PTO Guilt

Veit Springs Trail, Coconino National Forest

I have this weird ethic that I feel guilty about taking time off work, even if it is PTO (Planned Time Off or Personal Time Off). This is stupid because PTO is part of my compensation and benefits. I'm entitled to it. But for some reason I feel like I'm neglecting my responsibilities or giving my coworkers and bosses reasons to doubt my commitment.

Pictographs just off the Veit Springs Trail.

At a given time I usually have several weeks of PTO stored up. It's reasonable to have enough to cover contingencies but not reasonable to feel guilty about using it for a relief from the grind. But that is comparing reason to emotion.

Exploring off trail, we hiked up the power line right-of-way until we were able to cross over a barrier of lava rock (on the right inside the forest from this angle). The Arizona Central Highlands are visible here over the Mogollon Rim.

I guess I'm not really sorry for taking time off but I still fight with myself over the issue.