Thanks for sharing this, Cindy McCaskey! We agree it's super important for everyone to plan and take PTO so we can do our best. So happy your manager gave you a nudge and that you took that advice to heart.
I am still in shock that I work at a place where I am actively encouraged to take time for myself and my mental health. Granted, my job includes a lot of stress. It's deadline-driven. I sometimes have to work long hours. But to have my line manager tell me it's been too long since I took time off and ask that I look to schedule some time off later this month to give myself a break? Unheard of in my experience. Or so I thought. I was told that today. And so I did. Thank you, Lourdes Gruenbaum for valuing me more than I value myself.