The festive lights are packed away, the last of the turkey is finished, and for millions across the United Kingdom, the reality of the return to work has hit. Monday, 5th January 2026, marks the first full day back for many after the extended Christmas and New Year break, and the transition from sofa to desk is proving challenging.
The Post-Holiday Slump is Real
After a fortnight of indulgence, relaxation, and disrupted routines, facing an overflowing email inbox or a mountain of paperwork can feel overwhelming. As reported by the Express, users on the popular CasualUK subreddit have been openly sharing their struggles and strategies for readjusting to the daily grind. The consensus is clear: you are not alone in finding the first week of January a shock to the system.
One user candidly asked the community for advice on motivating themselves for the year ahead, expressing a need to "grab things" despite feeling less anxious than usual. The responses revealed a spectrum of approaches, from meticulous planning to pure acceptance of the slow start.
Practical Strategies from the Front Line
A common theme among the advice was the importance of setting small, achievable goals rather than grand, life-changing resolutions. One Redditor outlined their plan for January, which included bed by 10pm, one bit of exercise daily, and reading just 10 pages of a book. Their philosophy was to stack easy wins and adjust gradually, acknowledging the difficulty of making big changes in cold, dark January.
Another popular tactic was to take one day at a time. "Just dread Monday, worry about the rest of the week later," suggested one commenter, advising others to have something nice planned for Monday evening as a light at the end of the tunnel. The idea of slowly rebuilding the routine was a key comfort for many.
From Grounded Expectations to Strategic Avoidance
Not all advice was about proactive improvement. Some workers advocated for a gentle re-entry, with one planning a "lazy first week back" that might extend into a month or two. Another took a starkly practical stance: "I intend to do the absolute minimum for at least 12 months."
Others shared more strategic methods for coping with the first day back. One person described dedicating the entire day to 'catching up'—which primarily involved deleting emails and setting up their calendar—to trick their brain into thinking the rest of the year would be equally straightforward. Booking future holidays, avoiding meetings, and taking long lunches were also cited as essential morale-boosting tactics.
Ultimately, the thread highlighted a collective need for self-compassion in the first week of January. Whether through micro-goals, strategic planning, or simply lowering expectations, UK workers are finding their own ways to navigate the return to reality after the festive break.
