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Anxious about going back to work daily routine

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Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • November 7, 2016 at 4:35 pm #119883
    Isabelle
    Participant

    In January 2016, I was laid off from my job. After 10 months of searching, I was able to find something and will be starting on Monday. I feel anxious about having to get back into the daily routine and daily grind of the everyday working life. Part of me is excited as I know that I will enjoy the actual working part of my day and am grateful and feel lucky that I have found a job that will give me a steady income in a field I enjoy. But a big part of me is anxious and reluctant about letting go of the no schedule freedom and non routine I had while I was unemployed. Other than job interviews, and the time I would set myself to focus on sending resumes, I was pretty much free to do what I wanted and actually took the time for myself to do things I really enjoyed it seems I always lose or “forget” to do this when I am in a work routine. I was also able to spend so much more time with my husband and the rest of my family giving up all that time with them to be at work for 8 hours a day also saddens me a little.

    I know that the only reason I was able to enjoy this time off is because I was lucky enough to have been receiving employment insurance and even though money was tighter I still did not have to worry about covering the essential expenses. I realize that had I not had an income and an extremely loving and supportive husband that this time off would have been a whole lot more stressful and not enjoyable.

    I hate that I am going into this so reluctantly as I KNOW it is a good and essential thing and I know how lucky I am because not everyone is fortunate to have a job and a steady income these days. But it seems that I am already dreading and stressing about going back to the daily routine/grind of everyday work life which to me can sometimes feels exactly like the movie groundhog day for those of you who have seen it. Any advice on how to transition back into it and letting go of this anxiety ?

    November 7, 2016 at 5:32 pm #119889
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Isabelle:

    I watched The Groundhog Day many times. If your new job turns out to be a daily groundhog grind of same-old-same-old, do what the main character did in the movie (finally, after all his desperate acts)- accept the grind, the sameness, relax into it. LEARN new things in the context of the sameness, just like the main character did in the movie. Pay attention to your co workers, to the interactions with them and improve your social skills (… just like in the movie).

    It could be an exciting adventure for you, something very… new.

    anita

    November 7, 2016 at 5:56 pm #119890
    Isabelle
    Participant

    Hi Anita,

    This is good advice that I will take guess I was not thinking about that part of the movie :). I think all I can do is ease into it and take it one day at a time. Maybe once I start my first day the anxiety will go away.

    November 7, 2016 at 7:12 pm #119891
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Isabelle:

    We need a routine of some kind to feel safe. When we have a routine we learn to rely on it, expect it the next day and the next (hence the feeling of safety). You had a routine while being unemployed (a looser routine but still a routine) and you are probably anxious about losing this routine.

    When you start work and get used to that routine, you will feel safe again.

    Regarding the boredom part of the routine you are expecting, well- if you want, watch again Groundhog day, the part when he gives up trying to escape that ONE day that keeps repeating. Watch what happens when he relaxes into the repetition- he changes his attitude, starts learning and interacting in different ways.

    anita

    November 7, 2016 at 10:46 pm #119895
    Mishika
    Participant

    Hi Isabelle
    The only thing that is constant is CHANGE
    You were looking for a job for 10 months now. I am sure one day or the other you had to do it.
    And I also understand that spending all this time with family and having all the time for yourself was amazing.
    I myself have experienced this when I changed the job and had to join again after 6 months. But just go with the positive attitude of making new friends and enjoying your work that I m sure you will enjoy like I enjoyed going after 6 months.
    With such a loving and supporting husband I am sure he will also motivate you .
    And don’t get stressed thinking about the daily routine before getting into it . Once you’l join all the anxiousness will go automatically . ( telling you my experience )
    And be in gratitude

    With Gratitude

    Love and Light
    Mishika

    November 8, 2016 at 5:43 am #119902
    Isabelle
    Participant

    You make a really good point about being afraid of losing my current routine, I did not give though to that but you are right I did have some kind a routine just a looser one as you say and maybe it is the though of starting a new one that scares me a little also the anticipated boredom as you mentioned . I actually did end up watching the movie Groundhog day again last night and it’s true that in the end it turns out to be a positive outcome when he changes his outlook and attitude he finds a way to do the same day but differently.

    November 8, 2016 at 5:55 am #119903
    Isabelle
    Participant

    Thank you Mishika for sharing your experience, I like your quote and I know I have a lot to be grateful for I realize it everyday.You are right that my anxiousness probably will go away once I get through the first day/week. I will be busy the rest of the week until Monday so it will give me less time to think about it maybe that will help also.

    November 8, 2016 at 6:28 am #119905
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Isabelle:

    I hope you post again, next week (or before)- it will be interesting to read how your first day, first week of work goes. Keep the principle of the movie in mind during the first week. If you get anxious anytime, take slow deep breaths, and if available, a hot bath … or take a fast walk outdoors… different strategies at different times.

    anita

    November 8, 2016 at 7:09 am #119916
    Mishika
    Participant

    Hi Isabelle,

    Hope you are feeling much better now and also little excited to meet new people and make new friends 😉
    Mishika

    November 14, 2016 at 6:07 pm #120410
    Isabelle
    Participant

    So that’s it first day back at work is done. Turns out my anxiety did go away when I started my day. I was tired and ready to go home at the end of my day but I felt good about being back at work. I am happy that I will have a salary again and the job and company seem really great from first day impression. There is a lot of room to advance in the company and the people seem really friendly I even saw some colleagues I knew from a previous company I worked at. I will take it one day at a time as I get used to my work routine and will try to remember to take time for myself and do things I enjoy off work hours. I have taken both your advice with me during the day and it has also helped me a lot.

    November 14, 2016 at 7:31 pm #120413
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Isabelle:

    Thank you for your first workday update! Your anxiety was not even there, excellent. So you don’t need the Groundhog Day Principle yet. Keep it in mind just in case, for future reference and do take one day at a time. Hope you post again.

    anita

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