Honeymoons, Babymoons and Jobbymoons?

I feel it should be important to point out in this article that this particular advice is targeted at people in the upper-middle, to upper class in society. For the majority of us, when we end up unemployed it isn't because we've reached a new success milestone in our career, its because we've been unexpectedly laid off. And we have to find a new job tomorrow, or we might not be able to feed ourselves for the rest of the week, or cover our rent for the month. The advice of getting away and taking leaser time is great, but its really just a pipe dream for those struggling to get by with minimum, or even better than minimum wage.

The best advice I received from a mentor was to take time off between jobs. A month if you are able. Her reasoning was that if an employer has spent 4-5 months trying to find the right candidate, they can wait another month to have you on board. (Of course, it helps that I am in mid-level management, where qualified candidates are few and far between and the interview process is prolonged). Each time, I've returned from the break with a clear mind, excited to take on new challenges. I traveled, but also spent a good chunk of time enjoying time at home, meeting friends for lunch, etc. I had no checklist of things to do. I just encouraged my new junior staff hire to take two weeks off between jobs and he took me up on it. Hopefully one day he will offer someone else that benefit.

This article showcases the extent to which the concept of 'vacation' has been decimated in the US. Apparently now, the only time you can truly disconnect for any length of time is if you quit your job or if on FMLA. Seriously people, it is ok to take time off while at a job; your job is not making the world go round. Mommy and daddy will still love you.

Nonsense! Another example of a coddled generation!! Good Luck.

Timely article, as I wrap up 2 months of “pretirement” in Europe. While my family snickered “mid life crisis” and my friends rallied (and sometimes quit themselves) to join my temporary ranks of the “funemployed” , I’ve found this type of break essential to create the space to dream up the boldest next move - and have never regretted it. Designer Stefan Sagmeister, whose Happy Show I recently caught in Lisbon, even proposed to lop off 5 years your retirement years and intersperse those years throughout your working career. I agree. Quit. Pause. Reflect. And only then, get back to good work.

After being diagnosed with a tricky brand of breast cancer I was lucky to have an opportunity to be included in a Pembrolimzab Immunology Study. After watching my tumor shrink some just weeks after the first infusion I was given another infusion with radiation.. there is a window of time before I start the dreaded traditional exhaustive weekly chemo.. So I booked a deliciously relaxing trip with my two young sons to the Cayman Islands! Spa treatments and scuba, snorkeling and sunny beaches. A PreChemoVacation! A reboot, recharge and reflection to prepare my mind and body to go into battle..

I just did this--took a week off before starting a new job within the same company. I live in Maine and spent a few days traveling down east and hiked a remote island with a friend; the rest of the week I puttered around the house and saw friends. Best thing I could have done. I let go some of stress and baggage from the old position, and started the new one with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

Sarah, I am sure your article means well, and the idea you are proposing is a good one. However. I cannot get past 'Jobbymoons'. I'm sorry to have to say that it is a ridiculous word, something you might say in a fun word game with your children, but not to grown men and women in the NYTimes. My son and other professional man who are fleet footed workers, movers and shakers, would take one look at that word and move along. I'm not going to read your article. I saw the title and said to myself 'a woman wrote that' and I was not mistaken. Sarah, your idea is valuable. Your marketing approach for readers is kindergarten-like in it's title and I'm embarrassed to read it in the NYTimes. For you. Written with the sincere hope that you will think twice about your titles if you want to be taken seriously, Susan Kaufman Drums PA

It's so funny, because at the end of there work life, most of these people (99.9%) of them will never be remembered or will have accomplished anything meaningful in there lives. Who's going to remember a zombie from a startup toothbrush company?

Does anyone have any advice for taking a medical vacation which really isn't a vacation but necessary? After recovery, I hope to acquire another job.. It seems all about timing. Remember, in the real world, many of us do not have the luxury of taking a vacation before starting another job. This is simply another world that many of us do not inhabit.

Earlier this year I left a job that had made me miserable and depressed, and traveled across Europe, Asia and Africa for a few months. Before I left for the trip I spoke to several career coaches with the goal of having a good idea what my next role would be once I returned, so I could hit the ground running with my search. The good coaches said to wait until I returned to do that work, since I'd likely return from a trip that long as a different person. They were right. I had experiences and met people who changed my view of what was possible in my life and my career.

Right after we got married, my husband and I decided to move from NY (which I called home) to London (which he called home). Hubby was already in between jobs, and when I turned in my resignation, we realized that we might not have such a great opportunity to travel again. We packed up and shipped our stuff, bought an around the world ticket and went west. After few days in the Grand Canyon, a week in Northern California, a month of road trip staying in 15 different places in New Zealand, six weeks in 10 different places in Australia, a weekend in Hong Kong and a week in Bangladesh, we landed in London to start a new life. It was an amazing experience - one I wouldn't mind repeating someday with different grounds to cover...

I always travel when I am in between jobs. I work in Silicon Valley where mergers, acquisitions and layoffs are common. Traveling in between jobs gives you the chance to remove the baggage from the previous job and gives you the chance to have the headspace to think about the next job. Of course, you need $ for this. But if you aren't buying $5 lattes everyday and know how to budget, even something like a layoff can have a silver lining.

I think this is super important -- but my experience is that it's almost always impossible, given the demands of both employers involved. The employer you're leaving wants ample notice of your departure, while the one you're joining doesn't want to wait too long for you to start. In particular if the job involves a move, a jobbymoon is just not going to happen.

When I was at Columbia Journalism, I complained to one of my professors that national papers -- such as the NYT -- often were very inside baseball. Journalists interviewed friends or wealthy people to get their point of view on experiences that no one else in this country had access to or could afford. My complaint was met with silence. It's been 25 years and nothing has changed. I'm really glad for people who can afford to quit their jobs without another one lined up or take extended vacations before moving on to the next phase of their lives. That's nice for them. But just remember: these people are a very small percentage of the population and you might want to be a little more inclusive in your outlook. Because, hey, look where we are now.

Vacation? What's a vacation?

I went on a rollerblading trip just before starting a new job. On the last day of the trip, I had an unfortunate fall in which I managed to fall face-first on pavement. Nothing broken, but I ended up looking like I had lost a few rounds in a fist fight. Imagine my horror on my first day when I had to take my office ID photo. I was stuck with that reminder of my bad fall for the next nine years at the firm. Be careful on any jobbymoon travel!

Taking even a short break between life changes is such a good thing for reset. When I was laid off 4 years ago my son and daughter in law took me to Disneyland for 3 days. It was the perfect break to stop me from rushing my job search and gave me time to make a solid plan. They were preparing for a 4 years overseas transfer to Guam and also needed a break from packing. They are now in the U.S. about to start a domestic assignment and I got to return the favor. I have given them an old pick-up truck and they are making 2 day local trips and preparing for a house search.

I took a break between when my last job ended and my new job started, drove to a big city, ate great food, and came home and relaxed for a few days. I started my new job bright eyed and bushy tailed. Would definitely recommend. Doing that without another job lined up seems insane to me, though.