diff --git a/org/init.el b/org/init.el
index 64c43ea..f16dca0 100644
--- a/org/init.el
+++ b/org/init.el
@@ -360,24 +360,55 @@
 ; long break is 30 mins
 ;   every 3rd pomodoro give 30 minute break
 
+; actual values
 (setq pomidor-seconds (* 60 60)) ; total work period
 (setq pomidor-warmup-seconds (* 15 60)) ; warmup time
 (setq pomidor-break-seconds (* 10 60))
 (setq pomidor-breaks-before-long 3)
 (setq pomidor-long-break-seconds (* 30 60))
 
-; setup 'warmup period' functionality
-(defun my-pomidor-update-hook ()
+; setup emoji separators to enhance visual state indicators
+(defun my-pomidor-separator-hook ()
   (let* ((state (pomidor--current-state))
          (total (pomidor--total-duration state))
-         (ellapsed (round (time-to-seconds total))))
-      (if (<= ellapsed pomidor-warmup-seconds)
-        (setq pomidor-header-separator " 🌡️↑ ")
-        (setq pomidor-header-separator " — ")
+         (elapsed (round (time-to-seconds total))))
+      (cond ; watch out for the order of this conditional
+            ; there are overlapping states and this order is meaninful
+            ((or (pomidor-overwork-p) (pomidor-break-over-p))
+                (setq pomidor-header-separator " ⚠️ "))
+            ((pomidor-should-long-break-p)
+                (setq pomidor-header-separator " 🪁 "))
+            ((pomidor--break state)
+                (setq pomidor-header-separator " 🚶 "))
+            ((<= elapsed pomidor-warmup-seconds)
+                (setq pomidor-header-separator " 🌡️↑ "))
+            (t (setq pomidor-header-separator " 🏢 "))
       )
   )
 )
-(add-hook 'pomidor-update-hook #'my-pomidor-update-hook)
+; add separator logic as std pomidor update hook to ensure the emoji separators get displayed
+;     this will be delayed up to the pomidor-update-interval for display
+(add-hook 'pomidor-update-hook #'my-pomidor-separator-hook)
+; trigger the emoji separator for common operations so it 'triggers' faster than via the std pomidor update hook
+;     this should show the emoji separators 'faster' than relying on just the update hook
+(advice-add #'pomidor-reset :after #'my-pomidor-separator-hook)
+(advice-add #'pomidor-stop :after #'my-pomidor-separator-hook)
+(advice-add #'pomidor-break :after #'my-pomidor-separator-hook)
+
+; 'hold' visual indicator
+(defun my-pomidor-hold-separator ()
+  (interactive)
+  (setq pomidor-header-separator " 💤 ")
+  (pomidor--update)
+)
+(advice-add #'pomidor-hold :before #'my-pomidor-hold-separator)
+; 'unhold' -- reset visual indicator
+(defun my-pomidor-unhold-separator ()
+  (interactive)
+  (my-pomidor-separator-hook)
+  (pomidor--update)
+)
+(advice-add #'pomidor-unhold :before #'my-pomidor-unhold-separator)
 
 ; position cursor @ top of pomidor buffer after rendering
 (defun my-pomidor-beginning-of-buffer (buffer states)