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What We Can Learn From The Return-to-Work Blues
Our Brains Can Be So Rude
Hi friend,
Last week, we talked about taking a break, before you needed it, in whatever way you could make it happen. (If you missed it, you can read that issue here.)
So how did it go?
Coming back to work after a break can make it feel like you never actually had a break. The alarm goes off, and before your feet hit the floor, the workday is already winning.
That’s not a you problem. It’s biology.
Your brain returns to its normal baseline fast after something good, like a break, wears off. Scientists call it hedonic adaptation. I call it rude.
But here’s what nobody says enough:
The break doesn’t have to be over just because you went back to work.
Positive psychology calls it savoring. It’s how you stretch the good vibes instead of letting it evaporate the second your inbox loads.
And there’s also transition rituals. Small intentional acts that help your brain shift gears instead of getting slammed into reverse.
We’re using both this week.
Because you earned that break. You’re not done with it yet.
🔥Tiny Rebellion
Savor the Good
Yes, that’s the real term. Positive psychology calls it savoring.
Pick one or two strategies below before the work week starts back to its usual crazy, to savor the goodness from your break, even if it was just an amazing weekend.
Name what you’re bringing back. A feeling. A pace. A boundary. One thing you’re not ready to let go of yet. Write it somewhere you’ll see it.
Protect your first hour. Block your calendar if you can. No meetings, no inbox. Give yourself a runway.
Put a reminder where you can see it. A photo. A sticky note. Change your laptop background. Something that pulls you back to how you felt during your break.
Do a brain dump. Everything you’re afraid you forgot goes on paper. Get it out of your head so your nervous system can relax.
Plan your next break. Even something small. Just having it on the calendar helps more than you think. (We talked about that last week. If you missed it, you can read it here.)
💡 Why This Helps
Unfortunately, brains aren’t built to hold onto good feelings forever.
They are built to adapt. Great for surviving hard things. Annoying when you had a really good Saturday and want to stay THERE mentally.
Savoring is all about noticing and naming the good on purpose so it lasts longer.
Transition rituals like these also tell your brain, “We’re shifting now,” so coming back doesn’t feel like whiplash.
Take that with you this week.
📝Something To Save
We made you a phone-friendly reminder to help you savor the good and choose a softer landing.
Because restore > repair, especially after a well-deserved break.
👉 Click HERE to download.
(It will sneak into your downloads folder.)
#️⃣ Give Our New Social Channel A Follow
We just launched our Instagram channel. It would be great to see you there!
💌 Hit Reply
What’s making it back to your desk from your vacation, weekend, or break?
We read and reply to every note.
When you come back from a break, make sure to bring the good with you, so you can savor it just a little longer.
✨See you next week,
Sara Reiner, Founder
P.S. If you haven’t had a break yet, save this anyway. Your moment is coming. 💖
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