It’s the first workday of the year, and I’m curious, did you all go to work today? I did, even though the energy felt a little, unusual. Some of my colleagues are still on leave, probably trying to maximize the holiday mood by extending their time off. Honestly, I can’t blame them. The idea of squeezing out one more day of rest feels tempting, especially when you’re not fully ready to switch your brain back to “work mode.”
I can’t even remember the last time I extended my leave just for the sake of it. Most of the time, I’m the type who returns the very next day after a holiday, like a routine I follow without thinking. But today made me wonder if being too consistent can quietly turn into monotony. Maybe it’s healthy to break the pattern once in a while, just to remind yourself that you still have choices.
Walking into the office this morning felt slightly awkward because the team wasn’t complete. The ones who were present were quieter than usual too, like we were all still half in holiday mode. No loud conversations, no rush, no dramatic start. We just took it easy and focused on small tasks, and I think that’s perfectly fine for day one.
As John Steinbeck said, “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” Sometimes the best way to restart is gently, not forcefully.
How about you, do you prefer jumping back in at full speed, or easing into the year slowly?
Link to the source of the image.