Working in technology, and particularly in development, makes disconnecting one of the hardest things to achieve. Sometimes I think that a problem-solving brain is like a huge boulder rolling down a hill. At first, it requires a lot of effort to overcome the slope and reach the top, but once there, a final small push is enough for the boulder to rush downhill, accelerating out of control. Similarly, we spend our mornings struggling to bring our minds to the peak of our work problems, only to later (as countless memes on the internet confirm) go to bed unable to stop the momentum of our thoughts.
Another dimension of the problem, beyond the daily disconnection, is that of vacation rest. Here, we face insecurity, and the fear of falling behind in a world that seems to move faster than we can keep up with strikes us. Imagine disconnecting from it for one or two weeks! And it’s not just the fear of becoming obsolete, losing the skills we’ve acquired, or not being up to the task when we return. What will happen in our absence? Will they discover that we’re not needed? Perhaps, the opposite: the worst fear—finding absolute chaos and a backlog several times larger than the one we left behind.
Thus, facing vacations becomes stressful. But there’s another twist: what happens when your leisure time revolves around technology? When all your pending readings are about software development, or when your hobbies consist of small robotics projects, video games, or that side hustle in programming that will surely one day become the next Google. In these cases, it’s nearly impossible to disconnect. It’s not necessarily bad if you enjoy it, but forcing yourself to spend time in a way that social conventions dictate can also be a source of frustration. There’s nothing wrong with spending time doing what you’re passionate about.
However, taking care of our health and our social relationships is important. We must know how to listen to our bodies and understand when they need a break: spending hours with a blank mind, relaxing our eyes by gazing at the horizon, lying down and moving freely to release muscle tension. Listening to our families and giving them our full attention without having a computing problem ruminating in our neurons. Doing nothing for days without the world stopping turning.
It’s as difficult as it is necessary. Why is it necessary? Three ideas come to mind:
We need to rest to be more productive
The brain needs time to rest and process acquired information. Far from making us lose skills, rest gives our neurons the opportunity to reorganize, consolidate learning, and prepare for new ideas and approaches when we return to the routine.
Disconnection has psychological benefits
Mentally intense activities lead to the accumulation of stress, which can negatively affect our emotional well-being and our ability to make decisions. When we feel the effects of burnout, vacations can improve our mood and overall health.
Falling behind is a myth; the opposite actually happens
While it’s true that technology advances rapidly, it’s not necessary to always stay up to date (let’s be honest, we rarely are). It’s more important to have a solid foundation and the ability to learn and adapt when needed. Rest not only doesn’t set us back; it prepares us better to face challenges with a clear mind.
So, how can we make it easier?
The most important thing is to establish clear boundaries to have a vacation truly away from our work. In the work environment, leave everything either closed or postponed, explain to your colleagues what they need to know, and inform them that you’ll be unavailable. Be strict with yourself and resist the temptation to check emails or messages related to work.
As for what to do, you also need to resist the urge to study or do something related to technology. Surely there are books, movies, video games, sports to practice, or places to visit. Take the opportunity to revisit old hobbies or pick up new ones. Cultivate creativity in other areas, like drawing or model building. Engage in social activities like role-playing or board games, immerse yourself in interesting conversations, or do the exact opposite and simply be with yourself. Overcoming the fear of being alone with our thoughts is important; vacations are a great opportunity to meditate and get to know yourself better.
Planning your return gradually, without jumping straight into complex tasks or long workdays, also helps reduce the stress of having been away from work for an extended period. Being honest with those around you when you return is crucial; most likely, everyone will be willing to give you space to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Return with renewed energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. Don’t hesitate—everyone will appreciate that you take those vacations.
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