The First Day Back from Vacation Seems So Sudden!
Just yesterday, I was on vacation. My worries were, what fun was I going to get up to for the day and where was I going to go to dinner! I got up to watch the sunset, because I could - and could actually sit with a nice cup of coffee and enjoy it - instead of sunrise being a beacon of time hounding me that I have to get out the door and into the traffic or I'll be late for work.
The first day back at work after a vacation seems so ... well, so sudden.
Even though I knew it was coming of course, it just seems that the piles of paper and mail and lists of emails and phone calls to return belong to someone else, not me -- the beach-goer, fort explorer, lighthouse climber...
It's a little depressing, no?
There is actually something called "return-from-vacation-blues" or something like that. Big pharma is probably working on a pill for it but if you are into a more natural way, the answer lies in being a little organized and a lot kind to yourself!
Because we have someone come to stay at our house to take care of the dogs while we are gone, I can't leave the house in a tip. I have to clean it before I go. That has worked out to be a huge benefit for me because I come home to a clean house. It feels a LOT better not to walk and and think OMG, I have to do this and this and that.
In addition to the let-down of returning to the ol' grind without the hopeful glow of a vacation looming in the near future, traveling is tiring. Chances are you were probably letting your hair down a bit (and with it, your sleep schedule and diet!) so there really is some catching up to do!
Transition
If you can, leave a day or two OFF after you've come home but before you go to work. If you are like us and you have to squeak every last second out of every vacation day because they are so scarce, then at least plan for your first few days back to be easy days. Transition days where you are kind to yourself by doing only as much as you have to and nothing extra!
At Home
Before you go, cook a little extra and freeze it. Throw a loaf of bread in the freezer too. Whatever you can think of that you can toss in there so that when you return late on Sunday night, you don't have to stop at the grocery store on the way from the airport or face a house void of a morsel of sustenance.
Plan for Chinese take-out or pizza the next day so that you do not have to rush home and cook.
Wait till the next weekend to do the laundry but DO empty the case and get it out of the middle of the floor. It is just a depression magnifier!
In the Office
Just as you clean your house before you go away, you should clean your desk and get as much done as you possibly can. Leave a prioritized list of what needs to be done upon your return. That way, you can come back, go through the list and not worry about putting out all the fires until you've been back for a few days.
If you're a blogger, set up some posts to publish while you are gone. When you set up your away-from-your-desk messages, set them to a day or two after you've returned. Give yourself that time to catch up while everyone thinks you are still away!
Your coworkers and family and friends and the rest of the world will do their part to bury you with work the minute you arrive back home. You certainly don't need to add to it! This is the time to take a little extra care of yourself.
I hope these tips will help you make a happier transition from vacation to ol' grind next time and by now you realize that I lied. I have been back from vacation for a few days! I am getting back to work now.
Recent Comments
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Welcome back, I'm looking forward to the time I can take a real vacation. Haven't had one for 20 years. But soon, very soon.
Well, it was 5 days of a business trip (but still, out of the office and they fed us well!) and 4 days of actual vacay. Felt great although the frustration level at work is such that I am ready to go back on vacation, like NOW
Thanks ValerieJoy! The dogs were happy to see us and we are all getting back to 'normal.' It's amazing how long we plan for vacation and a week later, it's a distant memory!
Hi PattT - I'm pleased you have been able to enjoy a pleasant vacation, and return to an organized home. It's great that your dog is cared for at home while you are away - so much less stressful for him / her.
I enjoyed reading your tips:)
Valerie
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All good tips. Reading them before the vacation might also help. Ever feel that when walking down the arrival concourse that you are ready for another vacation no matter how tiring this one may have been. The genie is out of the bottle - vacations should be the norm, the rest of life is the fluff.