Do you feel guilty when you go on vacation?

In today's fast-paced work culture, the concept of truly disconnecting from work while on vacation seems increasingly elusive. With smartphones and constant connectivity, many individuals find it challenging to fully unplug and enjoy their time off.

To explore this phenomenon of "vacation guilt", we reached out to the Her World team and our readers. Do they experience it? Can they set aside work responsibilities to recharge, or does the specter of unfinished tasks and emails always loom large, even in paradise?

YES

“There’s this underlying fear of being perceived as lazy or lacking dedication to my career if I completely disconnect from work during vacation. So, I often find myself checking in on work- related matters, even when I should be unwinding, just to avoid any negative perceptions.” – Samantha Chua, marketing manager at an e-commerce start-up

“I often feel like I’m letting my team or co-workers down if I’m not available to assist them, even during my time off. This could be due to the nature of my job in the events industry, but there’s this sense of responsibility to always be there for my colleagues. Taking time off feels like I’m abandoning them, and that thought weighs heavily on my conscience.” – Lyla Tan, events coordinator

NO

“No, I don’t have vacation guilt. When I was still in my 20s, I went on a family holiday with my parents, and was often on my phone or computer, citing urgent e-mails and meetings. My dad, who’s a doctor, asked me one day: ‘You’re not saving lives, what could be so urgent?’ That was the perspective I needed – it reminded me that life is not work. I am lucky enough to love what I do, but I also love the joy of exploring a new culture, of swimming in the middle of the sea – these experiences make life more rich and multi-faceted, and in turn, make us more interesting and interested human beings.” – Karishma Tulsidas, contributing features editor at Her World

“For me, going on vacation is a sacred time to unwind and recharge, and I’m determined to make the most of it. I actively set boundaries to prevent work from encroaching on my personal time, whether that means turning off e-mail notifications, or simply refusing to check in on work-related matters.” – Hannah Ng, business analyst

“I might feel a little guilty while I’m away, but it’s also important to prioritise my mental health. Besides, I’ll only be away for those few days. I’ll be around for the rest of the year, and I’ll be contactable then.” – Shazrina Shamsudin, senior digital writer at Her World