Why I Worked on Vacation—and Why That’s Not a Problem
Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts
You ever feel like the only “real” vacation is one where you completely disappear from your inbox, leave your laptop at home, and spend seven days sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere remote?
Yeah. That’s a myth—and a toxic one at that.
As a solopreneur, I recently took a two-week “break,” and spoiler alert: I worked on vacation. And you know what? It didn’t ruin the rest. It actually made the whole thing better.
Let’s dismantle some BS ideas about time off, rest, and what it actually means to build a burnout-proof business.
💥 Myth #1: Real rest means full disconnection
Look, I love a fully unplugged beach week as much as the next high-achiever. But sometimes, checking out entirely just isn’t realistic. Especially if you're still building your business, running client programs, or prepping for something like a major speaking engagement.
I brought my laptop to Hawaii. Yep. I worked by the pool. I met with my SAT students one day. I even cleaned out my inbox while watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with my family. It wasn’t hustle—it was intentional maintenance.
👉 Burnout-proof truth: Sometimes strategic check-ins prevent the chaos avalanche that hits when you come back. A few low-energy work blocks kept me from drowning in hundreds of emails. And that helped me relax more—not less.
💥 Myth #2: Vacations have to be expensive or exotic
Sure, Hawaii was the first half of my time off. But the second half? It was a local staycation retreat about an hour from home—organized through a business group I’m part of. No flights. No elaborate logistics. Just a rejuvenating few days filled with yoga, quiet time, and meaningful connections.
You don’t have to drain your bank account to recharge. Sometimes the most restorative rest happens close to home—especially when you strip out the logistical chaos.
👉 Burnout-proof tip: Try a local staycation. Cut the stress, keep the rest.
💥 Myth #3: If you work at all, you’re “doing vacation wrong”
This all-or-nothing mindset is everywhere. And it’s just as toxic around vacation as it is around self-care or productivity.
Let me be clear: Strategic rest is not the same as complete disconnection. I planned a few intentional work sessions—half-days, not marathons—that allowed me to be present the rest of the time.
I worked with students on a set schedule, facilitated a retreat session, and hosted an implementation lab for my Burnout-Proof Business program (which, by the way, is where this kind of strategy gets baked into your biz systems).
👉 What made it sustainable: Clear boundaries. Low-pressure tasks. No scrambling. And permission to mix rest with light work in a way that supported me.
What Strategic Time Off Actually Looked Like
🔹 Hawaii (June 1–7): Beach, family, and a couple client calls. I gave students one specific day they could meet with me—take it or leave it.
🔹 Staycation Retreat (June 8–11): Nature walks, group sessions, paddleboarding, yoga, and yes—a little slide deck prep.
🔹 Speaking Engagement in New Orleans (June 12–15): A few sessions, one big keynote, then Bourbon Street, food, friends, and dancing.
It wasn’t two weeks of total chill—but it was two weeks of intentionality. I didn't feel like I lost momentum, and I still came back feeling refreshed.
💥 Myth #4: Rest only counts if it’s a week or more
Another BS belief: that if you're not taking full weeks off, it doesn’t “count” as real rest. Not true.
That staycation retreat? Just three days. But honestly, it was the most rejuvenating part of my time off. Why? Because it was quiet. Intentional. And designed to help me reset without needing a full calendar purge to make it happen.
👉 Try this instead: Stack a long weekend. Block off a Friday and Monday. Or take a single day midweek to go analog. You don’t need a week if you’re intentional with your energy.
Why This Matters (Especially for Solopreneurs)
Most of us didn’t leave corporate just to recreate the same hustle culture with fewer benefits. But if your business can’t survive unless you disappear for two weeks, you don’t have a vacation problem—you’ve got a systems problem.
Strategic rest is possible right now—even if you’re still building.
This isn’t about working more. It’s about building something sustainable enough that you don’t have to shut the whole system down just to breathe.
Want Support Building a Business That Can Actually Let You Breathe?
That’s literally what Burnout-Proof Business is for.
✔️ Sustainable systems
✔️ Strategic support
✔️ Real community that gets it
You’ll learn how to design your business around your energy—not some hustle-optimized version of “success” that leaves you exhausted and behind.
TL;DR (Because I Know You’re a Busy High Achiever)
✨ Your time off doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s.
✨ Strategic rest is better than no rest.
✨ It’s okay to work a little—if it helps you rest more.
✨ Staycations and long weekends count.
✨ You don’t need to earn your rest—you just need better systems.
Ready to Burnout-Proof Your Time Off?
DM me on Instagram @coachellyn and tell me your version of “vacation.” Let’s normalize rest your way—not the way hustle culture says you’re supposed to.
Ready to make your business work for you instead of the other way around?
Check out my Burnout-Proof Business program, where you'll learn how to design systems that allow you to take strategic time off—without losing momentum.
