Our relationship with time off and vacation is…complicated. Some people avoid travel altogether because the logistics feel like more work than it’s worth. Others return home feeling like they need a vacation from their vacation. Add in hustle culture, and we’ve created a world where even “fun” time off can feel stressful or performative.

Here’s the truth: just because time off is enjoyable doesn’t mean it comes naturally. Not all time off is created equal, and our time is precious—so learning the art of rest and travel is an essential life skill.

In this blog, you’ll get a clear framework to help set expectations for different kinds of trips, explore common myths about what rest should look like, and learn how to set yourself up for success the next time you step away from work or routine.

Before we dive in, take a moment to reflect:

• When was a time you took time off and it actually felt worth it?
• What made that trip (or break) feel restorative or rewarding?
• Now think of a time where it didn’t go as planned. What left you feeling disappointed, exhausted, or let down?

These insights will help you apply what you learn here—because expectation-setting isn’t about limiting your experience; it’s about making sure your time off serves you.

The 3 Types of Travel and Core Differences

The inspiration for this blog was born from a recent Spring Break trip to Spain. We built what we thought was a flexible agenda—a mix of adventure and rest. But blame it on the jet lag: we ran off pure adrenaline for the first three days in Barcelona, trying new foods, visiting museums, wandering the city. It was buzzing, and we soaked it all in.

Then we arrived in our second city, Girona—a slower-paced, breathtakingly beautiful town. Our adrenaline crashed. We were zonked. At that point, we debated whether we could rally for another round of exploring in a new city. Eventually, we decided to stay in Girona for the rest of the trip.

That one decision clarified the real difference between traveling and vacationing. The first leg of our trip was classic travel—full, fast, exploratory. The second leg became our vacation—slow mornings, wandering without a plan, fewer obligations. Shifting our expectations mid-trip not only prevented burnout but helped with our post-travel recovery too.

The big takeaway? Different types of time off can absolutely coexist—if you know how to name them and plan around them.

Let’s break them down:

Traveling = Exploration & Experience

What it’s for:

• Learning
• Sightseeing
• Trying new things
• Activities & excursions
• Checking things off your list

What it feels like:

• Stimulating
• Action-packed
• Structured
• Exciting

Examples:

• Cultural city tours
• Multi-stop cruises
• Backpacking
• Theme parks or specific “bucket list” trips

Traveling is memorable and expansive, but it often comes with a cost: overstimulation, less rest, and the need for recovery after you return.

Vacationing = Rest & Reset

What it’s for:

• Relaxation
• Reconnection
• Slowing down
• Unplugging

What it feels like:

• Low-pressure
• Open-ended
• Slow
• “Underwhelming” in the best way

Examples:

• All-inclusive resorts
• Nature retreats
• Staycations
• Spa weekends

Vacationing is about nervous system recovery. It’s where you reset—not perform.

Event Travel = Engaged & Experiential* (More on this later in the blog)

What it’s for:

• Education
• Celebration
• Business & networking
• Focused outcomes

What it feels like:

• Goal-oriented
• Socially full
• Structured
• Often fast-paced

Examples:

• Conferences
• Weddings
• Family reunions or funerals
• Business trips

Event travel may offer connection or growth—but it’s rarely restful. Knowing this going in can help you plan for what you’ll need afterward.

Keep in Mind…

Some trips will include multiple elements—and that’s okay. But if you can name what your trip is primarily for, you’ll be able to set expectations accordingly and support your energy on the front and back end.

Don’t Forget To Pack Your Expectations

Bags? Check.
Tickets? Check.
Passport? Check.
Full tank of gas? Check?

As you run through your travel checklist, don’t forget to pack one of the most important essentials: your expectations.

Setting the wrong intention for a trip can leave you feeling burned out on a vacation that was supposed to be relaxing—or overwhelmed in a destination packed with activities and sights. And because the days leading up to a trip are often a swirl of logistics and last-minute tasks, checking in with your mindset often gets pushed aside.

But here’s the truth: the way you mentally approach your trip can make or break the experience.

Before you go, pause and reflect on a few key questions:

• What am I hoping to get out of this trip?
• What is my energy like right now—mentally, physically, emotionally?
• Are there specific needs I want to address before or during the trip?
• Who’s coming with me—and what might their expectations be?
• What do I need more of: structure or flexibility?

When answering, aim for objective and observational language—think of yourself like a doctor evaluating a patient. Avoid judgment. You’re simply naming what is true.

Once you’ve reflected, take those insights and translate them into specific needs. Try to quantify your baseline and your ideal:

• How much alone time do you need?
• What’s the maximum number of activities per day you can enjoy without burning out?
• What would make the trip feel successful to you?

Packing the right mindset alongside your essentials ensures that you’re not just traveling well—but traveling in a way that supports your whole self.

