When you go on vacation, does it make you wish you didn't have to work for a living or does it make you ready and eager to return to work?

Sure wish I could do what I choose to 100% of the time, but wasn’t born with a silver spoon so off to work I go.
To answer your question more clearly, sure I like my job, but wish for a life of adventure,and luxury so no most times I’m not super eager to get back it.

I have mixed feelings about vacations. On one hand, they feel all too contrived for my taste, and I have a tendency to slip into a low-level darkness. But on the other hand, I wonder why I can’t just enjoy the time that I do have for this official Vacation®. My mind will generally do its best to get in my way.

The past few years have been slightly better for me, however. And I have had week-long vacations where I am able to drop the cynical dialog that has kept me from enjoying my time on Vacation®. But return to “normal” life has not been a problem. It’s not that I particularly enjoy the chaos of a full-time job and the challenges that come along with raising kids, etc. Rather, I think this is mitigated by a mild sense of relief that comes with returning to a life that seems to be less burdened by expectations and obligations.

I know this sounds crazy, and I hope that some day I will be able to fully enjoy a vacation without feeling that is something to be accomplished or is to be experienced to some high standard of “vacation-ness”.

Of course! I was semi retired from age 45 to 53 and only had to work part time, until this economy wiped me out. I wish everyone could afford to freaking retire by age 50 and just enjoy their lives before they fall in the grave. haha
Nothing wrong with wanting some serious leisure time, our societies work ethic is insane, now people are expected, and many have to, keep working until they are one step away from death.

It sucks!

@Coloma Think maybe the ultra wealthy want it that way?

Unless I was the vegetarian food taster for Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or Vegetarian Times magazine, I can’t imagine longing to return to work after a wonderful vacation.

However, there are lots of things that I would be thrilled to do for free, as a volunteer.

When I was working full time I never much liked taking vacations. It wasn’t that I was a workaholic or that I felt guilty about being away, but rather that re-entry into corporate life after a week or two was usually difficult because of the inevitable changes that occurred while I was gone. Whatever R&R I’d gotten was usually negated. For that reason I tended to take a lot of three and four-day weekends rather than long vacations.

Yes – I feel like that every day. The funny thing is, I truly love what I do, and I love the patients and they appreciate what I do. I just wish I could do it for the love of it and didn’t have to do it to earn money for someone else who then throws me some scraps from their feast (in incrementally decreasing amounts, which they hope I won’t notice). I’m tired of the rat race.

@hominid – I’m sorry you feel that way. I learned pretty early on that vacations, like life, are what you make it. I do not like to have overly structured and scheduled plans, but I do plan ahead for what places I’d like to see and experience, but then we figure it out as we go, depending on how we feel and what the weather is on any given day. It’s a little tougher when the kids are younger, since you have to accommodate them. Before you know it, you’ll be able to do your own thing at your own pace – for now just try to focus on making them about quality family time. On the other hand, my best vacation ever was when my son was 7, shortly after his father died. He and I went to Disney when all the other kids were in school, so it wasn’t crowded; and we just took it easy and did what we wanted to do. Some days, that was just chillin’ at the pool and chasing lizards, and not even going to the parks. Sixteen years ago (sigh).

Right now I’m longing for a camping trip. I need some forest time.

@hearkat: I used to volunteer for a local Archive and I used to think that the ultimate would be being able to volunteer part time. You choose who you work for, you work the hours you like and you typically get praised for your efforts.

@SQUEEKY2 I think everyone would want it that way if it was realistic.
I am in the Buddhist camp of 6 hours of work a day is all one should do in order to lead a balanced life. I hate the word “lazy”, there is nothing lazy about wanting to stop and smell the roses before they are tossed on your casket. Dead men can’t smell, what a waste of roses. lol

I always wish I didn’t have to work for a living. I love what I do and I would still do it a few days a week just to do it, but I would love to not have to do it. If our family could survive without the income, I’d cut down in a heartbeat!

Yes, when I am on vacation, I have a hard time returning to the routine.

I usually take a couple days off after I get home to re-compress. Going right back to work ruins the benefit of getting away, the relaxation disappears.

That’s great, @jca, but like most people, I need the income. If I won the UltraMegeSuperDuperLotto jackpot, I’d probably volunteer or work for a slight per diem pay rate. For the amount of time and quality of work that I invest, I don’t feel that I’m being compensated fairly. If I felt that my salary and benefit were truly commensurate to the work I do, I’d love my job.

As it is, we can’t really afford to take real vacations, so when we do take time off, we’re mostly doing ‘staycations’ or long weekends. If I travel anywhere, it’s for a convention so the flight and hotel will be covered at least partially by the job, then I add a day or two before or after to see the city I’m staying in.

It’s because of our jobs that we can afford vacations, so I look at it in that light. Although, every time we go some place semi-exotic place (compared to Kansas) like Florida or Seattle, Rick starts agitating to move there for the next couple of weeks!

@hearkat: Yes, I need the income, too. That’s the depressing part (LOL).

@Kardamom Do not say forest time. I’m so homesick for the Adirondacks.

After I return from a vacation, I dread the first day back to work. However, the bills need to be paid so off to work I go.

I actually looked forward to getting back to work. Of course, my vacations consisted of my staying home and working on the house, painting and stuff.