Have you ever felt that post-holiday dread, where the thought of diving back into work feels overwhelming? For years, I struggled with this transition, but I’ve finally cracked a way to have a smooth, stress-free return. In this article, I share my journey from frantic catch-up to mindful re-entry, and how you can transform your post-holiday experience into a gentle, productive glide back into work life.
The Importance of Real Breaks
Monday was my first day at work after spending 3 weeks in the South of France in August. I did not do much work at all on Monday, and very little on Tuesday, only starting to slowly get back into a normal routine by Wednesday and Thursday.This is a process I have been working on for about 3 years. This is the first where I feel that I’m finally truly embracing it. Since I became self-employed 11 years ago I learnt the hard way that giving myself real breaks from work was essential, and that removing pressure upon return was also essential.
My Holiday Experience
This year, truly clocking off during my holiday was made easier by the fact that 1) I no longer have on-call doula clients to check up on (Last year I was still supporting a friend through birth-despite no longer officially working at a doula since 2022). 2) I have learnt to create passive income from my online courses (this includes pre-planning for a lower income on holiday months by running promotions on my courses ahead of time), 3) for the first time since I started working for myself in 2013, I have a VA (thanks to my Access to Work grant), and she took care of purchases/clients whilst I was away.
I had a lovely, slow, relaxing time in France. Lots of leisurely mornings, swimming in lakes and the sea. Longer coffee and pain au chocolat breakfast whilst enjoying a sea view. I caught up with my family. I ate gorgeous food. I read books. I drummed and I wrote songs. I binged watched a Netflix series. I played games. I went out for meals, and to visit new places, including a gorgeous magical natural fountain in the Aude region.
Slowing down and being led by what my heart and soul want to do is very replenishing. This was doubly meaningful this time, as I had been working hard to meet my new drumming book deadline for several weeks, and handed over the manuscript to the publisher the day before my holiday.
The Challenge of Returning to Work
Even though I love my work, I always find the change of pace after coming back from a break, especially one as long as this one, challenging
In the past, I used to try to get myself back into work mode instantly, and berated myself inwardly when I couldn’t. What used to happen is that I internally flogged myself and not only did this not work, but it added pressure, stress, and a double layer of negative mindset to an already challenging time.
My Evolved Approach to Re-entry
Now, I purposefully plan at least 2 or 3 days of slow re-entry. I plan my return ahead of time, writing a list of everything I’ll need to do when I get back from my break, because I tend to forget. Being clear that nothing intense or extra challenging is taking place immediately when I’m back also helps avoid overwhelm.
The first day, all I’m asking myself to do is planning what needs to be done. I remove all pressure. Then I slowly increase the amount of work whilst carefully gauging whether I’m OK doing this amount yet. Instead of berating myself, I have a gentle conversation with myself, reminding myself that taking it slow is the wise way to go about it.
Because of the way resistance works, as soon as I give myself permission to take things slowly, my nervous system relaxes out of fight and flight, the resistance eases, and poof, as if by magic, I no longer feel the desire to avoid work. It’s like reverse psychology.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
I’ve been writing about self-care as a solopreneur for over 8 years, you can read my first article about this here.
Here’s a collection of other articles about self-care, gentleness and self-kindness I’ve written over the years:
- How I went from overwhelm to joyful productivity and authentic marketing
- Feeling overwhelmed or stuck? Some easy ways to resolve the issue.
- Getting out of overwhelm
- Today I give myself permission to do nothing
- ADHD hacks: the tricks I use to overcome procrastination and actually get sh*t done
- Unseen Brilliance: ADHD, Witnessing Your Gifts, and Empowering Others to See Theirs
- Have you got impostor syndrome? Here’s how I dealt with mine
- Stressed? Overwhelmed? Try grounding
- Do you long for more sacredness in your life?
Key Takeaways:
- Recognise the importance of real breaks from work, especially for if you are self-employed
- Plan for lower income during holiday months by creating passive income streams
- Delegate tasks when possible (e.g., hiring a VA) to truly disconnect during time off
- Allow yourself a slow, gradual re-entry to work after a vacation
- Plan your return ahead of time, listing tasks to avoid forgetting important items
- Start with a day of just planning, removing all pressure to accomplish tasks
- Slowly increase workload while gauging your readiness and energy levels
- Replace self-criticism with gentle self-talk and understanding
- Remember that a mindful, gradual return often leads to better productivity in the long run
- Continue to refine your re-entry process based on what works best for you
Conclusion
Embracing a slow, intentional return to work isn’t just about easing stress—it’s about honouring the restoration you’ve gained from your time off. By giving yourself permission to ease back in gently, you’re likely to find yourself more productive and centred. Remember, it’s not about how quickly you can jump back in, but how wisely you can transition.
So the next time you return from a break, try this approach. Your future self will thank you for your kindness and wisdom.
What strategies do you use to make your return to work smoother? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.