These last few weeks, since returning from vacation, I have been exploring that “back to work” sentiment with several of my clients.
Often, it is a mixed feeling.
A break gives us enough distance to notice what we have been normalising. We may start to recognise the habits, expectations and ways of working that were slowly driving us half mad.
And we may return with strong intentions: This time, I’m going to do things differently.
Then reality hits.
The bursting inbox. The back-to-back meetings. The urgent requests. The school routines and logistics. The feeling that everyone else has returned at full speed and we need to catch up.
Before we know it, we can find ourselves slipping straight back into the very patterns we promised ourselves we would change.
Yet returning to work after a break can also bring some surprises.
We may find ourselves missing our routines, our sense of purpose, our colleagues and the satisfaction of doing work that matters. Especially if the vacation involved a lot of time in cars and planes with tired, arguing children, being back at work can feel strangely restorative.
At the same time, we may want to hold on to some of what we experienced while we were away. For instance, the slower mornings, exercise, spontaneity and novel reading. The boundaries and the time spent outside. The ability to be fully present. Or perhaps simply having enough mental space to notice how we were actually feeling.
This can be particularly relevant in midlife. Our bodies tend to become increasingly opinionated about what works and what really doesn’t. Sleep, stress, recovery, movement and mental load can become much harder to ignore.
Listening might therefore be a good place to start.
What did your body and mind tell you during your time away?
What felt better?
What did you have more energy for?
What did you realise you no longer want to tolerate?
And perhaps most importantly, what are you going to do with that information?
Because we often have more agency than we think.
We can say no.
We can say not now.
We can set priorities.
We can protect time for recovery.
We can draw boundaries around our health and well-being.
We may not be able to change everything about our work or our circumstances. But we can often change more than we initially assume.
So, as the dust of the new term settles and you find yourself fully back in the rhythm of work, perhaps don’t ask yourself:
“How do I get back to normal?”
Ask instead:
“What do I want my normal to look like now?”
And then you can decide which habits and routines deserve to come with you, and which ones you are ready to leave behind.
