Returning from a vacation often feels bittersweet. On one hand, you’re refreshed from your time off, but on the other, the sight of a full inbox and a long to-do list can zap that post-vacation glow in seconds. If you’re struggling to regain your rhythm and tackle your tasks, know that you’re not alone. Post-vacation slumps happen to the best of us, but with a little strategy and the right mindset, you can ease back into work without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Start by Easing Into Work

It’s tempting to try to tackle everything at once to “catch up,” but overwhelming yourself right out of the gate can lead to burnout. Instead, approach your first day or two back at work as a transition period.

How to ease back in:

  • Start with a lighter day: If possible, avoid scheduling back-to-back meetings or major deadlines right after your vacation. Use your first day to recalibrate instead.
  • Give yourself grace: Accept that you won’t accomplish everything immediately, and that’s okay. Your focus and pace will improve as you adjust.
  • Start small: Complete a few easy, quick tasks to create a sense of progress and momentum. For example, respond to simple emails or organize your workspace.

Taking it slow helps you ease out of vacation mode without feeling completely overwhelmed.

2. Prioritize Your Workload

When you’re dealing with a mountain of tasks, having a system to prioritize is key. Not every task is urgent, and trying to do everything at once will only make things harder.

Steps to prioritize effectively:

  • Do a brain dump: Spend 10-15 minutes writing down everything you need to do. Getting it out of your head helps reduce mental clutter.
  • Sort by urgency vs. importance: Use a system like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks into urgent/important, important/not urgent, etc.
  • Handle top priorities first: Focus on tasks with immediate deadlines or those that impact others if delayed.

By tackling the most critical items first, you’ll gain clarity and reduce the feeling of being pulled in different directions.

3. Tame Your Inbox

A post-vacation inbox can feel intimidating, but tackling it methodically makes it much more manageable.

Tips to declutter your inbox:

  • Do a rapid skim first: Scan for high-priority emails from key contacts or about time-sensitive projects. Flag these for immediate attention.
  • Batch handle the rest: Dedicate specific blocks of time to handle emails in chunks instead of responding one by one.
  • Use filters: Move low-priority emails (e.g., newsletters or promotions) to a separate folder to deal with later.

Clearing your inbox may take time, but starting with high-impact messages allows you to focus on pressing tasks without drowning in email.

4. Break Down Big Projects

Jumping straight into large, complex projects after time off can feel overwhelming. Breaking these down into smaller, actionable pieces makes them less intimidating.

How to approach big tasks:

  • Identify key milestones: Divide the project into logical steps or phases.
  • Set micro-goals: Assign yourself small, realistic goals to complete each day. For example, outline the project on Day 1 instead of attempting to complete it all at once.
  • Celebrate progress: Acknowledge each step you complete to keep yourself motivated.

Taking on projects bit by bit allows you to make steady progress without feeling paralyzed by the sheer scope of the work.

5. Recreate Your Vacation Mindset

One of the best gifts a vacation gives us is a reset for our mental and emotional health. Just because you’re back at work doesn’t mean you can’t hold onto those benefits.

How to keep the good vibes going:

  • Add moments of joy to your day: Bring back that vacation glow by planning small things you look forward to, like a coffee break outdoors or your favorite playlist while working.
  • Say no to unnecessary stress: Avoid overloading your calendar. Leave room to plan and think, so you’re not jumping from task to task.
  • Pace yourself: Just like on vacation, balance productivity with rest. Use breaks to recharge and keep your energy steady throughout the day.

Staying connected to the positive feelings your vacation brought can help you handle work pressures more calmly and creatively.

6. Use Tools to Stay on Track

After a break, staying organized is critical to avoid getting sidetracked or feeling scattered. Utilize tools to bring structure to your day.

Recommended tools and strategies:

  • To-do list apps: Manage and prioritize tasks with apps like Todoist, Trello, or Notion.
  • Calendar blockers: Use your calendar to schedule focused work blocks, reducing time spent on nonessential activities.
  • Reminders: Set alerts for important tasks so you don’t have to rely on memory alone.

These tools can help you stay focused and ensure nothing slips through the cracks as you readjust to work life.

7. Be Kind to Yourself

Lastly, don’t forget to cut yourself some slack. Transitioning back into work after a break takes time, and it’s completely normal to feel a little sluggish at first.

Ways to practice kindness to yourself:

  • Avoid negative self-talk: Instead of beating yourself up for not getting “enough” done, remind yourself that adjusting is part of the process.
  • Acknowledge what you do accomplish: Celebrate even the small wins. Each task completed gets you closer to feeling fully back on track.
  • Ask for help if needed: There’s no shame in seeking support or delegating tasks to coworkers while you find your footing.

Being patient and kind to yourself not only reduces stress but also creates the mental space you need to regain your flow.