Have you ever found yourself staring at your computer screen, unable to gather the energy to even begin your work?

We’ve probably all felt that way at least once.
But it’s not just a feeling of being burnt out and demotivation.

Its more than that!

Imagine a person who used to be a go-getter, bouncing out of bed every morning with a fresh idea or project to tackle.
Full of energy and positive vibes, ready to take on the world.

And now it’s like they’re living in a never-ending zombie apocalypse routine

The spark that once fueled their productivity has fizzled out.
Even worse, they’re starting to wonder if they’re the only one feeling this way.

Well, you’re not alone. In fact, there’s a name for it: “burnout”.

It’s like a never-ending cycle of feeling crappy, which can lead to more stress and more burnout.

Ask yourself, were you like this before?

If the answer is no, then now you know why it is the right time to apply for those leaves.

Consider traveling for instance. Travel helps me refocus. Specially if you are traveling solo.

Exposure to new experiences can help you grow professionally and personally.
And of coarse it recharges your battery

We’ll talk on how new experiences can actually make you a better professional below

Okay that’s just your part of the story.

But just because you need to travel and recharge, why would the company let you take leaves?
Why should it matter to them?

I understand it is a tough work to ask for the annual leaves from your employer.

How do I know this?
Because I know the look on their faces when you ask for your annual leaves. I have seen it many times.

It’s no secret that mentally healthy employees are more productive.

Of many studies, here is a quote from Harvard business review:
“People who took more than 10 of their vacation days had a 65.4% chance of receiving a raise or bonus”

I bet you never thought vacations would increase your promotion chances 

I always returned to the corporate world fully energized after taking a break from my job.
Solving tech or office issues felt no challenge to me because I had been solving issues for my survival

When I used to sit down to come up with solutions for running a new service or infrastructure deployment.
I felt bombardment of ideas coming to my mind on how to tackle the issue quickly.

But I wondered how was I able to do this.

I thought may be when I’m on a trek or climbing, I have to make a lot of decisions quickly and stay focused on the route.
It’s like training my brain to be out of my comfort zone all the time.

Because Reinhold Messner says adventure is not sport & nature can be dangerous.

And I love adventures!

Solving the office problems seemed very basic to me.

Your leaves are not only beneficial for your mental and physical health, but also for  your companies’ productivity and profitability.

Now I guess you might be thinking how to approach your line manager/HR for this crazy idea of yours.

Although I never had to struggle much with taking leaves. But I have heard a lot of people face this issue.

So, I have written some email samples for you.

Idea one: The normal route

Subject: Request for Personal Time Off to Travel
Dear [HR Manager’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I’m writing to share my sincere desire to take some time off work for travel. While I do love the challenges my job brings but lately, I’ve been feeling burnt out.

I’m confident that this break would help me return to work with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

I understand taking time off from work can be disruptive, but I am committed to working with you to create a plan that minimizes the impact on the team. I would be happy to discuss this further with you and come up with a schedule that works for everyone.
Thank you for considering my request. I truly believe that taking some time off to travel would be a valuable investment in my well-being, and in turn, my ability to contribute positively to the company.
Best regards, [Your Name]

Idea two: The urgent route

Subject: Request for Time Off to Recharge
Dear [HR Manager’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request some time off from work. I have been feeling burnt out thus unable to focus on work, and I believe that a brief vacation will help me return to work with renewed energy.
I understand that my request is on short notice, and I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I am willing to work with you to ensure that my work responsibilities are covered during my absence. I have already spoken with [colleague’s name] about covering my work while I am away.
[Company’s name] has always been supportive and positive towards its employees, I hope you would understand my need to take a break from work.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your response.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards, [Your Name]

Idea three: The remote work route

Subject: Request for Remote Work
Dear [Manager/HR],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my request to work remotely for the next 2-3 weeks. The reason for this request is that I am feeling a bit burnt out and believe that a change of pace and scenery would help me refocus.
I assure you that I will be available and dedicated to completing my responsibilities during this time. My priority is to ensure that there is no impact on the team’s workflow.
I am more than happy to discuss this request with you further and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards, [Your name]

Taking time off to rest and recharge, practicing self-care, and setting healthy boundaries at work can all help.
Don’t let burnout be the annoying relative who takes over your life. Kick it to the curb and take control of your well-being.

Being in new surroundings and experiencing different cultures is like a breath of fresh air for me.
It’s like hitting the reset button and coming back home with a renewed sense of energy and focus.

Remember to prioritize your personal time off and don’t hesitate to ask for it when needed.
Because Growing personally and professional every day is essential to move towards your goals.

Btw if you are someone new to traveling you can get some insights from my first solo trip post here.