8 days

[LiveWell]

I recently returned to work after a lovely 4 week vacation. DH and I took time off at the same time. We traveled, caught up with friends, caught up on a year's worth of back burner chores, etc... Now I'm back to work and I'm surprised that I'm not more energized. It only took 8 days and already I feel bored and ready to start planning my next vacation Does anyone have some good advice for mustering enthusiasm?

-LiveWell

 

[Meadbh]

1. Retire
2. Plan short breaks, for example long weekends
3. Retire
4. Retire

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I had a hard time spinning back up after my 3 month sabbatical.

You might try focusing on some of the petty politics, small annoyances or people that bug you.

If that doesnt work, catch up on your expense and status reports.

Oddly, i felt a small shudder go up my spine when I wrote that last sentence...

 

[maddythebeagle]

Work on your excel spreadsheet that everyone seems to have around here....I think the long breaks are actually not so good unless you are on the fence...I did one at the end of last year and felt about the same as you....

Anybody see the HBO tv show "The Wire"...pretty good show with interesting spin on office politics....one of the characters on the show was screwed over and sent to a dead end job and ended up making specialty doll house furniture at his desk for resale....so maybe a hobby

 

[brewer12345]

Bourbon seems to help. I like Evan Williams and Bulleit.

 

[bongo2]

I think you might be asking in the wrong forum. Try the "love my job and could never retire" forum instead.

 

[HFWR]

Up the meds...

 

[Calgary_Girl]

The first week back at work after a great vacation is the WORST. It just reminds me how only a week ago I was lounging by a pool, reading a great book and having some tropical alcoholic drink

It actually helps motivate me to get out of the rat race ASAP!!!

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Wait a minute, C-girl,

I thought yu wuz already retired?

Gypsy in Cowtown.

(See you at the Stampede Friday!)

 

[Meadbh]

No, CG's just a young-un!

 

[Andre1969]

I think the last truly long vacation I took was my honeymoon back in 1995! IIRC, it was about 2 1/2 weeks. I've taken off a week here and there, the last time being around Memorial Day, 2005. These days I just take off a day here, couple days there, etc. I've gotten to the point with my job that if I take a really long time off, I might just not come back!

Fortunately, I think some of the higher-ups at my company were starting to see this, so I just got a pretty nice raise at my last review (kicked in as of July 1). I hate to sound like a money whore, but the extra money does make the job more stomachable. Plus, I figure it'll get me to FI/RE that much quicker!

 

[Calgary_Girl]

Wait a minute, C-girl,

I thought yu wuz already retired?

Gypsy in Cowtown.

(See you at the Stampede Friday!)

I wish! Meadbh is right...I'm just a "young-un"...turned 35 last month (if you can call that young anymore ). I can already tell I'm getting older because I've had to cut my drinking at the Stampede by half! See ya at the Stampede pardner!

 

[Mudd]

I hate to sound like a money whore

Well if you're going to be some type of whore I guess money is the way to go . . . Although I could see myself being Twinkeewhore without much of a problem. What I wouldn't do for those little pieces of heaven. (I got into a huge debate once on whether one is to eat them holes up or holes down). See I can't concentrate on work right now, I need to plan a vacation !

Mudd

 

[NinjaPigeon]

I hate to sound like a money whore

Well if you're going to be some type of whore I guess money is the way to go . . . Although I could see myself being Twinkeewhore without much of a problem. What I wouldn't do for those little pieces of heaven. (I got into a huge debate once on whether one is to eat them holes up or holes down). See I can't concentrate on work right now, I need to plan a vacation !

Mudd

A "Twinkeewhore"?! I admit I'm rather fond of food myself, but I've never met anyone quite that passionate about a pastry

BTW, have you had the chance to try one of these? I saw a show on Las Vegas about them and was impressed. Apparently, they take the twinkie and deep fry it and add more stuff to it to make it the beacon of unhealthiness in the universe (right behind McDonald's fries). Though I must admit, I'd probably try one if I was in the neighborhood

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

the beacon of unhealthiness in the universe

I believe that would be this...yes, that is a bacon covered donut.

 

[bow-tie]

We try to deep fat fry everything at the Iowa State Fair - Twinkies, Oreos, sticks of butter, medicated stents.... you name it.