Vacation Guilt: Learning to Truly Step Away

In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan dive into the all-too-familiar feeling of vacation guilt. That anxious voice that whispers you’re falling behind, even when you’re supposed to be resting.

Tansley opens up with a personal story from her childhood, recalling how she could feel the tension and guilt building at home in the days leading up to family vacations, and how that same mindset can follow us into adulthood. She shares what it’s taken to quiet those feelings and fully unplug, especially during the first couple of days away.

Ryan reflects on his own recharge moments, like returning from a week volunteering as a counselor for his kids’ scout troops. Together, they explore practical ways to reduce the pull back into work:

• Delay sending emails so they don’t re-open your inbox floodgates.
• Set “micro check-in” windows to glance at your inbox without falling down the rabbit hole.
• Empower your team to step in during your absence confidently, both planned and unexpected.

Whether you struggle to silence your work brain or want to help your team unplug without guilt, this episode offers both empathy and actionable tips to make your time away truly restorative.