Why I’m Taking Two Months Off as a Travel Physical Therapist

After months of back-to-back assignments with just a week between assignments and also recently getting married, we’ve decided to take a step back and press pause on our travel physical therapy careers.... for two full months! This break comes at a perfect time, just a month after our wedding and during the holiday season, allowing us to celebrate and recharge.

First up, we’ll be spending Thanksgiving with each of our families, soaking in the season and enjoying quality time with loved ones. After that, we’ll head off for three weeks on our honeymoon in Curacao and Bonaire. We’re beyond excited to explore these beautiful Caribbean islands, relax on the beaches, go scuba diving for the first time, and enjoy adventures across the islands together before heading back to the U.S. for the new year. Having already been to Aruba, this trip will let us say we’ve visited all of the ABC islands! Plus, the weather is excellent in December, which is their busy season, making it the perfect time to go.

We’re also planning additional trips to see family in other locations within driving distance from where we’re currently staying between assignments. These moments remind us why the flexibility of travel PT is so unique and is something you rarely (if ever) get with a traditional physical therapy job.

This break is also a chance to reflect on why we love travel PT. Beyond the opportunity to see new places while on assignment, this career gives us the financial freedom and flexibility that allows for experiences like this. We’ve planned carefully, saved a healthy amount of money, and can make this extended time off possible because travel PT pays exceptionally well. Knowing that opportunities like this won’t last forever (once we buy a house or have kids) makes this pause even more meaningful.

During this time, I’ll also dedicate energy to growing TheTravelDPT, staying consistent with posting blogs, providing assignment tips, sharing awesome jobs, and helping other physical therapists find their next adventure.

We are planning for our next contract at the end of January. We are planning a relaxed road trip to get there, taking our time to enjoy the journey and hit cool spots along the way rather than rushing. Starting a new assignment can be stressful, but this slower pace will allow us to explore, create more memories, and ease any worries about jumping back into work.

This two-month break is a reminder of why we continue in this career of travel physical therapy. It’s not just about earning a lot of money; it’s about having the freedom to live our lives on our terms. From adventure-filled honeymoons to family holidays, road trips, and personal projects, the freedom and experiences that travel PT provides are truly unbeatable for us.

We’re excited for this chapter, and we can’t wait to share our journey with you all along the way! Stay tuned to see where our next assignment will take us!