The One about Returning … After a Break or Vacation.
There are some breaks that come to an end like the end of summer, the end of a project, or the conclusion of a job role. With that comes the unavoidable return and the future changes that follow. In these moments, it’s important to pause, reflect, and adjust — without losing the vacation spirit entirely, as you might need it later. It’s good to reflect on the past and look toward the future, so here comes a hopeful article about new beginnings, progressions, and the endings of vacations.
It is a pain to return, we all know that…
However, there are some things that you can do to step out of the ordinary, to get back to the rhythm after the free days that might make you feel good about it. For example:
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Pick up reading a new book.
Starting with something that isn’t the typical career advice - rather, something related to your hobby, or if you’re not a reader, something that gives you a new outlook.
Picking up a book is not only a great way to relax and gain new experiences but also to learn something new. As Alain de Botton noted in The Art of Travel, the books we pick up after a journey can often reflect the changes in ourselves we didn’t notice while away. Consider picking up an educational, mindfulness, self-help, or biographical book.
The New Yorker publishes a yearly list of the best books, and this year’s list is no exception — definitely worth checking out. Maybe you’ll find your next read. One colleague of mine recently picked up a mindfulness book that is a meditation-guided journal, which helped them better understand themselves and practice mindfulness exercises. Another reliable option is reading magazines or books from Monocle, which often inspire entrepreneurs with stories about building confidence, growing businesses, and exploring fellow business stories.
Mentioning de Botton, why not try exploring some of the many career education options from the library of The School of Life, offering insights into everything from emotional intelligence to work-life balance?
Consider picking up an educational, mindfulness, self-help, or biographical book.
Organizing Your To-Dos with Reminders
This method works for many people, myself included, both before and after a longer vacation. When I was especially busy, before a big change and the vacation, I started writing small notes in my phone’s reminders app. I needed a list of what I have to do. Anytime something I needed to remember came to mind, I wrote it quickly down. Once I finished a task, I simply clicked it off, and it disappeared in a satisfying way. It’s a method of organization that may seem chaotic but for me, proves effective in practice.
It also reminds me of the advice of one esteemed career coach, who advises, every time you have a good idea, or you want to remember something, write it in your mini paper journal. This way your thoughts will not disappear later. And they tend to do, sometimes.
There’s also something rewarding in the physical act of crossing off a task, however small.
Rewarding Yourself
Small wins, every day…
We've already touched on this idea of reward. Studies show that the brain releases dopamine when we complete even minor achievements, reinforcing productivity and making each small win a step toward regaining post-vacation rhythm. Did you finish that meeting? Complete your first week back after a vacation? Write the report you'd been postponing? Reward yourself. Each of these moments is an opportunity to support yourself and therefore progress.
Better make it an obligatory point, a to do thing. Over time, making this a habit will increase both motivation and productivity, allowing the return to routine to feel less like an unwanted, tiring process.
Taking Time to Learn Something New
Consider taking a course or gaining a certification…
It’s understandable that adjusting to a new rhythm after a break can be enough of a challenge on its own, but some of us spend time off thinking about what to pick up afterward. As noted in The Art of Travel, the books we choose reflect the changes in ourselves we didn’t notice while away. In the same way, learning something new after a break can offer fresh perspectives on your career, helping you carry that sense of renewal forward into your work life.
Therefore, maybe now you have a specific skill or certification in mind to further explore your career. If you can find the time for it in your schedule, why not? It’s an investment in your future.
Thinking about transition and continuous learning? Check out LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report for 2024.
There is also a subtle reminder that while you were off recharging, the world kept moving. In the end, returning after a break isn’t just about going back to what you did before, the same old routine — it’s an opportunity to start “something” again and it is just up to you which way you will direct it. Some might better get some coffee and get ready.
