Lifestyle

Back To Work Blues

Your alarm rings. Rise and shine, sweetheart. It’s the New Year. Okay, it has been for a while, but with the shiny and exciting new year comes another year of, dare we say it? Work. No more days lounging in your pyjamas, watching Tali’s Wedding Diary (ayyy) and browsing our deals online before heading off to the beach.

The first day back at work can be one of the toughest days of the year. Okay, we acknowledge that this is a total first world problem but bear with us. White sand, blue beaches and sunny skies have just been swapped with desks piled with all of last years I’ll-do-those-next-year sticky notes. Let’s not even mention that damned aircon blasting as if it’s trying to freeze the very last bit of soul we have.

Welcome back to the daily grind. 

 

 

Although to your manager you may look intensely focused on your computer screen, we know you’re actually daydreaming about your recent trip over the festive break. You are not alone. This post-vacation hangover is more common than you may think. And although doctors don’t have an official name for this, the Twitterverse calls it the ‘back to work blues’. It’s real. Search it!

From the time when most companies break until they reopen, so much happens. There’s Christmas, there’s New Years, and there’s everything in between. We know you know what we’re talking about. Let’s call it an understanding. Overeating and over partying combined with little to no sleep all sets the stage for your post-holiday slump.

Whether you were voted employee of the month thrice in a row or you’re one who does the bare minimum, the back to work blues hits us all. If you’re lucky, you’ve been out of the office for over two weeks – you’ve totally forgotten what it’s like to sit at that paper piled desk. Like we said before, the end of a joyous festive period plus irregular sleep patterns and binge eating can throw our body clocks out completely #QuickMaths.

Returning to normal routines of early nights and waking up at the crack of dawn has been dubbed ‘social jet lag’. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, insomnia, scattered concentration, general fatigue, feeling sluggish, not remembering about your meeting in 10 minutes (Confession: We made that last one up). Cue self-diagnosis

Let’s talk about some of the worst things about our #backtoworkblues

1. Our email inbox is going on for like… ever

We turned our backs for two, three weeks at most and this is how we’re repaid: an inbox filled with complicated requests and urgent reminders. According to google, an average of 269 billion emails were sent last year (reminder, that means 2017. We’re in 2018 now. You’re welcome) and apparently they were all sent while you were away, and you were cc’d in every single one. 

2. Jetlag

We’ve spoken about social jet lag. But what about actual jetlag? We needed to make the most of our annual leave, but perhaps stretching our holidays to the very last minute wasn’t such a great idea after all. Getting back only a few hours ago and now sitting at your desk is a bit confusing for your body. Talking about your body, it may be at your desk but your mind is still in a different time zone and as for that mouth of yours, is it even capable of speech?

 

 

3. Why is everyone looking at me?

Getting pulled into a meeting on your first day back and being expected to answer to those above you. Is this a meeting or is it one of those nightmarish improvised plays that we weren’t given a heads up about? Wait… why are there graphs? Is this a presentation? 

4. Work breakfast 

Holiday mode meant dreamy breakfast spreads and you’ve realised you may actually be a morning person after all. Now you’re back at work and probably eating jungle oats or microwaved eggs while simultaneously scrolling through your overflowing mailbox. 

5. Wearing socks

Perhaps ‘wearing socks’ doesn’t sound like a problem offhand. But think about it. For the past few weeks you’ve been dressing down and loving it. Shorts, dresses and short dresses. And now, socks. That’s all we have to say on the topic. 

 

Before you start feeling 100 percent sorry for yourself and throw THE pity party of the year, keep in mind that you will most likely display some strengths along with weaknesses during your first few days back at work. That takes us to the two types of people you could easily be on your first day back at work.

1. Those who start slow

Slow and steady wins the race. We know this. But be careful not to use the post-festive break as an excuse to slack and use the famous “But I have a plan” line.  Be honest with yourself. Although your concentration levels may be low, make sure to channel the little you have into important tasks to get 2018 rolling. The trick is to ease back into your work. Jumping straight into cold water could land you a heart attack. If your routine is a healthy one, ease your way back in with confidence. If it hasn’t served you well last year, there’s always room for change. Give your routine a revamp and slowly find your feet. 

