The New Year holidays are drawing to a close, and it's probably around the time when thoughts of work start to enter your mind.
Feeling down with thoughts like "Work again tomorrow..." is something everyone experiences. However, the cause of that heavy feeling might not be a "lack of motivation," but rather "an unprepared environment."
To help you get a smooth start after the long holiday, we'll introduce some "environment reset techniques" you can do today.
Why does "creating the right environment" directly impact motivation?
Our brains are significantly influenced by our visible surroundings.
A cluttered desk, a bag stuffed with old receipts, a messy PC screen that greets you every time you boot up. These create an unconscious pressure of "still not organized," draining your energy before you even start work.
Conversely, if your environment is tidy, motivation naturally arises. Now, during the long holiday, is the perfect time to prepare for that.
[Desk Area] Reset the surface
First, let's tidy up your desk, which is the "foundation" of your work.
① Remove everything temporarily
Move everything on your desk to another location. You'll likely see dust and dirt that were previously hidden.
② Wipe the surface with a damp cloth
Quickly wipe down the entire desk with a tightly wrung cloth. Experiencing this "clean slate" state even once can significantly boost your concentration for work.
③ Return only the bare essentials
Only put back items you genuinely use every day. A pen holder, a laptop, and frequently used stationery are sufficient. Store anything that is "nice to have" in drawers or on shelves.
[Bag/Belongings] Unload "last year's baggage"
When was the last time you organized the contents of your commute bag or backpack?
Take everything out and check
Receipts accumulated at the bottom, depleted pens, expired candies... You'd be surprised what kind of trash lurks there. Take everything out and dispose of unnecessary items.
Replenish necessary items
Check if you have "reassuring" items like tissues, a handkerchief, a mobile battery, and regular medicine. Having your bag organized reduces anxiety about commuting.
[Small Pleasure] Prepare one "favorite"
To make starting work a little more enjoyable, prepare a small reward for yourself.
For example…
- Buy a new notebook or a single pen.
- Prepare your favorite coffee.
- Change your PC desktop wallpaper to a refreshing landscape.
These "small updates" can be a powerful hook to get you moving after the holidays. Especially just by having one favorite piece of stationery, your steps towards work will feel lighter.
[Documents and Digital Data] "Sort" them
Do you have any "homework" carried over from the end of last year?
Paper documents
Categorize them into three groups: "do immediately," "do later," and "keep," then organize them into clear files.
PC Desktop
Group scattered icons into one folder (e.g., "2025 Files") to clear the background.
On the first morning of work, the "mental fatigue" you experience will differ greatly between seeing a row of icons the moment you open your PC and seeing a clean wallpaper.
Summary: An organized environment calls forth your "motivation"
Motivation after a long holiday shouldn't be forced. If you create an "environment conducive to starting work," motivation will follow.
- Wipe your desk surface (building a foundation for concentration)
- Reset the contents of your bag (alleviating anxiety)
- Prepare one favorite item (creating excitement)
Keep these three points in mind and try your first day back at the office or starting remote work. You'll surely get a much smoother start than you expect.
Let's achieve your best performance in 2026 from an organized environment!
