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Channel that holiday feeling

Lili Radloff thinks all those “hold on to the holiday” tips are likely to get you fired.

The holidays are over again. At least for me they are. And I’m not ashamed to say that I am really struggling not to sob loudly at my desk. I’m talking full on weeping, with snot and everything.

Because it doesn’t matter how much I like my job, it’s just that, like any normal, well adjusted person, I like being on holiday more.

And no matter how many “hold on to that feeling” articles you've read, chances are you’ve already forgotten what it feels like to wake up at 11 o clock in the morning in a tangle of sheets and with a Tipo Tinto hangover. Or lack thereof really, because it’s a scientifically proven fact that people don’t get hangovers on holiday.

I also bet your tan is fading faster than whatever holiday romance you had going. And the sand in your shoes is once again only a sometimes enjoyable, sometimes annoying, (depending on your mood) Dido song.

So, what can you do about it? Not a lot, I’m sad to say. Because if you start taking up afternoon naps and reading at work, going surfing/swimming when the sea looks good and having a drink whenever the fancy strikes you, you will probably get fired.

That said, there are some “holiday habits” you can incorporate in your day to day life to stop you from going nuts.

So if you’re not doing it already, add the following to your non-vacationing life:

1) Play a game at least once a week. Chess, cards, beach bats, soccer, board games, Twister, tennis, etc. This will get your mind off work and your body out of the gym.

2) Have more sex. And have it at odd times. Or have odd sex at more times. Or oh… you get the picture.

3) Read escapist fiction between your “real” books. Adding a bit of sci-fi, romance, comedy or travel books to your Houellebecq and McCarthy collection isn't shameful. 

4) Part of the fun of a holiday is the looking forward to it. Plan mini holidays for the rest of the year and look forward to them. 

5) Also, have something non-holiday-ish to look forward to every week. Watch an old favourite movie, drink champagne in the bath, go watch a new band, organise a surprise picnic on your lawn for your kids and just do stuff that you wouldn’t normally do on a week night.

I don’t know if these ideas will work – I’m going to try it myself over the next couple of weeks to see if it helps and I'll keep you posted. I’d be happy to get feedback if you have any other plans. Until then, I’ll be the girl crying at my desk.

Do you have any ideas on how to add some holiday flavour to your work days? Tell us in the box below... 

Follow me on Twitter @liliradloff

 

Read more on: at work  |  holidays
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Michelle 1/6/2010 9:01:08 AM
I'll bring the tissues and chocolate...
Women24 Ed 1/6/2010 9:32:17 AM
Love this, Lil. I know as your editor I should have read it before it went live... but I was too busy weeping in the loo.
Signlanguage 1/6/2010 10:33:59 AM
Gonna try the sex thing next week maybe. What is kind of working for me now is getting an hour earlier and doing something nice - going for a walk, or sitting and drinking tea and reading. It's like waking up to a life, not a job. Nice story Lili.
Annie S 1/6/2010 11:35:48 AM
Lili although I don’t endorse over indulgence in terms of liquor I see nothing wrong with a glass or two. Unfortunately if you suffer from a hangover you had too much. Your advice is interesting and I like the no 4 in your Article: Planning mini-holidays. People don’t realize how important this is. Even a small breakaway to a close by guest farm is SO nice and it really gives you something to look forward to. My own year will be as follows: 1) Train trip to the fairest Cape in March; 2) Visit to the Kruger Park in July; 3) Bus tour in September and then for the big one; 4) Flying to China in December.

Another thing that you can do is to show your friends & relatives the lovely holiday pictures that you have taken. I ALWAYS tell my friends to come over to my house where I cook an appetizing dinner (special local cuisine from the country/place that I’ve visited) for them and tell them all my amazing holiday stories. The people are always surprised by the interesting places that I get to visit all over the world. Part of the fun is to share this with your friends and relive the moment so that the holiday feeling will linger just a little bit longer.
Voxie 1/11/2010 10:16:14 AM
As I am someone who actually knows what Tipo tinto is and the lovely non-hangovery mornings it supplies - I feel for you. Best advice, invite friends over this weekend, drink R & R by the pool Mozambiquean style and DON"T please don't show them your holiday pics. Don't worry in two weeks time we will all be back to our normal rat-racy selves and it will all be good.
Caro 1/12/2010 1:26:34 PM
Eat chocolate and don't go to gym.. hang on, I feel a tear coming...
CHRIS 1/13/2010 3:49:53 PM
An idea to add a holiday flavour to your work day: Place your happy holiday photos on your computer as wallpapers or screensaver, when things get tough, go to a 'happy place'.Hope this helps!
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