Vacations are glorious. Especially Pesach—sunshine, family time, lots of carbs (let’s face it, there’s not much else to eat) and not a whole lot of routine. But then comes the return. You land back at your desk (or just open your laptop in pajamas) and reality hits.
You’re tired. You’re behind. You’re not entirely sure what day it is. And your to-do list? Might be hiding under a pile of laundry and half-packed suitcases.
Don’t panic. Here’s your get-back-on-track game plan, one step at a time.
Start your day with a win
Step one? Move your body and feed it something real. A quick walk, yoga, or even stretching can reboot your brain. Pair it with a nutritious breakfast—think protein, fiber and something green—and you’ll be less likely to crash by 11 AM (or reach for leftover chocolate-covered matzah).
Fix your sleep
If your sleep schedule is still on “vacation mode”—a.k.a. staying up too late and waking up whenever—reel it back in. Aim for consistent bedtimes and wake-up times, even if you’re battling jet lag. A few days of good sleep will make everything else easier.
Write a to-do list
Your brain might be juggling 37 tabs right now. Calm the chaos by dumping it all into a to-do list. Big tasks, little tasks, random things like “buy more coffee”—get it all down. You’ll feel more in control instantly. And there’s nothing more satisfying than checking items off as they get done.
Tackle the hard stuff when you’re at your best
Know your productive hours. If you’re a morning person, schedule your focus-heavy work then. If you peak in the afternoon, save your deep work for post-lunch. Don’t waste your high-energy hours on inbox cleaning or calendar syncing.
Try the Pomodoro technique
Set a timer: 25 minutes of focused work, 5-minute break. Repeat. It’s weirdly magical for getting out of a post-vacation fog and back into flow. Plus, knowing a break is coming makes it easier to start.
Silence that phone
Vacation may have made your phone a constant companion, but now it’s time for boundaries. Turn off notifications or silence your phone while you’re working. Even 30 distraction-free minutes can make a huge dent in your to-do list. If you have children or elderly parents, leave an emergency number that they can call if you’re not answering your cell. Then you can ignore the parent WhatsApp group of every kid’s class and the neighborhood discussions that don’t require your immediate attention, until you’ve finished important tasks.
Plan smarter for next time
Future you would like to avoid this exact feeling. So next time, do yourself a favor:
- Leave your workspace tidy before you leave, with no incomplete tasks that must be done immediately
- Write yourself a “start here” note for when you return
- Create an out of office automatic reply that tells people you’re coming back a day later than you actually are
Getting back into routine after vacation is hard—but totally doable. Don’t try to fix everything in one day. Just take one step, then another, and slowly edge your way back into normal life (with maybe a few lingering vacation vibes for good measure).
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