How to Successfully Transition Back to Work After the Holidays

There’s always that moment in late December or early January when you look around and think, “How on earth am I supposed to become a functioning professional again?”

If you’re navigating the January scaries…same. You’re in good company.

In our house, we just spent the last week lounging, traveling, bouncing between family gatherings, and catering to the every need of a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. My brain is the farthest thing from being “professional” right now. The only deadlines I’ve had to manage lately are snack refills and which stuffed animal absolutely must be located before bedtime.

But as this holiday season winds down and Monday rolls around… reality returns. School is back in session. Work goes back to full capacity. Your inbox wakes up. Your team needs direction again. And there’s a moment where you sit up, take a breath, and wonder: Am I ready for this?

If that’s you, keep reading. Consider this your gentle transition back into being the hardworking, thoughtful professional you are (minus the pressure to overhaul your life on January 1st).

New Year’s energy can be exciting, but it often sneaks in with unrealistic expectations. There’s an unspoken pressure to create new habits, new goals, new systems, new everything. Personally, I’ve found that the most sustainable way to start the year isn’t through big declarations, it's actually through mindful, doable intentions. 

Set small goals

For example, instead of a hefty New Years resolution, set small goals. Goals such as:

• This week, I’m going to go for three walks.

• This week, I’m going to try one new recipe.

• By the end of January, i’m going to be completely caught up on my inbox

That’s it. No vision board necessary. No reinvention of self. Just small habits that build momentum without overwhelming you.

While you ease back into routines at home, your work routine deserves the same gentleness. 

Schedule specific time to get organized

One of the best things you can do in the first week back is intentionally schedule time on your calendar to get organized. Don't leave it to chance. Block real, protected time to go through emails that still need action from last year, archive the ones that don’t, and start building a manageable to-do list.

Set clear expectations (you and your coworkers will thank you for it)

And because everyone around you is also playing catch-up, setting clear expectations now will save both you and your colleagues unnecessary stress. Communication early in the year only sets you up for further success when sh*t hits the fan (aka life gets too busy). 

If you need help with what those first-week-back emails should sound like, here are a few scripts you can copy and paste directly:

Template 1: Returning to an email thread
“Hey xx, thanks for your patience as I get back into the swing of things here at work. How did the end of the year look for you?”

Template 2: Confirming receipt while you get organized
“Hi xx, confirming receipt of this email. I am currently working on getting organized for the year and will be able to action on this by [insert date].”

Template 3: Setting expectations with colleagues or stakeholders
“Hi team, as we’re kicking off the new year, I’m working through outstanding items from December. If anything on your side needs urgent attention, let me know—otherwise, I’ll follow up with updates by [insert date].”

These kinds of messages do more than acknowledge the email. These simple email scripts set tone, expectation, and pace for the work ahead. Your future self will thank you.

Easing back into your professional identity after the holidays is a weird skill all adults from college age and beyond need to figure out how to navigate. It requires presence, clarity, and realistic goals that meet you where you’re at. 

Remember, January is simply your warm up lap. 

Be patient with yourself, communicate proactively, and create a little structure to support your transition. The professionalism will come back. The rhythm will come back. The energy will come back.

And I’ll be right here cheering you on as you step into a new year, at your own pace, with intention and confidence. Let’s do this, together.