Dana Haidan
the holidays are over!
Some are raring to get back to work; some have sleepless nights over the first day in office after the long break, while others take it cool. Woman Today scouts around and finds out how Dohanians are dealing with post-vacation blues...
Suzi Mirgani
Publications Coordinator Centre for International and Regional Studies Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar
“
This summer we went to South Africa to watch some of the World Cup games. The country was beautiful and the atmosphere was fabulous; a carnival of colours. When we got back to work, we cheated...we went away on holiday again. It’s the best recipe for getting work and holidays mixed up so you don’t have to worry about the pressures of the first day back. And the vuvuzelas are not as bad as you think...Ayoba!”
Baseera Banu
Volunteer Qatar Museum Authority
“
To me it’s surprising how every time I get back to Qatar from a break, I actually need some adjustment to the life here, considering I have lived here for the most part of my life. This time when I returned from my holiday, I especially had a difficult time dealing with the weather, since it was unusually hot, and with Ramadan right around the corner, it was definitely a challenge to get back into action.”
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September 2010
Social Investments Coordinator QatarGas
“
The difficult transition into work mode after a long break is challenging, for one reason or another. It could be because of going back to seeing the same people every day or the endless stream of emails. I’m definitely no exception. After getting used to waking up and sleeping whenever I want, having the whole day for myself and doing things at my own leisure, going back to the work routine is something I definitely dread. The first couple of weeks is the hardest, because I found myself working a lot, yet not getting any new tasks out of the way because I was working on the things that piled up while I was on leave. Simple things can make a huge difference. For instance, I get back to my sleep routine as I get back a few days before I join and it makes my life way easier when I get back to work. Also, checking my email a few days earlier and making a list of priorities help make me more organized and that way I will be more efficient and get things done faster. These two steps prepare me mentally and make the transition to work mode smoother!”
Anirban Lahiri
Caroline Zeitler
Senior Assistive Technology Specialist MADA Qatar Assistive Technology Centre
Director & Founder Arcata Interactive Communication
“
This time it took me a while to get back into the rhythm when I returned from my holiday. The leisurely pace of the holidays was still in my system and coming back, I just couldn’t find the switch to get back into ‘work mode’. What helped me in the end, was going through the ‘rituals’, through the steps I go through on work days to make the transitions easier. Although my daughter wasn’t yet back to school, I got up early every day, took the dogs for a walk, had a shower, had my breakfast and then started work. That really helped me to find my rhythm again. Now my daughter is back in school and all is easier, it puts some structure in my days and weeks. Since I’ve been working on many things and with many people simultaneously, I’ve become a sucker for structure, something I used to despise when I thought it hampered my creativity. Now I’ve come to realise that there is some truth in the adage ‘discipline sets you free’ – as much as it still makes the ‘free spirit’ in me cringe.
“
This year my summer vacation was short and exiting to say the least. It comprised of a two week stay in Birmingham and London. The time spent in London was actually like being home away from home. Many areas of the city were crowded with people from the Gulf who were spending their summer there. Similar was the scenario in major shopping malls like Harrods. My visit to Birmingham was quite a different experience as this seemed to be one of those cities that gets relatively busy at night. It was one of those places where there was a potential to temporarily escape from reality. No worries, no scheduled meetings, no baggage of anxiety, all relaxing and rejuvenating. The two weeks flew by like a breeze and it was time to return back. The first day back at work was certainly easier to get back in the ’groove’ due to the shorter working hours for Ramadan. The vacation certainly helped me return to work all refreshed.”
Fatma Al-Remaihi
International Promotions Doha Film Institute
“
In most businesses, taking a holiday is the best way to relieve work-related pressures, but when you work at the Doha Film Institute (DFI), it’s a different story. I’m lucky enough to work among a group of people, where I’m always learning something new and being challenged to be creative in ways I didn’t think I was capable of. I work in international promotions, where we work with film festivals all over the world to educate them about the work of DFI, and being in a great working environment with people that make you laugh during hard times, makes me feel that I don’t need a holiday. Nevertheless, I still do enjoy a
holiday, spending quality time with my husband and three children, and that’s as important to me as the work itself. When I come back from any holiday, I’m excited to get back to work because I’ve missed my job and can’t wait to see all my friends and colleagues at work. After a holiday, I’m more rested and confident and know that I can handle all of the pressures and challenges that await me. Sometimes it is nice to escape from the workplace pressures, responsibilities and deadlines, but with me, I still find that I’m meeting my own deadlines, even when I’m on holiday!”
Cristina Schroeder
Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer Al Massa Active Gym
Janniss Palma- Gurel
Administration Department Mannai Corporation
“
First day of work is really excruciating. This is the day when I have to wake up early again after weeks of relaxing. Inside the office, all I want to do is to drink coffee and talk about my grand vacation, but no! I have to finish the pending issues piling on my table. Anyhow accepting the reality that I need to work to support my leisure helps me get back to grind in a jiffy.”
“
There are two separate words for ‘job’ and ‘work’ in Brazil, where I’m from and where I spent my vacation this summer. The difference is that the word for ‘job’ translates into something that you have to do every day from 7-3. I don’t call what I do a ‘job’; I call it my ‘work’, because the word for ‘work’ means something you want to do, you don’t have to do. You do it for pleasure and you do it because you love it. And coming back to Doha after spending my summer in Brazil with my family, to do something I do with my heart and soul, made my way back easier. I hit the ground running – I arrived in Doha in the morning and was teaching my first Spinning class back in the afternoon!” 2010 September
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