The Importance of Free Time

America values hard work. Indeed, we are a nation built on the back of toilers. But, how much is too much?

The average number of vacation days per American is 13 days. Some take more, some take less, some roll time over, some cannot. The average number of vacation days per Italian is 42 days. French? 37 days. Germans? 35 days. Even the hardy Brits take 28 days. What's the problem here? Do we really love working 248 days a year? No. We don't. Admit it.

To be fair--let's look at what we all do at work. Be honest now. How much of your day are you watching YouTube? Looking at the news? Facebooking and Myspacing? We are a nation of procrastinators and time-wasters too. But, we are all at work when we waste this time. And, being at work implies that the majority of the time, you will be doing something associated with work--emailing, conversing, or meeting with colleagues. While we may cut corners and slack here and there, we are freaking workaholics.

My father is self-employed. He makes his schedule every Summer. Every year since I can remember, my Father takes at least three and a half months off. Generally it is in the Summer months--especially when my siblings and I were young. He did this not only to spend time with the family, but also because he understood that it is important to pursue personal endeavors. He knew that his garden wouldn't grow on its own, and the house wouldn't add an addition to itself, and he wouldn't learn new instruments by not playing them; he managed free time into his schedule because it's good for his happiness.

How often have you heard, "I guess I'll do it when I retire." Or, even worse, "I love working--I never take days off." These statements--especially the latter--are the result of corporate indoctrination. We have been forced to believe that over-working is honorable.

Free time is not just time away from work. Sure, it's a blessing to get away from the office, the faxes, the calls, the incessant emails. But It is also a time to reflect and think about your life. It gives you the opportunity to review personal goals and create new ones. Free time is important to sustaining families, friendships, etc. Free time really does heal.

I understand that people have careers. There are many dedicated people out there who are passionate about their work, and truly enjoy spending most of their waking hours working toward professional goals. But, I also know (I have witnessed...) there are more Americans out there who are just dissatisfied, frustrated, and defeated. It's time to take some serious time off--quit your job, take a leave of absence: you'll thank me. Consider my recent history:

My last vacation was a thru-hike (end to end) of the John Muir Trail in northern California. The trail traverses the Sierra Nevada Range and passes through 3 National Parks--Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia. I spent over 3 weeks crossing glacier-encrusted mountain passes, drinking from aqua-marine lakes, and kicking around at about 10,000 feet. My vacation before that was a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. That hike took 6 1/2 months. Before that, I worked 70 hour weeks for nearly three years. I was just making up for lost time.

And now? Writing freelance and spending time doing what I love.