Beating Back To Work Blues

I love holidays.  I love going away and I love staying home.  The big problem with them as far as I can see is that they have to come to an end.

Perhaps that’s ultimately part of their allure; they’re a break from reality, a chance to do something different with your favourite people, an opportunity for escapism, and that means they have to finish sometime.

I love not having to rush all the time.  No need to set an alarm, although my youngest will still wake me long before I would come round on my own, and nowhere to be at any particular time.  I think that’s the best bit. 

My working week is planned to the minute from the moment I wake on Monday morning to the minute I leave the office on Friday afternoon, so it’s great to have nothing planned and just see where the day takes us.

I write tonight with the evening sun on my face, just enjoying the moment, but knowing that in just a matter of hours, I’ll be sitting back at my desk, logging on to hundreds of emails, hearing about everything that’s happened over the last couple of weeks.  I don’t doubt that by 10 o’clock it’ll feel like I was never away.

I’m determined not to get the dreaded “back to work blues,” though, and this is how I plan to dodge it:

Be Selfish

It’s going to be a busy week, I know that, but I’m absolutely going to make sure to have some ‘me’ time.  Holidays are usually about compromise so that everyone gets a chance to do something they want to do, but as a mum, I probably don’t get as much say in the activities as the girls do. That’s fine. But this week, I’m going to read lots, maybe even go to the cinema, and generally do even just a couple of things I want to.  Just as soon as I’ve done all the laundry.

Get Organised

Those of you who know me will know that this is always a major life mission! I am constantly in the quest of tidiness and organisation.  I know it’ll make things easier, I know it’ll save me time.  I just never quite manage to keep on top of it.  So this week, tomorrow, I’m going to clear up my inbox and my desktop, and start as I mean to go on.  I don’t want to get rid of everything, but it is about making space for the things that are important to me, and being able to find things when I need them.

Keep Up The Good Bits

I have relaxed, a bit, and I’ve certainly been eating well while I’ve been off - lots of fish and fresh fruit and veg – and I’m going to keep that up. I’m also going to try and spend as much time outside as possible. 

I’ve lived in the garden over the last couple of weeks, and it does help that it’s been warm and sunny, but I know there’s lots of research stating the benefits of spending time outside, so even as the days get darker and colder, I’m going to try and get out for a bit. 

I’ve stored pictures in my head of the glorious colours, sounds and smells of this summer to help me through wet power-walks on grey pavements.  Reliving the memory will keep it alive, I’m sure.

A Change Is As Good As A Rest

Try something new.  Every day. Break the routine and do something to get out of a rut. It needn’t be ground-breaking – try a new flavour sandwich, take a different route to work – something to avoid a constant drudge.

Book Your Next Holiday

It’s an oldie but a goodie – book your next time off and give yourself something to look forward to.  Even a day mid-week, or an extended weekend, if you can’t commit yet to a big holiday. You’ll know then that you can really throw yourself back into work.

Get Ready

I’ll admit I’ve checked my emails – I don’t like surprises, unless they’re gift-wrapped – so I know roughly what’s happened while I’ve been gone, and when I get back tomorrow, I’ll leave my out-of-office on for a day or so, just to give me a bit of breathing space. 

Like New Year’s Resolutions, a return from holiday is a great time to take stock and set some new goals, so I’ll be taking some time out away from my computer to think about what’s frustrated me recently and how I can make a difference to that, what are my priorities for the coming term, and to really embed the positive attitude.  I’ll write them down and keep them in my eye-line at work.  As the saying goes, if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough!