You always experience feelings when you return to work after being away for a week. Whether anxiety, dread, excitement, clarity, fatigue, surprise, etc. you are feeling something. Typically I feel anxious and the feeling of overwhelm can be gigantic–but not this time. I feel different than usual in a way that I have yet to fully understand. It’s not anxiety, it’s a calm. What I do know is that something is different and I need to get back to work.
You always have a good vacation when you actually vacate. This means not working over vacation. No checking email. No replying to text messages and voicemails. I took this to heart for the first time in a long while.
I spent a week away from routine, a week away from ruts.
- I stayed offline
- I ignored my cellphone (except non-work)
- I slept
- I ate and drank well
- I hiked
- I went sledding
- I built a snowman
- I spent time with my wife
- I went skiing with my kids
- I had a snowball fight with them too
- I cooked
- I read and listened to audio books
- I watched the beginning of “March Madness”
Now I’ll be honest. I did have my moments during the week where I was in a psychological slump, but I would attribute that to my brain unwinding from the routine. On the day of my actual return back home I drove the whole way. Gave me time to listen to an audiobook called Rework
- I can’t make every web idea I have come to life
- It’s OK to stop working at 5 o’clock
- People will not die if I don’t get a task done right away
- Things can wait
- Everything is not very important
- Worrying solves nothing
- There is enough time to get it done, but I need to prioritize
- Turn off distractions (yes that means you Twitter, Facebook, iPhone)
- Rest and time away from working is essential
- Be grateful
I’m happy to say that I am more relaxed returning to work this week, and for that fact alone I am extremely grateful. Needless to say I am changing a few things.
