You know that one coworker who brags about not taking a vacation in three years like it’s a badge of honor? Keith Johnson is here to tell them to sit down and book a trip already. We sat down with Keith—a seasoned traveler, dad, and unapologetic vacation time evangelist—to talk about why people hoard their PTO, what’s wrong with staycations, and how travel can be simple, fun, and totally non-intimidating.
Keith Honestly, I think people just got used to the grind. Somewhere along the way, working yourself into the ground became the norm. But vacation time isn’t some magical future prize—it's there so you don’t go insane. Yet people treat it like they’re saving up for retirement-level relaxation. News flash: You can take a break before you need a therapist.
Keith: I hear that all the time. “It’s too hard to plan.” But that’s what tools are for—apps, AI, your friend who lives for making spreadsheets. I always say: Travel doesn’t have to be hard, fancy, or even far. You don’t need to backpack across Europe or book a luxury resort. You just need a little curiosity and the will to put your email on vacation mode.
Keith (laughs): Oh, absolutely. Staycations sound good in theory: “I’ll rest at home, catch up on Netflix, maybe reorganize the spice rack.” But what really happens? You end up doing laundry, getting pulled into a Zoom call, or fixing that leaky faucet. It's not a break. It's just regular life in sweatpants. That’s not a vacation, it’s a trap.
Keith: I like trips that leave you with a good story. Maybe you ate something weird, got a little lost, tried paddleboarding and ended up in the water. That’s the stuff you remember. You don’t need a 10-day itinerary—you just need one or two good moments that knock you out of your daily routine.
Keith: Take. The. Trip. Use the days. Your inbox will be fine. The world is big and weird and beautiful—and your couch will be waiting for you when you get back. Just don’t call binge-watching a staycation. That’s just Tuesday night.
Keith Johnson
Owner - President - Founder AiBellHop.com