How to Survive...uhm, ENJOY the First Day Back to Work

• Wake up half-an-hour earlier than normal and take the dog for a morning walk. Tell yourself you'll do this every day because it's good for the both of you. You won't.
• Wear something that makes you feel pretty.
• Treat yourself to store-bought coffee and fancy pastry. It's a splurge but you deserve it. It's The First Day Back to Work.
• Pretend it's The First Day of a New Job. And everything is new and fresh and untainted with past annoyances. Be on your Best Behavior with your "new" boss and colleagues. 
• Get the h*ll out of the building at lunchtime. Those "new" people are annoying you already (jk, New People!). 
• Take ten minutes to meditate. Just...close your eyes and focus on your breath...and try to let everything else slip away. If things sneak in (and they will!), "label" them - "planning," "fretting," "expecting the worst," etc. Be aware of what's interrupting *your* time...and then let it go.
• Spend the afternoon getting excited and happy about The Really Really Good Thing that you've planned for yourself. Yay. 
• Don't stay there a second longer than you have to. 
• Hurry home to Really Really Good Thing. Enjoy IMMENSELY. 
• Have actual dinner, not just ice cream (even with sprinkles, that's not *really* a real meal).
• Be a little productive. Not too much. Don't want to burn yourself out the first day.
• Go to bed early, noting before falling asleep, that you survived. Good for you!

(no pictures today, can you believe it?!?))