To think that holidays are non essential?

[Silliantro]

The amount of whinging about missing out on holidays here and elsewhere has been shockingly irritating. Will missing out on a couple of trips to Megaluf/bland med cruises REALLY be the end of the world? It's such a shocking tone-deaf and privileged way to live your life.

Will staying at home and talking to your DC/learning a language/read a few books really be the end of the world? It's pretty grim absolutely NEED trips abroad or the seaside to to distract yourself from your own life.

Well clearly holidays aren’t essential to life - as some people can’t afford to have one.
But your attitude is a bit miserable.

A holiday can have a huge positive impact on mental health.

In the strictest sense, no a holiday is not essential, unlike food, shelter, warmth.

But our lives are constucted a certain way - and for many many people a holiday is something that brings pleasure into their lives. So it is not surprising they miss them when they are not able to go.

My DC are adults, I have been furloughed for most of the last year then working part time. I would love a holiday. Everyone has different lives and it’s not a bad thing that they are disappointed in not having a holiday. Personally I think since covid started too many people are commenting on other people’s lives instead of living their own.

Holidays to Magaluf aren’t essential.

Traveling abroad is, for many people. There’s hundreds of reasons why people would travel on what seems to be a holiday, but couldn’t be more different from one.

Holidays are not essential. Most people if they are honest, don’t really enjoy them.

It is when your young free and single!
I can take or leave holidays personally , but at 20 I lived for a break away. It's yet another thing we can't do isn't it? Any ' freedoms' taken away isn't good.

I agree with you. Everyone has a reason why they absolutely deserve a holiday this year, but it's not essential. Best to don your hard hat for starting this thread, OP.

Yes a holiday is essential - not in the sense of going anywhere but a BREAK from work.
Not had one for a year, but bloody loving having four days off between old job and new job.

You have an amazingly joyless outlook on life, OP. No, holidays and trips aren't essential. But they make life more fun. They broaden our horizons. They give us that mental break from the daily grind. It's particularly shocking that you seem to begrudge people trips to the seaside - that's just sad. Learning a language or reading a book at home is not the same experience as feeling the sea on your skin, making sandcastles, collecting shells - all those little joys. So very sad. I hope you don't actually live like this with any children you may have.

So what if it isn’t essential?

Of course people don't need a holiday. But many want one, and that's totally fine.

OP you can do the things you suggest 52 weeks of the year. Most people prefer a bit of variety in their lives. If you don't that's fine for you but for me, and many others, travelling abroad is how we see family. And we go to Scandinavia not Magaluf.

Holidays are not essential. But they are, for some people, the highlight of the year and something to look forward to for months beforehand. Especially if you work long hours or in a stressful job.

Staying at home and learning a language? Really not the same thing!

It's all relative to what you need to maintain good mental health, surely?

I used to crave holidays but this last year I have been trying to improve my homelife so I don't need a break from it

so yea, for me they are no longer essential but I can see how they could be for someone else

Holidays are not essential. Most people if they are honest, don’t really enjoy them.

Nonsense. To people working full-time in demanding jobs, holidays are essential and enjoyable.

“And we have today’s first contender in “Misery Olympic Games”. Coming strong out of the gate in 100 word condemnation event is Silliantro.

Now obviously they high horse is essential in this event and extra points are awarded for a strong sneer, but you’ll notice that she lost an opportunity to play the ECO card, that may cost her in the long run. We’ll check back to see how she does, right after the curtain twitching semi-finals.

Over to you Kent”

Not essential, no, but I miss them and want one. HTH.

Well, there are benefits of course - vitamin D and change of scenery, learning a little about a different culture, language, people, being active (if the holiday is sporty). These are all good things that are known to have a positive effect on our well-being. But on the whole I agree with you, they are not essential. There are other ways to relax and do sports.

My ex was hell bent on holidays abroad (pre-covid) and felt that it's the only time of the year he can relax and it was always really important to him that we went abroad to a sunny place every year. I often found the expense and stress of fitting it into our very busy lives not quite worth the benefits. Hasn't helped that we argued too. Even on holiday.

My parents and siblings do not live in the UK. If I put on mumsnet that I would like to see them in June after my second child is born with my 2 year old son I get my head bitten off because it's all non essential. It doesn't mean it would mean the world to me. It's considered a holiday and in a way it is, to get support with my toddler and my newborn. I miss them dearly.

Do you really think all the holidays that people are missing are just trips to Magaluf and med cruises?

They’re not. Foreign trips can be massively enriching and are a big part of some people’s lives.

No it’s not essential, but most industries aren’t essential yet still people accept that they need to exist to provide jobs and quality of life, both of which are essential. Your post comes across as quite nasty tbh, because actually, there are plenty of people that need to travel because that don’t have lovely fulfilling lives, careers and families in their every day at home. If you can’t see that, then it’s you that comes across as tone deaf and privileged.

Most holidays are not essential.

Depends how widely you define as holiday. If your holidays entail travelling to family then it can be essential. Applies especially to people living alone who may need annual leave from work or children to have school holidays to see the people in their bubble.

Whinging on MN can be healthy if you are sad or lonely or frustrated. Most of the thread titles are explanatory so easy to scroll past if you get irritated. Their are things on MN I am bored by but others enjoy.

Not essential, no... but everyone is different. Some people live for their holidays away. It is what they go to work for. Don't look down your nose at people who get a different kind of enjoyment from life than you do.

@PanamaPattie

Holidays are not essential. Most people if they are honest, don’t really enjoy them.

You're doing them wrong