Particularly if you live in the Washington DC area, you’ve probably heard the phrase
“unscheduled leave.”
Big in government “speak,” “unscheduled leave” refers, most often, to those icy days when Federal workers are allowed to stay home without making a prior request and/or securing advance permission. “Unscheduled leave” acknowledges that climate conditions have changed, likely suddenly, and, as a result, limited opportunities existed for making alternative arrangements. The “worker” without backlash can “stay home from work today.”
Metaphorically, I am just returning from some time “away from work.” I took unscheduled leave myself. Perhaps you noticed, maybe not (see bullet on “noticing” below). About a month ago, I realized that I needed to take a break from my “Wednesday Words.” I didn’t plan for it, send out a public announcement, pave my way with pleads or permission slips. I just decided – somewhat suddenly, unexpectedly — that conditions had changed. My ideas had stagnated and the increasing pressure to write had replaced the pleasure.
At first, it is very hard to make or take such a break.
- Routine is paradoxically comfortable – it’s known.
- When we get off any “treadmill,” questions loom. What if I lose my edge? What if I enjoy my time off too much? What if I never want to get back on?”
- We fear that people will notice our absence, wonder about it, and assume the “worst” — a decline in our of dedication, interest, capacity, skill.
- By definition, “unscheduled leave” is self-determined. We alone stand by its legitimacy. We alone grant “permission.” We alone have to manage any consequences, the backlash.
Yet, despite these risks, I took unscheduled leave AGAIN — two weeks later — from the gym. My muscles were screaming “REST!” Usually, it takes me a long time to yield to such screams. I “listened,” realizing:
- Breaks from churning in the same direction are critical.
- The space that “leave” creates makes room for other options.
- Setting new limits is an important and ageless developmental skill. Those who are practiced at saying “no” or, better yet, “not for right now” also find it easier to master alternative forms of “yes.”
Case in point, I’m still working out but with a little more “yes” for stretching instead of just elliptical-ing. I’ve obviously returned to writing but am trading in an unsustainable bi-weekly Wednesday promise because I want to be able to keep other promises, other professional “yes’.” (e.g. blogging, reading)
My “official” spring break is on the horizon. We’re Florida-bound. This “break” has been scheduled for weeks, driven permissively by school calendars and annual vacation. It’s time off before and after the planned breaks that requires more attention, is equally important, and harder to make happen.
So…when you are ready for a short-term moratorium on some relentless activity (or even a relentless thought or emotion), consider these questions and see what happens.
- From what would you like to take “unscheduled leave.” (Consider specific activities or components to your routine but perhaps also ideas or emotions that drive your regular behavior.)
- What opportunities does unscheduled leave create?
- What’s the impact?
- When “leave” is over, how might things change for you in a more long-term way?
