From Scattered Breaks to Norwegian Summer Bliss: A Personal Shift in Vacation Strategy

During my 20s, while engrossed in the vibrant London media industry, I meticulously structured my vacation days for maximum travel efficiency. I would strategically extend weekends by catching flights on Thursday evenings and coming back on Sunday afternoons, ensuring minimal impact on my paid time off (PTO).

This meticulous planning enabled me to embark on thrilling, albeit whirlwind, trips to places like Cinque Terre, Dubrovnik, and Athens, directly returning to work without a moment's rest post-adventure.

After about 15 years in continuous employment, a realization dawned on me—I had never taken more than five consecutive workdays off. Those European getaways, although exhilarating, left me drained. During a visit home to Norway, I mentioned my fatigue to my mother, and I remember her surprised expression when she suggested that I should be taking at least a two-week vacation each year. "That's the absolute minimum needed to properly unwind," she insisted.

Understanding ‘Fellesferien’—The Community Vacation Period

Her words stirred a distant recollection of ‘Fellesferien’—a period in Norway where entire communities take time off work, particularly during late July. Originally gaining popularity in the early 20th century, this concept involved a collective business shutdown for weeks, allowing a communal summer pause. Although now mainly adopted by few sectors, its modern successor, 'Sommertid,' takes place from late June to mid-August, where Norwegians exercise their right to a three-week vacation. The law stipulates this must occur between June and September.

This synchronized vacation creates a significant national slowdown, with expectations for reduced business hours and generally more relaxed operations. It’s summer after all, a time to soak up the sun and enjoy the outdoors.

In Norway, taking a proper summer vacation is almost a cultural imperative—work is secondary to savoring every moment of sunshine, especially considering the long, dark winters. It’s a time vital for rejuvenation.

A National Commitment to Rest and Rejuvenation

In Norway, this cultural mindset is universally impactful. What's notable is how the Norwegian government enforces this through directives stating an 'Obligation to Take Vacation.' Employers must ensure that staff utilize all their vacation days and cannot opt for monetary compensation instead. Legally, employees can demand at least three consecutive weeks off.

The terms 'Obligation' and 'Demand' emphasize the importance of vacations as a standard life necessity in Norway—it’s non-negotiable. Norwegians perceive forgoing this right as unusual because who truly gains from such sacrifice? Certainly not the employee.

Embracing this philosophy, I decided to realign with my Norwegian heritage and adopt 'Sommertid.' After all, can the entire country be mistaken about the benefits of a proper break?

Cultivating the Vacation State of Mind

By now, I had shifted into freelance journalism, which, ironically, complicated taking vacations, burdened by a constant work-first mentality. Nevertheless, I audaciously took a four-week vacation in the summer of 2021, a decision bold enough that it felt too extravagant to put in my automatic email responder.

Initially, I ventured to Berlin, still stressed but beginning to relax. Returning to London, I avoided planning and let each day unfold by asking myself, 'What do I want to do?' I visited museums, swam, or simply sat enjoying the tranquillity of having no set agenda.

Subsequently, I've maintained the practice of taking extended breaks—often two weeks each August, alongside additional weeks at Christmas and in spring, totaling five weeks annually. This might seem excessive, yet it aligns with European norms. In the UK, employees are entitled to 28 days (5.6 weeks), and in Norway, five weeks plus numerous public holidays are standard.

Although it's tempting to make exceptions when work ‘emergencies’ arise, I strive to preserve these vacation periods firmly, recognizing the enhanced productivity and creativity that follow truly restful breaks.

It has taken time to demolish the ingrained urgency of constantly optimizing my schedule. However, I remind myself of the universal right to rest and leisure—a little Norwegian vacation ethos is something I wholeheartedly suggest to everyone.