I just got back from the most incredible cruise with the fam (30+ of us)! We swam, ziplined, danced, karaoked, played mini golf, won a dodgeball tournament (obviously 😎), and lived our best lives in Coco Cay and Nassau.
It was the perfect start to summer.
But now I’m back.
And if you’ve ever stared at your inbox after vacation and thought, “Where do I even start?”
Same, friend. 😅
Instead of diving in full speed and pretending I didn’t just live in flip-flops for a week, I’ve learned to give myself a reset that actually works.
I’ve got a post-vacation work reset that I swear by, and I’m breaking it down for you in this blog. It’s made up of four simple steps that help me reconnect with my business, rebuild momentum, and find my creative flow again without slipping into burnout.
- First: I take a full-on buffer day
- Then: I ease into “biz chat” mode
- Next: I get back into action, gently
- I share a vacay recap
Here’s exactly what that looks like …
☁️ First: I take a full-on buffer day
When I get back from vacation, I never dive straight into client projects or heavy content creation. That’s a fast track to overwhelm.
Instead, I give myself what I call a CEO/CFO Day.
It’s a light, behind-the-scenes reset that helps me get back into the rhythm of running my business with intention.
It’s my personal post-vacation work reset for entrepreneurs, and it truly changes the game. It lets me come back feeling grounded and focused, rather than frazzled and reactive.
Here’s what that day looks like:
→ I look at revenue.
Before I even open my DMs, I check my numbers.
I’m not crunching spreadsheets or stressing over totals. I’m simply reconnecting with the financial pulse of my business.
I look at what came in while I was away, what’s pending, and what’s scheduled next.
Seeing the data helps me lead from clarity instead of emotion.
→ I check in on goals.
Next, I pull up my quarterly goals and see where I left off.
I ask myself what still matters most right now. Sometimes my priorities shift after time away, and that’s a good thing.
This step brings me back to the “why” behind my work and helps me decide what will actually move the needle this week.
→ I map out my week from a bird’s-eye view.
Once I’m clear on the big picture, I plan my week with calm intention. I keep it realistic and balanced.
I block time for client work, creativity, and admin tasks, and I always leave white space for flexibility.
This helps me re-enter my schedule with ease, rather than feeling pressured.
→ I clean up my inbox (without trying to answer everything).
This part feels so freeing.
- I sort my emails into three buckets: urgent, important, and “can wait.”
- Then I delete, archive, and unsubscribe from anything that doesn’t deserve my attention.
The goal isn’t inbox zero; it’s peace of mind. I want my inbox to feel like a workspace again, not a source of stress.
By the end of that buffer day, my business feels refreshed and organized. It’s like wiping the slate clean before diving back in.
🎧 Then: I ease into “biz chat” mode
Once my CEO/CFO day is wrapped up, I don’t jump straight into deep work or heavy decision-making. Instead, I spend a day easing back into “biz chat” mode.
This part of my post-vacation reset routine is all about reconnecting to the energy of entrepreneurship without the pressure to perform.
I’m not trying to cross things off a list yet. I’m simply soaking back into the creative headspace that makes me love what I do.
Here’s how I do it …
→ I listen to a few podcasts.
I’ll grab my coffee, go for a walk, and queue up a few of my favorite business podcasts.
I choose ones that inspire me, not ones that make me feel like I’m behind. Sometimes I’ll re-listen to an episode that once sparked a great idea or reminded me why I started this business in the first place.
Hearing other entrepreneurs talk about growth, creativity, or mindset always helps me reconnect to my purpose.
It’s a calm, motivating way to wake my brain back up without diving into tasks too quickly.
→ I send a voice message to my biz bestie.
Nothing fancy here.
I’ll open Voxer and send a quick “hey, I’m back!” message to my business bestie.
We’ll chat about how the break went, what we’re excited to focus on next, and any ideas that have been simmering.
It’s not a strategy session, it’s about connection.
Sharing that post-vacation spark with someone who gets it helps me find my rhythm again and reminds me I’m not doing this alone.
These little rituals help me re-enter my business with joy, not pressure. They make the transition back to work feel light, intentional, and genuinely energizing.
⚡ Next: I get back into action, gently
Once I’ve reconnected to my business energy, I start easing into light execution. Nothing too demanding or overwhelming, just small actions that rebuild momentum and remind me I’m back in my groove.
Here’s what that usually looks like:
→ Checking in with clients.
I’ll start by popping into Honeybook, my client management system, or inbox and sending a few quick check-ins.
Sometimes it’s confirming shoot dates or following up on deliverables. Other times, it’s simply sending a “Hey, how are things going this week?” note.
There’s something grounding about reconnecting with the people I serve first. It helps me shift from vacation mode to service mode in a natural way.
→ Sending a quick email to my list.
Next, I write a short, genuine message to my email community.
It might be a personal update, a little behind-the-scenes story, or something I learned while taking time off.
I don’t overthink it.
My only goal is to reestablish that connection and remind my subscribers I’m here, thinking of them, and ready to pour into their growth again.
It’s also an easy way to get back into a content rhythm without the pressure of creating something massive.
→ Getting back on Instagram with a low-lift but high-connecting post.
Finally, I show up on Instagram in a simple, authentic way.
It might be a candid selfie with a caption about my post-vacation reset or a story sharing what I’m working on this week.
I’m not chasing engagement metrics or trying to go viral. I’m just showing up as myself and rebuilding that sense of connection.
The goal is consistency, not perfection.
By the end of this stage, I’m moving again (not sprinting), just walking with purpose.
These small, intentional actions create momentum without draining my energy, which is exactly what an entrepreneur’s post-vacation routine should feel like.
📸 I share a vacay recap!
I start by gathering a handful of my favorite photos from the trip.
It could be a mix of fun moments, pretty views, and behind-the-scenes glimpses that feel personal but still aligned with my brand.
Then I create a few Instagram Stories with quick captions about what each moment meant to me. Nothing overly curated, just genuine snippets of joy and reflection.
If I’m feeling inspired, I’ll also put together a short recap Reel. I’ll layer a few clips or still photos with a song that captures the mood of the trip.
View this post on Instagram
This kind of content reminds my audience that I’m not just a coach or a photographer, but a human who takes time to rest, recharge, and live life fully.
It’s grounding to share it.
It helps me emotionally close the vacation chapter and turn my focus toward what’s next. And it’s the perfect, low-effort way to stay visible while easing back in with a calm reset routine after vacation energy.
A gentle reminder for your own reset 🌿
If you’re coming off a trip or just trying to find your flow again this season, give yourself a little grace.
You don’t have to sprint back into productivity mode.
You don’t need to “catch up” on everything you missed.
What you really need is space to reconnect, refocus, and move forward one step at a time.
That’s what a true post-vacation work reset for entrepreneurs is all about — giving yourself permission to ease back in, rebuild momentum with intention, and remember that rest isn’t wasted time. It’s the thing that keeps your creativity alive.
Take your time, refill your cup, and trust that your business will meet you right where you are.
And if you’re in that post-vacation fog right now and want to talk through how to ease back into your marketing or client work, send me a DM on Instagram and share your favorite post-vacation reset rituals. I’d love to swap ideas and celebrate your comeback routine with you!
