Returning to the Office After a Holiday (or a Loss)

I’ve been away from the office for almost two weeks. Today, I woke up feeling like I was unwrapping a gift I wasn’t sure I wanted: excited like a kid on Christmas Day - but afraid that I’d receive another ugly sweater (not the cute kind we wear to Ugly Sweater holiday parties) that my parents would force me to wear on Picture Day.

It’s the beginning of a new calendar year, so I recited my “New Year, New Me” mantra, began my morning routine, grabbed a cup of coffee, and settled at my desk. And then it hit me - the tidal wave of unread emails, mixed with a few meeting requests and endless to-dos. I instantly felt overwhelmed and tired. I don’t know if this is what Iron Mike Tyson meant when he said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” but I was immediately hit by reality as I perused emails and slowly sipped my coffee.

I thought about the scratch-off ticket I received. The $2 payout wouldn’t even buy me another cup of coffee. Getting back into the groove of work after a break can sometimes feel underwhelming and daunting.

Whether it’s post-holiday or post-loss, returning to work can stir up similar emotions. That’s why it’s necessary to ease yourself back into the groove of things. I’m no expert, and I don’t play one on TV, but I have three strategies that have helped me navigate my return:

1. Pace Yourself

You can’t do it all!

In my mind, I’m a superhero. Many of you probably feel the same about yourself. We thrive in a little chaos—or at least we think we do. But is that really true?

Sometimes, the pace of modern technology gives us a false sense of productivity, convincing us that we can juggle it all. We can’t, and we shouldn’t try to. Pace yourself. Start with the urgent items and work your way backward. Delete the industry newsletters, maybe even unsubscribe from them, then tackle the to-do items that flash like a Marquis sign on the Vegas strip when the reminder alerts pop up.

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2. Close (and Lock) the Door

Remember Les Nessman from WKRP in Cincinnati and his invisible office door? He would tune out distractions and focus completely on his work.

While I don’t recommend isolating yourself entirely, metaphorically, “close the door” (yes, I sang that in my Teddy Pendergrass voice), be honest about what you can accomplish and offer realistic alternatives to colleagues or customers anxiously awaiting your return. Delegate tasks to team members with the capacity to handle them or inform your customers that you’ll address their issues by a specific date. They may not immediately get the desired answer, but they’ll appreciate your transparency.

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3. Get Up and Move

The body needs breaks!

My Apple Watch reminds me when I’ve been sitting too long, urging me to “stand.” If you don’t have a smartwatch, set reminders in your calendar to stretch, hydrate, or simply imagine that you have a scratch-off worth more than $2.

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Recently, I read an article linking long work hours to depression, restlessness, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, and even diminished brain function.

Regular movement is non-negotiable.? You must get up and move.

Whether it’s your first or fourth day back, you must give yourself some grace. We only have one body and life, so let’s take care of it. Let’s make this New Year New Me mantra a reality - start small, stay consistent, and make this your year.

Here’s to a healthier, happier, and more productive 2025. You’ve got this!

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