Focus on the joy of family

A changed password made all the difference.

When Victoria D’Amico went on sabbatical in 2016, the acting director filling in for her at Sitkans Against Family Violence changed her work password — and eliminated any temptation she might have to just “check in” and see how things were going.

“That was probably the single most important thing I did to disconnect from work,” D’Amico said.

After 28 years of working in crisis intervention, and the resulting fatigue and vicarious traumatization, D’Amico needed that complete break. But she also didn’t have the energy to plan an extensive vacation away, and traveling a great distance felt overwhelming.

So D’Amico thought about the things that give her the greatest joy in her life — her daughter and two grandchildren — and decided to focus on being with them. And that’s exactly what she did, first taking a little time alone in a rented house in Palm Springs, California, allowing her to debrief, relax and unwind.

Then her daughter and grandchildren joined her in a house on the beach in Florida, where they rented wave runners, went paddle boarding and horseback riding, and swam every day for a month. For the rest of her sabbatical, D’Amico stayed home in Sitka where her family visited every day. D’Amico said it was a blessing to be able to share in the growth and development of her granddaughters on a daily basis.

Upon returning to work, D’Amico worked half days initially, meeting one-on-one with staff to get reacquainted. She changed some roles and responsibilities as she prioritized her work style and supervisory skills.

“Until I was completely removed from the environment, I couldn’t see the changes I needed to make, both for myself and for the organization in order to sustain our growth strategies,” D’Amico said.