Post-Holiday Paralysis?

Okay, sight savored. Now, back to reality.

Are you still on vacation mode? Do you find it hard to get back on track after a break? I sooo know how that feels like.

I used to be in denial after holiday breaks and long weekends. I remember that it used to always be dreadfully difficult to get my grove back after having spent some time chillaxing and kicking back. 

This year, though, I employed a different technique, and it worked! I was able to enjoy a relaxing and productive weekend, and I didn't suffer from too much of a holiday hangover. Okay, okay, I didn't exactly go gallivanting at the beach, but I holed up at our family resthouse which, I'm pretty sure, is undoubtedly more conducive to lazing around. 

Anyway, here are a few things I did that made the jolt back to reality not as jarring:

1. A week prior to the trip, I booked my schedule solid with things to do. I made like a mad horse with DND blinders, and finished as many deliverables as I could. I sent out email after email and did report after report. I wrote and edited like I was chasing a magazine deadline. I found that attending to as many to-dos prior to a trip frees one up during the trip to think of non-work things. As such, I ended up with the K to sleep in, the freedom to daydream a little more, and the joy of spending more QT with my loved ones.
2. Before leaving for a break, jot down a list of must-dos for when you get back. Plot out your calendar, schedule in meetings, and project your deliverables. Holiday hangovers are particularly painful because we end up overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done when we finally get back. Managing and plotting out that workload with clarity gives one a sense of control. For me, it soothed my OC nerves and allowed me to let go even for a bit.
   
3. While I had initially wanted not to bring any work at all on my Easter vacay, I was facing a couple of Monday deadlines that I couldn't wiggle out of. So against my will, I whipped out my laptop and got to work. We can't always shake off work stuff while on a holiday. So if you seriously must work, choose work that require the least effort or brainpower (do some filing, work on simple copywriting tasks, etc). I finished a couple of simple stories during the break and did some short copywriting assignments. I worked on them while my sibs and I watched some DVD movies. Thankfully, my sibs chose movies I had already seen. Win-win.     
4. The last and most important technique unique of all? Making the most of a holiday trip. I spent my break bonding with my mom and sibs, sleeping in, and eating amazing food. Take advantage of a well-deserved break. Remember, breaks are necessary. They're batteries that power you up for yet another grueling round of work—that is, 'til the next long weekend.

Bring it on, reality. I'm recharged and ready!