December and the beginning of January bring a lot of transitions with their holidays. Most schools are closed for at least a week, many people take vacations from their jobs, and New Year’s Eve and Day bring the transition of leaving an old year and beginning a new one. However, other transitions can be difficult, too. Such as going back to school or work. For some people, these are more emotionally difficult than they are for others.
Why are transitions hard?
Transitions can be hard for a variety of reasons. One big one, especially when it comes to vacations, is needing to go back to our normal routines. This can be even harder if the vacation was longer than a week. There’s a lot about this kind of transition that can be hard on people. Having to wake up earlier, having less time for activities we enjoy, and maybe returning to a situation that really does make us unhappy.
Why do I feel sad going back to my routine?
There’s a lot of reasons, as mentioned. One of the biggest is going back to a place we’re unhappy in. For example, a job that is very unfulfilling or maybe even toxic or maybe a bad situation at school. Going from being able to ignore these things and the feelings they bring makes the subsequent transition back even harder. A lot of that can bring on feelings of sadness or anger.
It’s normal to not want to go back to a place that makes us unhappy. Being sad about being somewhere that brings up negative emotions for us is something that would be expected.
What can I do about it?
Sometimes, there are changes we can make at work or school that can make things easier for us. But sometimes there aren’t. That’s usually why transitions back to these places can be so hard. We usually know when we can or can’t make changes to something that makes us unhappy. If work is making you unhappy, there’s a big difference between it being because it’s unfulfilling and it being a toxic work environment. If you’re experiencing harassment, unfair treatment, or discrimination, then it’s not as simple as just “getting over it” when it comes to the transition back to work. And it’s also not as simple as just getting a new job. Sometimes, leaving our jobs just isn’t an option, at least not immediately.
If this sadness or anger is getting in the way of being able to enjoy your normal activities or if it’s interfering with your day-to-day, it may be a good idea to speak to someone. A therapist, a friend or family member, or another trusted individual can be more helpful than you think. Especially with adjusting to these transitions back to our normal routines.
