I recently had the opportunity to take a real vacation. And when I say a real vacation, I mean two full weeks away with no real plans other than visiting a place I have always wanted to see! Now, I went on this vacation with my spouse, parents and sister, so there was still some work to ensure everyone’s needs were met and the trip was enjoyable for all, but really, it was a true vacation. I know that this is unbelievable, but we often get carried away in our work and commitments and feel like we can’t take time away. Or we feel guilty for leaving, wanting to be superheroes for our jobs, clients and colleagues. This real vacation was an incredible reminder that taking time off, stepping away and taking a breath is essential. And the exciting revelation for me was that you don’t have to quit your job or take a sabbatical to have this moment. You need to plan to go on a vacation — ideally a two-week-long vacation so you can have time to decompress from your responsibilities, be present and give yourself time to get ready to return to your responsibilities. Now, to the most important takeaway from this vacation ... Drum roll ... I had time and space to remember why what we do as architects is vital. Spending time in a new place is an incredible reminder of how much our communities, neighborhoods, streets and buildings shape us and our daily experiences. I often find myself cruising through my daily experiences, known places and regular commutes, and I forget to consider how the places I am experiencing impact me. Enter: Stockholm, Sweden, Midsommer (summer solstice), 2025. Now I know you are thinking, ‘Wow, you went all the way to Scandinavia and spent your entire two weeks in Stockholm?’ I know, I thought it was wild too. I have not had such a leisurely vacation in my life! We ended up spending our time in Stockholm and really getting to know the city, seeing the sights leisurely, and spending time just being. It helped that I was traveling with my parents, as it was a bit more challenging to travel outside of the city with folks who require time to get up and moving, do not move quickly and have about five hours of sightseeing and engagement energy per day. Re-Engaging With the World BY WHITNEY WARD, AIA, LEED BD+C, PRESIDENT, AIA UTAH 4 REFLEXION
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