Hit 500 hours of PTO saved up and realized I'm scared to use any of it

Been at my accounting firm for 6 years now. Always said I'd save up time for something big, a trip or just a break. Checked my balance yesterday and saw 512 hours. That's like 13 weeks. And I just... can't figure out what to do with it. Every time I think about taking a week off, I get this weird guilt like the work will pile up and I'll be worse off when I get back. Or like they'll realize they don't need me. Anyone else get stuck in this cycle where the thing you earned to enjoy life just feels like a trap?

2 comments

2 Comments

emma_flores1d ago

Changed my mind reading this. Taking that random Friday this week.

knight.dylan1d ago

Man that "they'll realize they don't need me" part hit too close to home... I had like 400 hours saved up at my old job and felt the exact same way. What finally got me to take time off was starting small - just a long weekend, then a three day week. You see pretty quick that the work is still there when you get back but the world doesn't end. Your coworkers probably handle stuff just fine while you're out, and the company doesn't fall apart. The guilt never fully goes away but you gotta remember that time off is part of your pay, same as your salary. Maybe just pick one random Friday and take it off with zero plans, see how it feels to have a three day weekend for no reason.