The festive season is over, the dust has settled down, and the celebratory mood is wearing away. The reality is that everyday life is here with us, and it is time to get back to reality and routine—back to work, back to business, and back to hustling.
“I would wish for the long vacations that came along with exciting travel experiences, where for a moment I let my hair down, and let myself loose, meaning for a moment I let off the hook of routine, worries of hectic work schedules, crisis traffic, and other routines, to conveniently “tune” my brain to forget all these issues, is now done,” says Tom Nabwire, an engineer.
Nabwire says that although he had more than two weeks of holiday, it seemed too short to fulfil all his holiday travel dreams. On Monday, January 6, he says, it was time to face reality—back to factory settings, back to work and normal life’s routine.
For many, getting back to a “normal routine” is easier said than done. Many are in denial and postpone tasks such as unpacking and not checking their emails and social media messages that have been piling up, while others go ahead and ask for extended leave days.
However, according to Maryanne Muritu, an HR Manager, these are no sound solutions, as they will escalate to other problems of wishing you had attended to some tasks soon after your vacation.
“Keeping tasks and issues that need attention after the holidays will soon leave you exhausted as you rush to catch up – the year has just started, and you have been on vacation to cut down stress! It is too early to let stress catch up with you,” she says.
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Start with small tasks such as visiting the supermarket and grocery shop to stock food and other household items, and bring back your home “alive” the way it was before you set it for your “away” settings – checking on the electronics, fringe, water supply, security lights, alarms, etc.
Unpack at your own pace, but plan to finish the process by the first weekend after your vacation. This will give you peace knowing that you have put the vacation behind you and are ready for the routine.
Unpacking also means those souvenirs, jewellery, clothes, and other items you bought while on vacation. Organise your trip mementos and souvenirs.
Fix your laundry the first week to avoid a pile of dirty laundry when you start your normal routine.
Try to get enough sleep to kick off the jet lag or the exhaustion of a long drive to let your body get back into a regular sleep routine. You can do this by getting into bed at your normal time.
Take care of yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually. Exhaustion can lead to complicated health issues. Travel may have taken a toll on you.