Tip: Set small goals this year to feel regular sense of accomplishment. 

 

2. Those who hit the ground running

Don’t overdo it too soon. Pace yourself. Of course there’s that one office employee who is at work at 6am straight after their 5am gym session, but that’s them. We’re not sure what their momma fed them, but we’re fine just the way we are. The stress of opening a gazillion work emails as opposed to the joy and freedom you had just a hot second ago can be hard on your emotional well-being.

 

Most of the time ‘multitasking’ is an illusion. You think you are multitasking, but in reality, you are actually wasting time switching from one task to another. – Bosco Tjan
  

Tip: Keep a checklist. Make a to-do list so you have an action plan from which to work. Arranging your tasks for maximum productivity helps make your workweek bearable. One task checked at a time could see you curing your back to work blues sooner than you’d thought possible.

 

 

Now that that’s out of the way, it’s time for the million dollar question. What should you wear? 

For Him

As more companies adopt more business casual dress codes, summer office styling can accommodate a more personal sartorial flare. Nautical themes are a perennial summer favourite and a navy blue blazer is never out of place in an office. Break the traditional blue and white colour combo with a pop of red for an extra personal touch. 

 

 

 

If you’re ready to ditch the tie this summer, a mandarin collar shirt is a great way to go about it. You can’t be expected to wear a tie when there isn’t an actual collar to accommodate it. Logic for the win! To keep the look polished opt for super slick accessories

 

 

 

The Oxford buttoned shirt and chino combination has long been an office staple. For this summer ditch the traditional khakis and opt for some colour when choosing your chinos, but stay away from more saturated or primary colours. You are at the office after all. 

  

 

 

 

 

If you’ve invested in summer’s favourite patterned shirts, don’t restrict them to purely weekend-wear. While not all patterned shirts can be office appropriate (leave the five-colour, tropical print Hawaiian at home), a one or two colour print on a neutral background would work great. The shirt will be the focal point of this look so be sure to keep everything else clean-cut and polished so as not to compete with it. 

 

 

 

 

If you’re going to be pushing your company’s business casual boundaries by wearing shorts, make sure they’re a pair of tailored ones. Any elastic, drawstrings or velcro at the waist of your shorts will disqualify them as office appropriate immediately. Because a pair of shorts , however tailored it may be, is a very casual piece of clothing. Complement it with pieces that are considered more traditional business attire; a suit jacket, Oxford buttoned shirt and leather loafers would do nicely. 

 

 

 

 

For Her

Ease back into work mode with a look that’s effortlessly chic. A printed shift dress is a great wardrobe staple, especially in the summer. Accessorize your shift with a pair of block-heeled sandals and jewellery with gold and/ or pearl accents. 

 

 

The pussy-bow blouse might have a bit of a dowdy nine-to-five reputation, but that just means it’s time to give it a much deserved rebirth. Style the pussy-bow with strong statement pieces for a look that is thoroughly modern but with a slick retro sensibility. 

 

 

Combat the first mid-week slump of the new year by making a strong sartorial choice. A red and black colour combination is guaranteed to make a powerful statement, and signals that the wearer is confident, self-assured and in no way to be toyed with. 

 

 

The wrap dress should be considered a must-have for any closet. They’re incredibly versatile, making them perfect for the office and after-hours, all while suiting a variety of body shapes. The wrap dress has quite a prim-and-proper reputation, so to update it simply complement it by accessorising with pieces that have an interesting shape and/ or texture. 

 

 

Even though a blazer doesn’t sound like the most exciting fashion purchase you’ll ever make, a great blazer will be the sartorial investment that will continue to pay dividends. Flared slacks, a block-heel sandal and fringe accessories are a great way to update a classic wardrobe staple. 

 

 

 

There you have it. The perfect look for your first day back and a few tips to keep you sane. Take advantage of the break in your routine and start new office habits. Even if it is something small like being friendlier to random co-workers or getting up to stretch every now and then, it helps.

 

Before you close this tab, we have the most important bit of information we’ve saved right for last. And that is, do not hit the snooze button.  

 

 

 

 

 

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