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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Dreading going back to work tomorrow

61 replies

Goldfishmountainclimber · 03/01/2022 11:25

I have a sinking feeling about going back to work tomorrow. I am in my late 50’s and know that I need to work for a fair few more years yet.

I wonder if others could give advice on how they motivate themselves to keep at it and even to have a positive attitude? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

OP posts:

SwimmingIntoMotherhood · 03/01/2022 11:28

Are you in a position to move jobs in the new year?

I often find when I get to the point of dreading going back it's usually time to look for a change of scenery.

Life is too short and all that

Brigante9 · 03/01/2022 11:35

I sympathise! I’m dreading it, don’t like my manager and am seriously debating leaving this year. We’re meant to be retiring in a few years, I’m not sure I can stand working there for that long.

Yuledo · 03/01/2022 11:35

I work in a school. Absolutely dreading it knowing that
A - I’m likely to get covid - yet again
B - The carnage that we’ll be expected to deal with as everyone else is ill.

Appreciate this is covid related but I also recognise the feeling you describe when I was in a previous career.

absolutelynotfabulous · 03/01/2022 11:39

I empathise. I'm 62 and at the end of my tether. I try to take each day at a time. I just chant "it's only a job"over and over and I have a post-it stuck on my computer reminding me how much I will have earned that day. . It helps me tolerate things.

OnTheMoonWithSteve · 03/01/2022 11:41

If you are dreading going back to work it is probably time to start looking for a new job, it shouldn't make you feel like that.

I am going back to work tomorrow after being off for two weeks, I have enjoyed my time off and would like it to continue but I'm not dreading going back, I enjoy my job and am feeling positive for the new year and what it will bring (even though I work for the NHS).

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 03/01/2022 11:53

I have a nice (albeit boring) role in a small company. Like all my colleagues and love the office building. Still dreading going back.
Hate the idea of commuting, hate the early mornings/late nights, hate the late night thoughts about work etc.
Happens every time I take anything more than a couple of days off work.
I honestly just think I have to bite the bullet. Keep myself busy today so I have a good sleep and tackle tomorrow head on and hope I can snap back into action

DoctorSnortles · 03/01/2022 11:56

I’m dreading it, too. I usually love my job (secondary school teacher) but it’s proper shit at the moment and has been for a while. This term is looking bloody terrible.

whatisforteamum · 03/01/2022 12:00

I think this would be a fairly normal feeling after a relaxing amount of time off at Xmas.

I'm the opposite and just worked the whole dam lot as were short staffed.
Seriously think of a nice meal or favourite tv show to look forward to each night or perhaps a new hobbie.
January can be a dreary month too so I wouldn't blame everything on the job.
Searching for new ones on indeed is an idea too.Good luck going back.

TillyTopper · 03/01/2022 12:01

Have you made a plan for retirement? If you know how long you've got that could help ease the pain of working a few more years. I have a month and year in mind when I'll resign (I'm late 50's too).

Perhaps you could also start to look for other roles? If you are dreading going back maybe it's time for a change of scene?

Sofiegiraffe · 03/01/2022 12:02

I can definitely empathise. I am due to go back tomorrow after almost 10 months of maternity leave with my baby. I'm struggling to get my head around it..

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 03/01/2022 12:02

I enjoy running my own business, but after a fortnight off I am not enthused about starting back tomorrow. I totally feel your pain, i will definately not be bored when i retire!

DramaAlpaca · 03/01/2022 12:03

I'm also late 50s, mostly love my job, but I'm still dreading going back. I know I need to though, it'll be good to get back into a routine after two weeks of being lazy. I tend motivate myself by reminding myself that working is good for my mental health, which it is. I also like the money. I appreciate that's not a lot of use if you hate your job though.

Kshhuxnxk · 03/01/2022 12:04

I'm already annoyed I didn't put it holidays for rest of week. I am going be more organised eg clothes out of wardrobe including underwear. Kettle filled and cup and lemon juice sitting beside it ready for breakfast. Handbag at the ready, sandwich made up etc. I think that will take the pressure off a bit

BlowDryRat · 03/01/2022 12:05

I think of it like a scary zip line: don't think about it, just do it. The more I think about it, the worse it gets.

Once the DC have grown up and are standing on their own 2 feet I'm planning to get a nice office job with 0 responsibility that I can leave behind me every day.

RampantIvy · 03/01/2022 12:05

No. I'm looking forward to life getting back to normal.

However, you have my sympathy if you hate your job. I hope tomorrow isn't as bad as you feared.

LondonQueen · 03/01/2022 12:07

I'm dreading going back too, I'll most likely end up with covid, there will be children with covid so I will end up teaching online, and our trust in its infinite wisdom has decided to move MIS systems, and so far we have no information on it, just that the old one will be unavailable on our return.

pompomsgalore · 03/01/2022 12:10

Are you a teacher?

Tiredalwaystired · 03/01/2022 12:15

I don't hate my job but I’ve got a real sinking feeling today. Especially after how awful last January was.

It’s crap but I’m sure by next Monday I’ll be back in the groove. Hopefully.

Tiredalwaystired · 03/01/2022 12:16

I also think this year is especially hard as it’s so hard to put things like holidays in the diary and properly look forward to them happening.

blahblahx · 03/01/2022 12:20

I work in a college and I'm also dreading it, especially as I'm heavily pregnant now!

Aburg163 · 03/01/2022 12:21

Hi lovely. I bit this bullet a couple of days ago! Had the same sinking feeling. I made sure the night before I accepted I was going back to work and did what I could to prepare for it. Clean, ironed clothes laid out, mug on the side and bowl ready for coffee and porridge, glass to remind me to drink a pint of water when I woke up and ibuprofen to prevent the inevitable headache before I even got started ( it worked! ). I also decided I was going to treat the day as a one off and get everything done in my power that I could. I don't know why I was worried, I had the best day I've had in SO long. First couple of hours were a bit sticky and I kept feeling jolts of panic doing stuff like checking emails etc but realised it's just a moment of feeling like that and kept letting it go. I fully threw myself into all the tasks I'd usually hate and leave on the back burner and actually got somewhere with them. Think the trick is the fake it til you make it thing, where you basically pretend you are having a great day and it feels like that by the end. You'll be okay! Take a nice lunch and a bit of spare change for a coffee and have breaks between what you're doing

Jooox · 03/01/2022 12:21

I’m in the same boat. I’m trying not to make today feel like a Sunday pre-work day but that obviously only deals with the problem by ignoring it.

dottiedodah · 03/01/2022 12:33

If you are late 50s is there any way you could retire early? Or at least a date in mind. Look at your private pension . Ways to cut costs . Ebay for bargains ,trimming the shopping bill and so on

Kljnmw3459 · 03/01/2022 12:49

I don't get the Sunday dread anymore but going back after a long break is always difficult for me! Just another 30 years to go!

Thingsthatgo · 03/01/2022 12:52

We spend so much time at work, it’s really worth trying to do something you enjoy. I spent a few years doing a job which paid well, but I was spending all of my Sundays dreading going back on Monday morning.
I now have a job which pays much less but I actually look forward to going back to. I have wonderful colleagues who are all passionate about what they do, in a creative industry which makes people happy.
We don’t have expensive holidays or fancy cars anymore, but I am much, much happier.

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