
From Stretchy Pants to Spreadsheets: Rebooting Your Life After the Holidays
Welcome back, friend. The holidays (or vacations) are over, and so is your brief relationship with relaxation and spontaneous joy. But take heart- this annual ritual of re-entry doesn’t have to crush your spirit or your inbox. With the right approach (and a lot of coffee), you can transition from “existential whiplash” to actual productivity.
The Great Reboot
Coming back to work after time off is like reopening 57 Chrome tabs in your brain and waiting for them all to reload at once. It’s messy. It’s slow. And someone always sends a “quick follow-up” email before you’ve even found your desk chair again.
Start with the basics:
Ease into it. Day one should be a soft launch. Check your email with caution- like disarming a bomb- and focus only on what’s time-sensitive.
Rebuild your routine. Whether it’s morning gym time or a coffee ritual, small structures create momentum. Think of it as emotional scaffolding.
Catch up socially. Reconnect with coworkers. Some of your best re-entry energy will come from laughing about your mutual denial that vacation ever ended.
The Reality Check (a.k.a. The Struggle Is Real)
Even for the most disciplined among us, the first week back is deceptively tough. Here are the most common hurdles:
The Identity Crisis: You spent your break being a person who reads books, cooks meals, and touches grass. Now you’re back to being a person who sorts PDFs and attends Zooms that could’ve been Google Docs. That whiplash is real.
The Productivity Mirage: Guilt tells you to “crush it” on day one. Don’t fall for it. You’re not behind- you’re human. Burnout doesn’t make a good souvenir.
The Post-Holiday (or vacation) Funk: Your brain ran on cookies, sleep, and serotonin. Now it’s caffeine and deadlines. Mood dips happen- just don’t make permanent decisions in a temporary fog.
The good news? It’s temporary. You’ll be back in rhythm long before you remember all those neglected New Year’s resolutions.
Strategies That Actually Work
When motivation feels like a distant cousin, lean on systems instead:
Do a mini reset. Clean your workspace. Delete three old emails. Small order restores big calm.
Plan micro-goals. Think “complete one meaningful task before lunch” instead of “reinvent myself by Wednesday.” If a task takes under three minutes to complete, do it right away.
Channel humor as medicine. If you drop your coffee, call it a “symbolic cleansing of 2025’s energy.”
Schedule small rewards. Coffee walks, playlists, or pretending your to-do list is a competition show.
Build in exercise. Stretch at your desk, take a 'walking' meeting, strut right past the elevator and go for those stairs.
Don't forget lunch. Pack (or order) something you'll actually look forward to enjoying- and stay hydrated all day.
You’d be surprised how much progress comes from tiny wins repeated daily.
The Reframe
Instead of dreading the post-holiday slump, consider it a rare opportunity for reflection: How do you want the next stretch of the year to feel? More calm? More purpose? More reasonable use of the “mark all as read” button?
Rebooting isn’t just about returning to work- it’s about re-aligning your effort with what actually matters. Sometimes that’s your mission. Sometimes that’s remembering to log off at a decent hour.
The Final Pep Talk
Here’s your permission slip: you are absolutely allowed to roll your eyes at the first all-staff meeting of the year and still show up like a pro. You can laugh, recalibrate, and even stumble through the week- it still counts as progress. The world needs your perspective, even if you’re temporarily powered by espresso and spite.
So take that deep breath, open that inbox, and start where you are. The new year isn’t asking for your perfection- it’s asking for your presence. And you’ve got that part handled.
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ABOUT THE ROLE The Vermont Department of Corrections is seeking Correctional Officers for the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport. This role blends security work, human services, and leadership opportunities within a system focused on human change. Entry-level officers undergo intensive training to prepare for a career in corrections. The facility utilizes an innovative 2-2-3 schedule to promote work-life balance, offering predictable rotations, regular periods of rest, and fewer total workdays per year compared to traditional schedules. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Perform security duties and supervise inmates within the correctional facility - Provide human services and support inmate rehabilitation efforts - Transport and supervise inmates outside the facility as required - Respond to high-stress situations and potential physical threats - Participate in emergency duty and maintain safe staffing levels through overtime - Attend and pass annual mandated training - Adhere to customer service, holistic service, strength-based relationships, and results-oriented practices MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Option 1: - High school graduation or equivalent AND two (2) or more years of full-time work experience Option 2: - One (1) or more years of college-level coursework AND one (1) or more years of full-time work experience Option 3: - Two (2) or more years of college-level coursework Licensure/Physical Requirements: - Valid motor vehicle operator's license - Adequate physical condition to perform essential functions, including donning a self-contained breathing apparatus and performing evacuation/search and rescue procedures - Must pass medical evaluation for respirator use per OSHA standards PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience working in a correctional setting - Military experience SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as required for safe staffing - Must pass comprehensive background investigations (criminal record, DMV, adult/child abuse registry) - Felony convictions require a waiver from the Commissioner of Corrections - Misdemeanor convictions within the past five years requiring supervision or sanctions make candidates ineligible without review - Must comply with PREA requirements regarding disclosure of sexual abuse allegations or substantiated incidents - High-stress environment with potential for physical assault or injury SELECTION PROCESS - Applications must be submitted online; resumes via email are not accepted - Background checks and PREA compliance checks will be conducted - Multiple positions may be filled from this posting - Recruitment is ongoing; start dates depend on candidate availability and training slots HOW TO APPLY Application Method: Online only Job Requisition Number: 51777 Application Deadline: Continuous (Open until filled) For More Information: - Contact: Laurie Eastman - Email: Laurie.Eastman@vermont.gov Note: Candidates with felony convictions or recent misdemeanor sanctions must submit a waiver application directly to the hiring manager. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Location: Newport, Vermont, US (Northern State Correctional Facility) - Department: Corrections - Position Type: Permanent - Schedule Type: Full Time - Work Schedule: 2-2-3 Rotation (Two days on, two days off, three days on, two days off) - Shifts: 12-hour shifts (6am-6pm or 6pm-6am), assigned by seniority and facility needs - Training: 1 week observation, 6 weeks at Vermont Correctional Academy, 80 hours onsite supervised training - Benefits Package: Includes 80% state-paid medical premium, free dental plan, 12 paid holidays, generous leave plan, State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance, defined benefit pension plan, 457(b) plan, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, low-cost life insurance, wellness program, and eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness - Equal Opportunity Employer: The State of Vermont encourages applications from women, people of color, bilingual/bicultural individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, and people with disabilities
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