Short vacations made her feel worse; monthlong working holidays helped

May 6, 2026 - 01:10

Maria Laposata learned the hard way that a standard two-week vacation did not work for her. Instead of returning refreshed, she found herself dreading the moment she would have to open her work laptop again-often before her flight even landed. The anxiety would set in midway through the trip, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a relaxing break.

After years of this cycle, Laposata decided to try something different. She swapped short getaways for monthlong working holidays. The idea was simple: blend remote work with extended travel, allowing her to stay connected enough to avoid the post-vacation shock while still experiencing a new environment. The result, she says, was a complete shift in her mental state.

During a longer stay, the pressure to cram all enjoyment into a tight window disappeared. She could work during the day and explore in the evenings or on weekends without the frantic rush. The slow pace let her actually settle into a place rather than just pass through it. By the time she returned home, the transition felt natural. There was no pile of urgent emails waiting to ruin her mood, and no dread of the Monday morning grind.

Laposata's experience highlights a growing trend among professionals who find that traditional vacation models often fail to deliver real rest. For her, the solution was not less work, but a different rhythm that allowed her to have both productivity and genuine downtime.