laundry. Schedule your return like an introvert: with space. This changed everything.
6. 🧹 Book a Cleaning Service for the Day You Return
Coming home to a clean house = instant nervous system reset. Bonus points if you get fresh sheets. CLICK HERE to check out our Marketplace cleaning service providers.
7. 📲 Use a Travel Planning App or Spreadsheet
Everything—flight info, reservations, packing list, budget—goes in one spot. Your brain deserves the break.
8. 👨👩👧 Assign Vacation Roles
Divide and conquer. One person books excursions, one tracks logistics, one handles food plans. Kids can help too.
9. 📞 Line Up Your “Home Team”
Dog walker. Plant waterer. Neighbor to check the mail. Don’t leave gaps that leave you stressed.
10. 👩💼 Delegate With a Real Handoff
If you run a business (or even just your household!), don’t assume others know what to do. Write it down. Record a Loom video. Don’t ghost your responsibilities—transfer them.
11. 🧘♀️ Schedule a Buffer Day for You
The day before you leave, or after you return. Block it off. No appointments, no laundry, no to-dos. Just decompression.
12. 🌍 Hire a Travel Concierge or Local Expert
I know, I know—it sounds indulgent. But it's a game changer! Travel consultants really do have the inside scoop on how to maximize your vacation, get great deals, book everything you want on your itinerary & fix things if they go wrong. CLICK HERE for our Marketplace Travel service providers.
