How To Conquer the Post Vacation Blues

I don’t know about you but I’ve been struggling trying to get back into a routine after back to back vacations. I felt so motivated on January 1st and that motivation has been dwindling down ever since work started. Mainly because in the workforce, there are no more actual holidays until July – seriously, not even spring break! This time of the year has felt like highway hypnosis for me and if you’re in the same boat, here are some tips to beat the post vacation blues because yes – it’s a real thing (there’s even a Wikipedia page!).

SET GOALS FOR YOURSELF AND CREATE A MINI-ROUTINE

In the world of consulting, a thing such as a routine is far from existence. Things change constantly and sometimes you’re not even sure where you’ll be traveling to the following week. It is a fun life but there is a lack of structure which is why it is important to create that structure for yourself. Setting mini goals for yourself monthly is a great way to create a routine. These goals can be financial, personal, or professional.

For example, you could set a goal to send 10 networking emails and engage in coffee chats to grow your professional network. Or, you could cut out shopping for a month and save a higher percentage of your paycheck. A planner is a great way to keep track of these goals and check them off once they’re complete. This helps me feel organized. I was also recently gifted the One Line a Day journal which I’ve added to my nightly routine and it has actually helped me collect all my scattered thoughts at the end of the day and write a couple of sentences. It’s a great way to close out my night and has added to my daily routine. 

HAVE VACATIONS AND PLANS LINED UP

This one is my favorite! Have a few vacation plans looming in the horizon so you always have something to look forward to. Towards the end of last year, I had mini trips planned almost every weekend. It would make the work week go by much quicker and would help lift my mood. And, sometimes I would even plan the trips during working hours which also helped! Weekend trips are the best or even making day trip plans with your friends in your local city. The possibilities are endless!

CLEAN AND ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE

When I come back from vacation, I usually don’t unpack immediately because I’m tired and lazy. It all eventually gets unpacked slowly and put away but it probably takes a week. One thing I’ve learned is that unpacking immediately helps get you back into your routine quicker. Doing laundry the next day and cleaning up your space will not only help de-clutter your mind but also de-stress your life. Everything gets put back in its place and you can start preparing for the work week by figuring out what you need to do and what you need to wear.

I also get out my planner and look at my aerial calendar view and start planning out my life. Figuring out when I need to get groceries, managing my budget, planning potential trips here and there helps me feel more organized. I also add events into my iPhone calendar so it shows me another view of the month and what I have going on. I’m one of those people who thrives off of having back to back events / meetings and it gives me a productivity rush. This aerial monthly view combined with the decluttering really helps you get back into the driver’s seat and take control of your routine. 

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Let me know if you find any of these tips helpful or if you have any more!