Starting again, slowly

Coming back to work in January always feels a bit strange.

Not in a bad way, just slightly disjointed. You go from a period where things have slowed down, where there’s less structure and fewer expectations, straight back into a routine that previously felt quite full. I think I expected to come back feeling refreshed and ready to go, but the reality is a bit more gradual than that. It’s taken me a couple of weeks to properly settle back into things.

At the start of the month, everything felt slightly slower than it had before the break. Sitting down to work took more effort, focusing for long periods didn’t come as easily, and even simple tasks felt like they needed a bit more time. Nothing major, just a general sense that I wasn’t quite back into the rhythm yet. I think that’s fairly normal, but it’s still a bit frustrating when you’re used to operating at a certain pace.

Rather than trying to force it, I’ve been easing back in. Keeping things fairly simple, focusing on one or two things each day instead of trying to do everything at once. It’s not the most efficient approach in the short term, but it feels more sustainable, and things are starting to feel more familiar again.

Running has been similar. I’m still being cautious with my ankle, so I’m not jumping straight back into anything too structured. Instead, it’s been a case of short, easy runs, mixed in with walking, and seeing how things feel as I go. It’s definitely slower than I would have liked, but it’s also probably what I need right now.

There’s something quite useful about that kind of gradual return. It forces you to pay attention, rather than just picking up where you left off. I’m noticing how things feel a bit more, both physically and mentally, and adjusting accordingly. I’ve also been trying to keep expectations fairly low. January has a reputation for being the month where everything resets and you suddenly become more productive, more consistent, and generally better at everything. That’s never really been my experience, and this year is no different. If anything, it feels more like a transition period than a fresh start.

I’m not setting big goals or trying to overhaul anything. It’s more about getting back into a routine that works, both for my PhD and for everything else. That probably means a few weeks of things feeling slightly slower and less structured than they were before, and that’s fine. If anything, it’s been a useful reminder that momentum doesn’t come back instantly. It builds again over time, in the same way it did before.

So for now, the focus is fairly simple. Keep things moving, don’t rush it, and let the routine settle back into place gradually. Not particularly exciting, but it feels like the right approach.