When Other People’s Expectations Affect Your Ability to Rest

When Other People’s Expectations Affect Your Ability to Rest

Pre-vacation stress is more common than you might think. Explore how other people’s expectations and planning together can affect your time to unwind.

A vacation often comes with expectations from family, partners, or friends about what should get done and how free time should be spent. When those expectations differ, planning can create more pressure than enjoyment. A helpful first step is to talk openly about what everyone needs and agree to set aside some time without a shared agenda. That can help make the vacation more relaxing for everyone spending it together.

Interested in this topic? Read more: Why some people can't look forward to vacation and how to find inner peace in the chaos before departure Want to find out where you stand personally? Take a short test at the end of the page and gain a better understanding.

How does this apply to you? Choose the answers that describe you best:

Imagine that you have a week completely free of obligations in front of you. How do you feel about this idea?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you envision the ideal morning on vacation?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

When someone else in your surroundings is experiencing excitement about a vacation, how does it affect you?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What do you most often imagine when you hear the word "vacation"?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What usually happens to you a few days before vacation?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What is the hardest thing for you at the beginning of a vacation?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What bothers you the most on vacations?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

If you could choose between an unplanned free time and a well-organized vacation, which one would you choose?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you react when someone cancels a joint vacation plan?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What do you think has the biggest influence on whether you actually enjoy your vacation?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Why some people can't look forward to vacation – and how to change it

Get an evaluation of your answers

Enter your email to create an account and link this test to it. After you submit all 10 answers, we’ll show your evaluation on the page and email you a link.