I've noticed-certainly the last three years-that when I get back from the annual vacation it is a real struggle getting back into 'work mode'. It's a little similar to the feeling I get on a Sunday prior to work on a Monday. I know colleagues get it as well. Is there any way to avoid it?
The quick answering on 'avoiding it' is to lessen the shock between vacation and work by having a bit of transition time i.e. a few days at home just being 'around the place' to begin to 'wind up'. The same might be helpful at the start of a holiday period. For most of us our work is so intense, so 'full on', to suddenly change to holiday mode can be surprisingly un-settling.
The longer answer is to realise that maybe, just maybe the period of 'down-time' has allowed your mind to do some thinking and maybe, just maybe, it's time for a change. What we enjoyed once, we may no longer enjoy or we might want a shift in direction. So take those post-vacation blues and ask: what the heck are they telling me? And maybe you'll get some clues about future career direction.
