by Delia Rusu | Featured Contributor
After reading the title of this post, you may be like: What? Recovering after vacation? What’s she talking about?
Yes, you heard me right… This post is about you going on vacation, having a wonderful time, relaxing and feeling just great being unplugged for over a week.
…And then coming back home to lots of things to do and the feeling that you need to do them all. Like you must absolutely do everything that you “missed” while you were on vacation.
Ever felt this way after coming from vacation or simply taking some time off to relax and recharge?
It happened to me as I have recently returned from a beautiful Caribbean vacation. I came back home to lots of emails to read, things to complete, comments to reply to on my blog, customer emails to respond to, social media updates to look at…
And the list could go on and on, just as long as we allow it to.
So listen up because I have just the tips for you to make this recovery smooth and painless.
Tip #1. Responding to emails
I know, there are tons of emails in your inbox.
Take a look and delete absolutely everything that’s coming from email subscriptions. Unless you’re really waiting for an important sale for a really cool program that you’ve wanted for so long.
But the ones that are just tips and information, you know, what’s been happening lately type of emails, please select them all and press Delete. Yes, you have my blessing to delete even the emails you got from me, if you’re a subscriber 🙂
Now go through the remaining emails and answer to any important ones.
Tip #2 Replying to blog comments
I know you are replying diligently to each and every comment you get on your blog. It’s the nice thing to do, right?
Well, after vacation though, just scan through blog comments and pick and choose the ones to reply to.
Maybe a short reply to questions from your readers. By the way, tip for you: it’s better if you create a blog post from a question rather than replying to just that single commenter.
Other than that, no need to reply to any of the other comments to say thank you. People have already forgotten or if they check for an answer, they mostly do the first few days, after which they go on with their life 🙂
Tip #3 Keeping up with social media updates
Oh, so much you have missed from all the groups you’re in, your busy Facebook page, not to mention the Twitter stream, agh!
Stop right now, there’s help for you!
Scan quickly through the notifications to see if anything is really critical for you to reply. In groups, other people may have helped each other, so no need for you to overdo it.
Just start clean with today’s updates and don’t worry about how much you’ve missed.
There you have it, all set to start nice and fresh, all relaxed and recovered after your beautiful vacation!
Your turn!
Have you been on vacation yet and on what is your plan to recover when coming back?
I’d love your tips, so please comment and share if this post was useful!
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Delia Rusu – Guarding your blog genius at Blog Formatting – Toronto, Canada, and worldwide
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22 Replies to “How to Recover After Being on Vacation by @blogformatting”
Laura Nelson
I love this! Just let go and relax, and tend to the priorities, and leave the rest. Thank you Delia.
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
Thanks Laura, it’s mindset that we need to conquer to understand we don’t need to do everything 🙂
Elspeth
I’ve found that two weeks away from my business is too long but one week is just right. I’m able to set expectations so my client’s actually scold me if I check in with them, “Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation? Call me next Tuesday.”
Delia @ Blog Formatting
Haha, Elspeth! I always make sure I go in a place where Internet is not readily available. And I don’t usually carry any electronics with me just to make sure I stay unplugged 🙂
Clara @NotreCharme
Actually, for me this is not the right time of the year for vacation, however I am really longing for it! Yes, I know the feeling of coming back and find yourself overwhelmed by emails etc… I guess I will follow your tips and I will for sure delete some mails without feeling guilty!!
Delia @ Blog Formatting
Sounds like you need a vacation, Clara! Hope you’re having a great one when you can take it 🙂
Amanda Pickett
Love your tip about turning a commenter’s question into a blog post, I’ll have to give that a shot. Thanks for sharing these great ideas!
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
My pleasure Amanda. I’ve used that tip a number of times and it works great!
Lisa
I have been on vacation this last week and will return to the real world next week. I will be scanning my emails and prioritizing them. Great post Delia!
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
Hope you had an amazing vacation, Lisa and I’m happy these tips help!
Lisa Mallis
Great post, Delia! Thanks for the tips. My favorite “re-entry” tip is to leave the day after we return completely open for “catch-up”. PLUS – we don’t tell anyone we are back! This gives us the opportunity to go to the grocery store, sort through mail, mow the lawn, answer emails, etc.
I also leave the first “work day” completely unscheduled. This way I can recover from any travel lag challenges, reassess my priorities (often being on vacation has cleared my head a bit) and start off strong!
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
Excellent tips you added, Lisa! We sometimes overcommit ourselves and not let enough time to ease in after coming back from vacation. It’s good to take it slow so we can maintain the pace.
Dawn Teresa
I’ve already thought about this and worried about it. How did you know? LOL Except, my thought was, “How do I keep up with my blog WHILE on vacation?” Probably not such a great idea.
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
Dawn, you can definitely write up posts in advance and schedule them if you want. Or you can just take a break and come all energized and happy to start all over after vacation 🙂
Kristina
Delia I am on vacation right now and you have just relieved me of the stress I was feeling about staying on top of everything. Thank you.
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
That’s just great, Kristina! Enjoy your wonderful time and don’t worry about your full plate when you are back 🙂
Amy White
Ah, “re-entry” can be tough! I’ve often said that I need a vacation after my vacation. Having a plan is key! Thanks for sharing!
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
Thanks Amy, yes, having a plan and learning to let go of the need to catch up is really helpful 🙂
Helena Bowers
Thanks Delia! I so needed this, and I didn’t even go on vacation. I dog-sat for some friends for a few days, and it feels like I’ve been out of touch for a month! 🙂
Delia Rusu[ Post Author ]
Yes Helena, even after 3 days you can feel that you missed all the hustle and bustle 🙂 Thanks for the comment and hope you’ll get your real vacation soon!
Judy Yaron PhD
Definitely sensible way to go about it, Delia. And congrats on the post 🙂 I would add one thing: Remember! Some of those people who left you comments are probably enjoying their vacation right now … HUGS <3
Delia @ Blog Formatting
Thanks so much for the comment, Judy! You’re so right other people are probably taking time off and enjoying themselves 🙂
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