How to Quiet Vacation

First of all, how realistic is it to have a quiet vacation, anyway? Is Quiet Vacationing even ethical? Furthermore, can one embark on a trip anywhere in a discreet manner in today’s world, when absolutely nothing is private?

If you’re one of the rare persons who hasn’t yet heard of Quiet Vacationing it’s all about remote workers going on holiday in secret — and comme c’est choquant! there are so many factors to consider. So, let’s take a look at whether or not this whole Quiet Vacationing business is worth the hype.

Here are some things you should take into consideration if you’re thinking about lounging on a beach chair and sipping on your ice-cold pina colada while instantaneously responding to Slack pings.

This list will help you decide whether or not Quiet Vacationing is right for you:

Consider your productivity levels while in travel mode

@saraisthreads Its called self care, ok? #fyp #work #working #corporate #corporatelife #corporatetiktok #corporateamerica #corporatehumor #manager #managersbelike #career #quietquit #actyourwage #skit #funny #sketch #quietquitting #veronica #morale #companymorale #company #companies #employee #customer #customerservice #office #officelife #officehumor #officeoutfit #job #jobs #career #careeradvice #careertok #mentalhealth #burnout #profession #mentalhealthmatters #wellbeing #pto #quietvacation #vacation #wfh #workfromhome #timeoff ♬ original sound – Sarai Marie

One thing to take into consideration if you’re thinking about Quiet Vacationing is how productive you’ll be while in an exotic setting. Be sure to truly ask yourself if you can successfully thrive in work mode while simultaneously enjoying your trip.

If you’re a terrific multi-tasker, this should be no problem. But if you find yourself easily distracted by fellow vacationers, delightful activities, delish food, and new surroundings, Quiet Vacationing just may not cut it.

Take me for instance, I’m someone who needs to work in the exact same setting, with the perfect room temperature, and very limited noise. Because I like consistency when it comes to my work schedule and surroundings, I’m quite sure that Quiet Vacationing is a no-go for me.

And if you pride yourself on getting things done no matter where you are in the world, why not give it a shot?

Would you get in trouble with your boss if you got caught?

@sidneymorss when your boss is super chill… ♬ original sound – Sidney

Another critical point is whether or not your boss would ding you for vacationing without their knowledge or permission. The thing is, each work environment has completely different values, goals, and rules.

While some companies are extremely strict about ensuring that you stay in one place for tax purposes, others can be way more lenient and loosey-goosey about this sort of thing. So, if you get the vibe from your workplace that you must be precisely where you say you are, I’d say that it may not be worth it to travel in secret.

Plus, the guilt of vacationing clandestinely can sour the entire experience. Since the main intention of going on holiday is to have fun and relax, Quiet Vacationing can end up causing stress and anxiety instead — which is the exact opposite of what you’re going for!

So, if your boss is kicked back and your workplace has a laissez-faire attitude, you might not feel any guilt at all! In fact, you just may be encouraged.

Ask yourself if you can truly keep your vacation “quiet”

@corporate.sween Vacation ruined #corporatehumor #workhumor #workfromhome #wfh #coworkers #travel #vacation #nyc #newyork ♬ original sound – corporate sween

Now, be honest with this one. Can anyone go on vacation discreetly in 2024? We live in an age where we no longer travel without documenting the whole experience on social media, be it through our Instagram posts, stories, TikTok, or Facebook.

Even if you’re careful about keeping your accounts private, word gets around.

So if you’re someone who loves to document your experiences and plaster them all over social media, you may want to pass on this trend — and sacrifice your precious PTO instead. Sorry, pal. 😿

On the other hand, if you’re not a social media addict — first of all, wow. I’m humbled. Can you teach me your ways? — and don’t feel the urge to constantly post your whereabouts for all to see, I’d say, have at it. You’ll Quiet-Vacation like a ninja pro.

But if you’re more of a risk-taker, you can always post on your “close friends” story! (That’s what it’s for, am I right?)

Think about Logistics while working on vacation

@elite.recruiter Is quiet vacationing the new trend? A CEO’s nightmare? #greenscreen #vacation #work #remotework #job #cateer #corporate #ceo #quietvacationing ♬ original sound – Elite Recruiter

Does the notion of getting your coin while lounging under a palm tree sound too good to be true? Well, in most cases, it is. Many employees get carried away by the fantasy of Quiet Vacationing and overlook the logistical aspects of the trend.

If you want to be successful at this, you must consider critical aspects like: WiFi, connection, time zone differences, and your environmental surroundings. If you feel like you can get all that in check, you’re good to go. Just be sure to plan it out ahead of time and gather all the logistics before taking the leap and buying that plane ticket to a magical world where life is a beach.

Can you be mentally focused enough to work?

It can be quite challenging to be in work mode while you’re surrounded by gorgeous tropical backdrops or bustling cities packed with action. And if you’re too overstimulated by how fresh and thrilling your vacation destination is, there’s a chance you won’t be capable of delivering your best game.

Good news, there are ways around this. Rather than literally working from the beach or in a cozy Parisian cafe, work from your hotel room, and once you’re off the clock immerse yourself in your surroundings. This way you’ll effectively limit your distractions.

Cut yourself some slack

@loewhaley What are your thoughts on this? #remotework #travel #wfh #corporate #toodaloo #relatable ♬ original sound – Laura

And finally, if you want to enjoy an exotic location while completing all your work exceptionally, cut yourself some slack. TBH, most companies have very limited paid time off. It only makes sense that Gen Z and Millennial remote workers want to switch things up and revel in life while we’re young.

We only have so much time on this beautiful planet, so why not explore it?

So, if you’re going to commit to a Quiet Vacation, let go of the guilt and relish your trip. If you’re able to get things done as successfully as you would in the office or while at home, there’s nothing to feel guilty about.

With all your hard work, you deserve a lovely holiday away!