I could really use a vacation. I needed one before the isolation, but didn’t even plan one because I thought my team needed me and that taking a vacation with all the work on my plate would be irresponsible. Almost a year with a full-time job and I still don’t get it. I’m still struggling to realize that the expectations are not the same as if I were still a freelancer with client work. The problem now is that I can’t take a vacation. I can certainly take time off, but I’d still be isolated at home.

When Jen and I were both freelancers, it took us almost 10 years before we took a real vacation. Ever since then, in an attempt to make a dent in how much we work, we’ve made sure to take every opportunity to travel—sometimes escaping to visit our friends in the desert as many as three times a year. While the current situation still feels surreal, and we’re definitely on the more fortunate end of it, it consistently adds new items to my list of “things to not take for granted”. I don’t think we’ll be back to normal anytime soon, but when we are able to travel again, I’m going to be that person who books vacations months in advance and plans my entire year around vacations, like a true full-timer. Until then, the best I can do is update my Zoom background.