Event Travel: When Obligations Enter the Mix

Not all travel is about leisure or escape. Sometimes, we travel for work or to show up for people we love—and those trips come with a whole new layer of emotions, agendas, and expectations to manage.

Whether it’s a business conference, a family wedding, or a long-distance funeral, these experiences can require a different kind of preparation—one that focuses less on relaxation and more on emotional regulation and strategic energy management.

Here are a few practical tips for your next obligation-heavy trip:

Work Travel: The Glamour Myth

Work travel sounds glamorous until you’re the one running through an airport trying to make a connection before a client meeting. A delayed flight hits differently when someone’s waiting on the other side.

Plus, being in an unfamiliar environment can quietly chip away at your usual sense of confidence and rhythm. Here’s how to ease the impact:

• Schedule intentional downtime. If possible, communicate your off-hours in advance so others know when you’ll be unavailable.
• Bring personal comforts. Whether it’s your favorite creamer, a familiar snack, a travel-size candle, or a face mask—these small items can create emotional consistency, especially in sterile hotel rooms or long days.
• Create a post-travel decompression routine. Don’t jump right back into your heaviest workload. Consider blocking time to catch up slowly and asking for support if you’ll need help transitioning back.

Relational Travel: When Everyone’s Emotions Are in the Room

Traveling solo or with a partner gives you more control over pace, mood, and decisions. Add a wedding party, extended family, or emotional context (hello, reunions and funerals), and suddenly the trip becomes a social balancing act.

These events matter deeply—but they also ask a lot of us emotionally. Here’s how to preserve both your relationships and your energy:

• Distinguish between “required” and “optional” events. You don’t have to attend every activity to be a good friend or family member. Prioritize presence over performance.
• Name the unspoken dynamics. Acknowledge to yourself if there are existing tensions, triggers, or vulnerabilities. Now is likely not the time to resolve them. Naming them helps you respond instead of react.
• Plan and protect solo time. Even 30 minutes alone in your room or a quiet walk can help reset your nervous system and avoid emotional burnout. And the key: actually take that time.

These shifts are simple in concept but often difficult in practice—especially for people pleasers and over-doers. But they’re also the difference between surviving these trips and feeling like they ran you over.

Preserving your energy isn’t selfish—it’s what makes it possible to show up as your best self, even in the most demanding of environments.

Time Off Starts Here: Using Your Weekends and Down Time Intentionally

Believe it or not, the concepts we apply to travel can (and should) be used to approach our regular off-time, too. While we collectively cross our fingers for the 4-day workweek to become the norm, the most powerful thing we can do now is bring more intention to the time that is already ours.

Because time off isn’t about what you do—it’s about how it makes you feel.

You might enjoy structure or spontaneity, solitude or social time—but regardless of your style, it’s how you approach off-time that determines whether it supports you or drains you.

Expectation Management for Weekends, Personal Days & Staycations

1. Off means off.
Set real boundaries with work communication. That means turning off notifications, logging out of apps, or silencing your work phone. Know what truly counts as an urgent reason to check in—and let the rest wait.

2. Be mindful of using weekends to “catch up.”
If your off-days are filled with chores, errands, or unpaid labor, they aren’t truly restorative. Look for tasks you can either integrate into your weekdays, outsource, or let go of altogether.

3. Don’t become your own energy vampire.
Doomscrolling feels low-effort, but it’s a high-intensity drain. Set simple guardrails to keep your energy from getting hijacked (limit apps, change screen settings, or leave your phone in another room).

4. Blend functional with fun.
Errands don’t have to be isolating. Ask a friend to tag along, or plan a treat afterward. Even small social interactions or sensory comforts (music, a good coffee) can elevate mundane moments.

5. Set a mindset, not just a schedule.
Just like with a trip, having an intention going into your weekend or off-day gives you something to center around. Are you hoping to rest? To play? To reset? To feel like yourself again? Get clear before the time begins.

Learning how to honor and manage our downtime now not only helps prevent burnout—it also prepares you for longer periods of time off, like vacations, sabbaticals, or future travel.

The goal isn’t to fill every minute. The goal is to leave space for yourself.

Give Yourself Permission to Practice Rest

Who knew downtime could be so layered? The reality is, our culture—especially in the U.S.—has been built around productivity, not leisure. So if intentional rest doesn’t come naturally to you, you’re not broken. You’re learning a skill that wasn’t modeled for most of us.

Engaging in downtime with intention takes practice. That means some trial and error, some missteps, and a whole lot of experimentation. Just because one strategy didn’t work doesn’t mean you failed—it means you’re learning.

The key is to stay curious and compassionate. When you bring that mindset into your planning and reflection, you’re far more likely to create rhythms that actually support you. Intentional leisure isn’t indulgent—it’s restorative, strategic, and deeply deserved.

Want help designing your time off in a way that truly supports you? The Nine to Kind Possibility Planner helps you track your energy, set intentions, and plan with purpose—so your downtime actually fills you back up. Take a look in the shop!