Recharge Your Soul: How to Unplug with a “Gone Fishin’” Sign

Remember the hand-scribbled sign that said, “Gone Fishin’”? No excuses, just permission to pause.

Lately, I have felt tired and on edge. Between following the news and keeping my practice visible online, I realised I was chasing algorithms instead of doing the work I love.

So, I’m stepping away for a couple of weeks. But first, I want to share why taking a break from work matters.

What really changes when you unplug

When you step away, the noise quiets, sleep steadies, and decisions feel easier. Tension softens and small worries take up less space.

Time away also opens room for fresh thinking. A different walking route, a quiet sit by the water, or even looking up at the clouds can offer a new perspective.

Many people skip holidays from guilt or fear that everything will fall apart. In reality, a proper break usually does the opposite—you return clearer, calmer, and more present.

Your fishing rod does not need a passport

What matters most is your state of mind, not the destination. A real break happens when you stop doing work in your head as well as with your hands.

Whether you travel somewhere new, enjoy a staycation with cosy blankets and guilt-free telly, or take a micro-break like a screen-free afternoon walk, the benefits come when you step out of work mode completely.

How to make your break count

1. Prep mindfully. Set a clear away message such as, “Gone restoring my soul. Back [date].” Let clients know you’ll be offline and share backup support if needed.

2. Detach fully. Silence work apps and store away your laptop. Even brief, frequent check-ins can erode your rest. Try a clean break for a day or two and see how it feels.

3. Choose joy, not Instagram. Read a light novel, nap, or watch the sky. Do what feels restful, not what looks good online.

4. Ease back in. Give yourself a buffer day before fully returning to work. Relive the break with photos and protect your evenings like sacred space.

A brief personal note

My last proper break was visiting back east a few summers ago. We spent slow mornings with coffee on a weathered deck, afternoons walking shoreline paths with gulls overhead, and evenings talking with friends without a single device in sight.

I came home recalibrated. The static in my head had cleared, and my worries felt lighter. That’s the gift of real disconnection; it brings you back to yourself and creates space to notice what matters.

This August, I’m closing the office. LinkedIn can wait. I’ll be watching the sky, not my inbox.

Coming back

The lift from a real break can fade if you rush into an overflowing inbox. Protect your gains by easing into work, keeping evenings free, and letting the memory of rest shape your days.

When your work involves holding space for others, taking time off is not indulgence; it’s stewardship. You serve best when your cup is full.

A small invitation

Where is your watering hole? A hammock, a hiking trail, a bakery with perfect croissants?

Try hanging a small “Gone Fishin’” sign, even as a metaphor. It could be for a week, an afternoon, or just one device-free evening. Notice how your attention shifts and what returns to you.

If you’d like a ready-made out-of-office message or a client preparation template, I’ll share one when I return.

Stefan Jürgens, RP (Qualifying), Founder of Inner Counsel Psychotherapy. After 20 years as a law librarian bearing witness to human stories within complex systems, he now supports adults navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and life transitions.

Currently honouring his own need for renewal, Stefan is offline until August 25.

#MentalHealthBreak #SelfCareMatters #BurnoutRecovery #DigitalDetox #WorkLifeBalance #Mindfulness #TherapistLife #StressRelief #RechargeYourSoul #UnplugToReconnect

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