Back-to-work blues: When you no longer feel like going back to work (Therapy Practice in Paris 10 - for Expats)
After several weeks of taking a break, being on holiday, or simply living at a different pace, returning to work can sometimes feel challenging.
Some people simply need time to get back into their routine. Others experience something deeper: a knot in their stomach at the thought of returning to work, a lack of motivation, intense fatigue, or even the feeling that their professional life no longer feels meaningful.
“I don’t want to go back to work anymore.” This thought can feel unsettling, especially when everything seems to be “fine” on the surface. Yet this feeling is more common than we might think.
Why can returning to work feel so difficult?
Holidays often create a pause from everyday life: a different rhythm, more time for yourself, fewer demands, and sometimes the opportunity to reconnect with what truly brings you joy and energy.
Returning to daily life can therefore create a strong contrast. Responsibilities come back, demands increase, mental load returns, and certain tensions that were put aside during the year may resurface.
Sometimes, it is not the return itself that feels difficult — it is what this transition reveals.
It can highlight accumulated exhaustion, an imbalance between personal and professional life, a loss of meaning, or needs that have been neglected for too long.
When a lack of motivation becomes a signal to listen to
It is completely normal to need a few days to adjust after a holiday period.
However, certain signs may invite you to reflect:
you feel intense anxiety at the thought of returning to work;
you feel exhausted even before starting again;
you no longer experience pleasure or interest in your work;
you feel constantly under pressure;
you regularly question whether you are still in the right place.
These feelings do not necessarily mean that you need to make immediate major changes. They can simply provide valuable information about your inner state and what you may need.
What if the back-to-work period was an opportunity to reflect?
Periods of transition, such as returning to work after holidays, are often moments when important questions emerge:
Does my daily life still feel aligned with who I am? Am I paying enough attention to my own needs? What gives me energy? What drains me? Am I living in a way that reflects what truly matters to me?
Taking time to explore these questions can help you better understand what lies behind a loss of motivation or a feeling of exhaustion.
Therapy: a space to understand what is happening
When you experience discomfort related to work or find it difficult to regain balance, having a space to express and explore what you are going through can be valuable.
Therapy can help you step back, put words to your emotions, and explore the patterns that may contribute to feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected from your needs.
The goal is not necessarily to find an immediate solution or make a major decision, but rather to develop a better understanding of yourself in order to make choices that feel more aligned with who you are.
My approach
As a Psychopractitioner trained in Psycho-Organic Analysis, I support adults who wish to better understand their emotions, navigate periods of change, or regain greater balance and serenity in their personal and professional lives.
Psycho-Organic Analysis is a humanistic approach that considers the whole person: their history, emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
I offer a warm and supportive space where each person can explore their experience at their own pace, without judgment.
I welcome clients at my practice in Paris 10th arrondissement, near République, in both French and English, and I also offer online sessions.
In Summary
Finding it difficult to return to work after a holiday does not necessarily mean that something is “wrong.” Sometimes, this difficulty is simply a sign that it may be time to pause, listen, and better understand what is happening within yourself.
The back-to-work period can become an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with your needs.
👉 Do you feel anxious about returning to work or feel that you have lost your balance? Feel free to contact me to discuss your situation or schedule an initial session.
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