How to Stop Work From Crashing Your Vacation Like an Uninvited Plus-One

By Will Price

Picture this:

It’s the Christmas holidays, your first break in 5 months and you’re on a tropical island. Clifftop bar with a glass of Rose in your hand and a mental list of all the amazing places you’re going to visit over the next two weeks.

Then… you’re frantically writing e-mails because surprise! Work just can’t wait.

That’s exactly what happened to me on a trip to Siquijor (look it up, it’s worth it as the photos show) last year. While my wife and extended family were splashing in the ocean, I was typing away, mentally waving at them from the shore. The guilt? Off the charts. The tan? Patchy at best.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. With smartphones, laptops, and “just quickly” checking email becoming second nature, vacations are turning into… well, just working somewhere hotter.

So how do you actually disconnect without your inbox staging a coup? The team here (and a few battle-scarred vacationers) have some advice.

1. Prep Like You’re Planning a Heist (But for Fun)

– Announce your escape: Tell your team your vacation dates, block them on the office calendar, and politely warn everyone you’ll be unreachable.

–Start the wrap-up early: Instead of pulling a work-all-night marathon before your flight, identify what needs doing a week before you go.

–Time-block strategically: Reserve the afternoon before you leave for loose ends and your first day back for catching up.

–Auto-replies are your friend: “I’ll respond when I’m back” beats “I’ll respond the second my plane lands.”

2. If You Must Work… Contain It

Some people can’t vanish entirely (we see you, overachievers). In that case:

-Set a daily check-in time like first thing in the morning. Afterwards, close the laptop and walk away.

-Decide on your “break glass in case of emergency” contact method.

-Do not fall into the “I’ll just peek for a second” trap. We know how that ends.

3. Hide the Tech Like It’s Halloween Candy

-Turn off notifications. (Your brain will thank you.)

-Delete work apps temporarily and bonus points if you need to call IT to reinstall them later.

-Better yet, don’t even bring your work phone. If it’s not in the bag, it can’t follow you to the pool.

4. Leaders, You Set the Vibe

If you’re a manager who answers emails from a hammock, your team will feel like they should, too. Model the behaviour you want to see: unplug, and your people will follow suit. Extra credit if you help them hand off projects before they go.

5. Remember Why You’re Doing This

Psychologists say time off boosts mental health, strengthens relationships, and recharges your creative batteries. Or, put simply:

Rest is productive.

Fun is fuel.

Memories beat meetings.

I’m already planning my next beach trip this time with no laptop, no urgent deadlines, and no missing firsts.

Here’s your permission slip to do the same. Your inbox will still be there when you get back. The baby’s first splash in the sea? That’s one shot only. Don’t miss it.

And here’s a thought: Even if you’ve mastered the art of switching off from work, financial worries can still hitch a ride on your holiday. That’s where a trusted financial adviser comes in.

We can help put the right plans in place, so your money is working for you freeing you to focus on the moments that matter most, not the market. One of the best investments you can make is in your own peace of mind… especially when there’s a deck chair with your name on it.

Reach out to us here to schedule a no-pressure first conversation to begin your financial planning journey.