Last month, I took some time off from work. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, both mentally and physically, and I really needed a break. So, I used a few days of my vacation to completely disconnect, relax, and take a deep breath.
But honestly, coming back was much harder than I expected.
The night before my first day back, I felt something very familiar – that Sunday night tension. Maybe you know what I mean – when you feel nervous, a bit sad, and not really ready to return to work. I think it’s completely normal, but that doesn’t make it easier.
This time, I decided to do something different. Instead of just waking up and hoping for the best, I made a small plan to help myself return more smoothly.
Before My Break
Before going to leave, I set up my out-of-office message. Nothing fancy – just the usual info, when I’ll be back, and who to contact while I’m away. That saved me a lot of stress, because I knew people would be informed and wouldn’t expect a reply right away.
Also, I made a short to-do list – what needed to be finished, what could wait and which tasks I could pass to my colleagues. There were a few things I couldn’t leave behind, so I asked a colleague to help. She was very kind and said yes. That helped a lot because when I came back, I didn’t have a mountain of tasks waiting for me.
A Few Days Before Returning
Two days before my return, I sent a quick message to the team. I asked if there was anything important I should know before my first day back. They gave me a short update, and it was really helpful. I didn’t feel lost when I came back because I already had an idea of what was going on.
I also texted a colleague who works on the same projects as me. She shared a few updates too, and that, really made me feel more confident.
The First Day Back
On my first day back, I woke up a bit earlier. I arrived in the office before most of the team, and that gave me time to breathe, make a coffee, and start reading my emails slowly. It helped me feel more in control.
I didn’t try to do everything at once. I made a plan for the day: check emails, speak with colleagues, review my to-do list, and – very important – take a lunch break.. I also had a few friendly chats with the team – and realized I had actually missed them!
The most important thing I did? I didn’t push myself too hard. I took small breaks during the day, even just 5 minutes to stretch or look outside. It helped me stay focused and not feel exhausted already on day one.
What I Learned
Coming back to work is always a bit strange after time off. You might feel guilty, or nervous, or sad that the break is over. But I learned that if I prepare a little before and take it slow on the first day, it’s not so bad. Actually, it can even feel good – like a fresh start.
If you’re planning to take some time off soon (or just did), my advice is: plan a little, ask for updates before you come back, and allow yourself not to be at 100% on day one. That’s completely okay.
We are all human, and transitions take time.
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