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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Pinkandpink · 03/01/2022 12:52

I’m fifty this year, although I’m looking forward to getting back to a routine, eg kids back at school, loosing weight and getting back to the gym. I’m dreading work tomorrow. It’s quite physical, lots of walking and lifting, off my pain medication. Plus dreading if the kids get sent home from school because of class isolation, as I haven’t got childcare and don’t get paid for being off. I’m on edge because of this.

CowMarshland · 03/01/2022 12:59

Hate first day back after any time off. Hate the first few minutes of forced holiday stories , can guarantee one person will have had a shit time..every evening is shit, every weekend is shit.. always some god-damn drama that they have to bang on about for half an hour

Eternallyfrazzled · 03/01/2022 13:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at OP's request.

Ilikewinter · 03/01/2022 13:14

I've just had a few days off for New Year (work in retail) and am actually looking forward to going back tomorrow.....because I only have 2 weeks left before I leave !🥳🥳🥳😊😊😊.
I think most people get the dread after a holiday but if its more than that then maybe its time to look for something else??

Snoken · 03/01/2022 13:15

I had the same dreading feeling yesterday, but I have just done half a day (on my lunch break now) and it's actually not been bad at all. Well, except for when the alarm went off at 5.45 this morning, and I am normally a morning person who wakes up before the alarm. Once I got in front of the computer I was fine though.

Good luck to all of you for tomorrow. Hopefully you won't feel half as bad as you think you will!

DynamiteFilledRadish · 03/01/2022 13:17

I'm dreading it too. Have been looking at jobs the last few days. I do like my job and I'm great at it, my problem is the people I work with.

Newyearoldyou · 03/01/2022 13:19

Yep alai dreading it because its an educational setting with wishy washy slt guidance and no actual teeth to carry any measures through.

For instance my dd school has sent an email out, very strongly worded saying they must have masks on in class.
My setting will push the guidance side, ie you don't have too, but we would prefer it if you did.

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 03/01/2022 13:20

I find it helps to plan out my day in my head - e.g. first thing I will look at x report to see if y needs doing, and do y ASAP if so, then I will deal with all my emails, then I will set up my Outlook calendar for 2022 etc.

FrownedUpon · 03/01/2022 13:21

When can you retire? Is there any way of bringing retirement forward?

Perhaps put extra into your pension & have a clear end goal e.g. 3 more years. This is helping me, as work totally gets in the way of what I really want to be doing!

Mamaofaboy · 03/01/2022 13:32

@absolutelynotfabulous I love this 😁

PupInAPram · 03/01/2022 13:33

61 here. I have a lovely notebook where I keep my pension statements and on each page a calculation of what I will get in lgps pension if I retire that summer, all the way through to when I get my state pension. I keep a record of savings and how many paydays are left for each year. When I'm really fed up I get it out and think about how my budget would work and what it would look like if I waited another year. It keeps me going. I think to myself if I go this year I'm living off baked beans, one more year and I can afford a nicer meal plan etc 😁

PupInAPram · 03/01/2022 13:35

And for the folk saying get a new job, age discrimination is still a thing.

Hyppogriff · 03/01/2022 13:40

Also dreading though it’s never actually as bad as anticipated

Oblomov22 · 03/01/2022 13:54

I'm quite looking forward to going back tomorrow.
Sort your CV out OP and get it out there asap.

changeyourname11111 · 03/01/2022 14:05

I am going back tomorrow after two weeks off as well and am also dreading it.

It’s not a bad job and well paid for what it is (admin in a school), but I resent having my life so taken over by work. Both in terms of the time it takes up (I work 8 to 5 with half an hour for lunch), but especially how tired it makes me. And though I quite like admin, quite a lot of things in my job a. make me worried I have missed something, and b. are tedious.

I am working towards a counselling diploma and would like to work in mental health instead (I think).

Then again I have about 11 weeks off a year in this job so I can’t complain and am lucky!!

MrsToadlike · 03/01/2022 15:05

I feel the same OP. Absolutely dreading it. Also took Xmas decorations down today so feeling doubly down.

I love a pp's suggestion of putting a post-it note on your laptop with the amount you'll earn that day as motivation. Going to do that myself tomorrow.

Feelingoktoday · 03/01/2022 18:48

Yes I feel the same op. Not sure if it’s the job or just the fact of going to work. Hate how much of my life is given over to work. My ex FIL retired at 52 on final salary pension with BP. I’m 57 and have many years of work left.

Original poster
Goldfishmountainclimber · 03/01/2022 18:50

Thank you for all of your responses. It is actually comforting to hear that I am not alone.

I enjoyed the pp with the daily pay post it on the computer!

PupInAPram - your comments resonated with me. I need to keep a direct record of my financial objectives. I do feel conscious about age discrimination in looking for a new job. It feels like an entirely different challenge now from when I was younger, bright eyed and bushy tailed. But I guess I do need to consider it.

I still have children at school as I had my children fairly late so this is the other side of that choice where I have to keep providing!

OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 03/01/2022 18:54

can you afford to go part time? I'm a lot more tolerent when I'm only there three days a week.
Alternatively, look for two part time roles - same effect, but without the long weekend Grin - and you pay less national insurance

Original poster
Goldfishmountainclimber · 03/01/2022 18:54

Aburg163 - thank you for your post. I will re-read this and try to take it on board. It is working on your mind set which is important.

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 03/01/2022 18:59

Anticipation is the worst thing, once you have been back an hour or so you will be fine OP. A longish break is always unsettling. Good luck.

thickthighs73 · 03/01/2022 19:01

As the saying goes a change is a good as a rest.

Nyxnak · 03/01/2022 19:02

I'm not even 40, at least you are closer to retirement? Can you plan your retirement?

I dread it too- nice people, but poor leadership, legacy and various issues. I'm not actually doing the job I'm meant to do, just everything that needs to be done really.

You'll always find people who go "find something you love and you will never work a day" on these threads but frankly I disagree. Work is work. Lots out of your control. That's why work has to pay else nobody would do it.

Nyxnak · 03/01/2022 19:04

Also I already changed scenery few months ago after a 5 year stint at last place so am not allowed to move so soon again!

NoWordForFluffy · 03/01/2022 19:04

@Kljnmw3459

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!
Yes, I don't mind going back after a weekend. However, long breaks fill me with dread as nobody does my work while I'm off, so I'm always up the wall playing catch up (I always chat with fellow solicitors about the need for but burden of holidays!).