Seize the day. Every bloody day.

Ah, the last few days before going back to work. A marvellous, paradox-laden time. The desire to fill these days to the rim with fun activities while you still can, versus the perception that time flies when you're having fun, thus bringing you closer to this certainty: you have to go back to work on Monday. The knowledge that you still have several days left to your holiday, versus the stress that's rapidly building up just thinking about how few these days are, preventing you from actually enjoying said days.

It's kind of like a death sentence, only, you know, less fatal. It's unavoidable. It's nothing to look forward to. It makes you want to throw your fist in the air and exclaim ”Carpe diem!” with all the conviction of a teenager who's just seen Dead Poets' Society for the first time. The only difference being that work is not death, although at times it might make you wish you were dead*. You still have a life outside work that needs looking after. Like a garden that's blossomed thanks to all your tender loving care while you were on leave, life still needs nourishment in order to thrive. Pulling out the weeds. Watering the flowers. Adding some autumn plants. Gathering the fruits of your efforts. Even though you'd rather stick your head in the sand and suffer through the winter months, until it's time for your next holiday.

So I'm planning ahead for Life After Work (also known as the Afterlife). I'm removing any unwanted elements. I'm taking care of the positive things in my life. I'm maybe adding a few things I've always wanted to try. And, hopefully, by the time winter comes around, I'll have gathered so much fruit that will see me through the winter.

*And that you might get a pardon if you're on death row, but no boss will ever say "Ah, you don't have to come to work on Monday" (well, maybe if you're dead).