Back in the swing of things

Back to life, back to reality. These are actually the lyrics of a famous ‘90s song I used to hear as kid, but always seem to remember each time January rolls around. Every December as the holidays near I always get excited and begin anticipating them. It’s more than just the break from work and a chance to rest, but also the joy of the season, the family and friends coming in, the endless holiday parties, the shopping, the good times, and basically the merriment that lasts throughout the month until after the new year.

And then, nothing, or better yet — back to life, back to reality. That’s how I always feel when the holidays end and we begin packing away the Christmas decorations and cleaning up the tinsel. It’s a new start and a brand new year but, at the same time, I always seem to end up dreading it just a little because I know that it’s back to work, back to working out, and back to regular stress, without fun parties and family get-togethers to look forward to.

I usually begin each New Year filled with both hope and trepidation. I end up looking back at the year that was and enjoying all the good times. I also pray and hope that the year ahead will be just as good and scared that it may not. People always say January (at least the beginning of it) is a dead month and for a while, I never understood that completely. I think this year, though, more than any, I truly know what that means.

Having had more responsibility on my shoulders throughout last year, especially right before the holidays, the Christmas break represented a much-need reprisal from the many things I had on my plate. I’m not complaining about work. Quite the contrary, as a matter of fact; I feel blessed about having a good job and finding fulfillment in my field. The fact remains, though, I was close to burning out and the holidays were the much-needed re-charge I so desperately needed.

As such, though, these holidays meant more to me than Christmases past since I was really in need of some time to rest and recuperate. So, when they ended I truly felt the whole “back to life, back to reality” syndrome. Once again, it was back to waking up early, sleeping early (when possible), and dealing with all the little emergencies and accidents that always pop up at work. It’s actually strange because although I was desperate to get more work this year and earn more and learn more at the same time, I was so dreading not being able to sleep until noon and plan fun outings with friends without worrying about getting to the office the next day.

I was kind of ambivalent about the start of the new year: on the one hand, so very excited about all the opportunities 2009 held; on the other hand, so sad about leaving those carefree holidays behind. But no one can stop time and eventually Jan. 5 rolled around, and it was back to work and the start of plans, resolutions and promises.

I normally begin drafting New Year’s resolutions the moment Christmas is over. This year, however, I was so pressed and stressed before the holidays, I refused to think of anything until after the vacation, fully enjoying over eight hours of sleep daily and not having to worry about a thing. I think I procrastinated making the resolutions because I knew the moment I made them I would have start making them come true, instead of trying to extend the holiday feeling.

But, now as the second week of the year is here, I am getting back on the horse. I have already had my taste of stress and work emergencies, but I am lucky enough to be doing what I love and working hard, and for that, I am grateful. I am pushing myself out of the vacation mindset and back into work mode. I am looking forward to doing even better than I did last year, working harder, breaking old records and streamlining everything in my life to be more efficient and all around better.

I am so excited about all the exciting changes and amazing work opportunities this year. I want to try new things, conquer new challenges, grab new opportunities and meet all of my resolutions and go above and beyond. To borrow a quote from one of my favorite television series characters — this year, whenever I start to feel tired, worried or harassed, I’ll stop being tired, worried or harassed and start being awesome instead.