Summer’s final embers are still there if you squint. This is what you tell yourself. We’re now in the stage (in London anyway) of: wear a coat, take coat off, put coat back on… You go out with your sunglasses on in the overcast grey, goosebumps pop up like a plague over your knobbly knuckles and knees, shivering under an anguished September sky.
It’s done. Summer is done. The first step on the road to recovery is acceptance. And this is you, reading this, accepting it.
Limit your Holiday Talk
I know you think your holiday was great, you were there. Your colleagues weren’t though so keep the ‘water-cooler chat’ nice and user-friendly. No one wants to see how sunburnt you got so put your horrible back away. Kind Regards will do at the end of an email; just because you now know the Tagalog for it does not make it acceptable email etiquette. As I said in the introduction it’s all over now, don’t prolong the inevitable, you’re going cold turkey.
Don’t fear The Inbox
This doesn’t apply to the mad workaholics who check their emails regularly even when they’re nude sunbathing in Bora Bora. You infinitely sensible folk need not read on, this next bit of advice is for the rest of us fools. This odd thing happens where people actually continue to email you even if you’re not there. They don’t just talk to a brick wall; they fling the kitchen sink at it. Entitled…if you’re away, then you’re out of the loop, not them. Life goes on. But: be prepared for an army of emails and follow-ups cursing the skies above at your absence. The truth is, your bosses and workmates didn’t synchronize their holidays with yours so this is just the way it is. Suck it up.
Start Slow
You’ve missed a lot but playing catch-up and working on the day’s tasks is properly scary. However don’t be afraid to tell the truth, that you’re still getting back to normal. Everyone will no doubt be furious but at least you’re being honest. Working at your own pace is much better than trying to please everyone and getting it all wrong. Be mindful of your need to please and speed-work, it’s dangerous and can lead to errors, which are far worse for your career than apologies. Take a little breath if needed.
Book another Holiday
Rules are there to be broken. It’s all too much, you miss the arid air in your lungs and the bath water lapping about your ankles and you want out. Its okay, everyone needs it, comfort yourself by booking yet another holiday. Preferably within the next year and not the next week but something to look forward to can be the motivational boost you need to not sob at the desk. This is Britain (in our HQ) and we are not equipped to deal with that!
