to be sat here crying at the thought of going back to work?

[welshgirl84]

I'm back to work tomorrow after 8 months off sick. I feel so silly because I'm sat here crying about it. I don't know why I feel the way I do, I enjoyed my job before but I feel so anxious about returning.

I get nervous before the start of every term - including when I was a TA and worked in the job for 3 years I still did! You’ve had 8 months off. You’re bound to be anxious and upset about it, it’s a huge change but it will be ok. You’ll be ok once you’re there, and it’ll become normal again soon. this time tomorrow you’ll be sitting down relaxing, knowing the hardest part is over and done with.

Are you doing a phased return to work? This is usually the case to ease you back in gradually. If so I'm sure you will be fine. If not can you request the same ? Either way good luck

Are you on a phased return? I would think after so long off you should be, it really won’t be as bad as you think, it’s just that initial going in, you will be fine

It's totally normal to feel this way. Humans are creatures of habit and your whole routine is about to change significantly, and a lot of people are having weird/heightened emotions at the moment because of how stressful this year has been.

It will probably take you a good few weeks to settle in and you might be much slower at tasks than you used to be. Go easy on yourself, and if you have a sympathetic manager then tell them you're feeling worried.

I think that's a very natural response. There's lots of uncertainty, it's a daunting position to be in, you've been away a while so it has lost its familiarity and safeness - your body is trying to prepare you to face the 'challenge' of going back.

Are you having a phased return? Is there support in place to help you ease back in? Have you been updated on any changes while you've been away? Are you being met when you arrive?

If those are already planned, then perhaps try to focus and take comfort from them if you can? Or if not, perhaps they are things you could consider asking for? Having a plan can help you feel more in control.

Be kind to yourself. It's a big thing, but you'll get through it. Have you got anything nice planned for afterwards? Even if it's just watching your favourite film.

You're not silly for crying or being anxious. Beating yourself up about understandable emotions will just make you feel more rubbish!

You should definitely be on a phased return plan, just a few hours a day and then build up, does your employer offer any support at all?

You should definitely be on a phased return to give you time to ease in and adjust backn . Not surprised you're anxious- I get anxious about going back after a long weekend away, let alone 8 months! How supportive is your company/how confident are you in them?

You are bound to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Eight months is a long time - and you must have been quite ill to be off for this long. Also the whole world changed while you were unwell.

Take it one step at a time. It will be exhausting and stressful to go back. A lot to catch up on. Give yourself a break - ease back into it.

Thanks everyone

I will be on a phased return so that helps knowing I will only be going in for a few hours. A lot has happened in my work since I have been off, we have a whole new computer system so I will have a lot to learn. Also have a new manager.
My colleagues don't know the reason I was off so that makes it a bit more difficult, I just feel that I don't want them to know, I want work to be a place I can go to and not think about my illness.

I'm sorry things have been so tough

It's utterly normal to feel like this, and you know once you've been back a few days it'll be fine again. Have a nice cup of tea and an early night, you'll get through it tomorrow and might even have a nice time!

Workplaces have people off all the time. Mist people don't bat an eyelid, you'll return and everyone gets on with it. Seriously I've known friends and colleagues off for months and hardly noticed. I had a breakdown and had months off in a new job
Was dreading returning, dreading what people would think. But by break time its normal. Ypu will be fine. Get the first day over. Good luck.

My colleagues don't know the reason I was off so that makes it a bit more difficult, I just feel that I don't want them to know, I want work to be a place I can go to and not think about my illness.

It may be worth thinking through how you might respond if anyone starts fishing for information about your absence. Rightly or wrongly, people are bound to be curious.

Good luck for tomorrow - I hope it goes well.

I have a rule that whenever anyone has been off all I day is welcome back, you have been missed. No questions.

But, op is right someone will,ask. All you need to say is I have been unwell, but hopefully am doing better now.

People should take the hint

I've been there. Give it a couple of days and you'll start feeling less weird. Live goes on, for your colleagues and you. For me, it helped being totally honest about why I was off work. Each to our own, but I WANTED to tell them what I'd been through. I left the workplace like a vegetable, they deserved to know why.

Caveat - My absence was a long term thing and I worked for a big company.

@NiceandCalm

I've been there. Give it a couple of days and you'll start feeling less weird. Live goes on, for your colleagues and you. For me, it helped being totally honest about why I was off work. Each to our own, but I WANTED to tell them what I'd been through. I left the workplace like a vegetable, they deserved to know why.

I feel like I am putting extra pressure on myself by not telling my colleagues, its like I want to tell them but at the same time want to keep my work life as normal as possible.