I’m outside. I need a push to go in....

[fireflylanegirls]

Today is the day. I’m back at work.

My son has been at nursery for 3 weeks and today I’m back in the office.

I’m currently sat in the car park and my heart has not stopped pounding.

It just all looks so normal. I’ve seen a few of my colleagues walk by and everyone just looks the same, happy.

I don’t know what it’s like in the office in terms of Covid, I have a meeting as soon as I go in to discuss the changes.

I don’t think I have ever felt so nervous.

I’m 19 days post my 1st vaccine so not even at the 21 day mark.

I feel like turning around and going home! 😩

Are you particularly vulnerable to covid? This seems like quite an extreme reaction.

In you go. It's surprising how quickly it seems normal again. I went in on Friday and apart from getting lost in a building I have worked in for 10 yrs it was pretty much the same.

@PurpleDaisies

Are you particularly vulnerable to covid? This seems like quite an extreme reaction.

@PurpleDaisies

I’m fat.

You mean curvy?

Just open the door and walk in. You’ll do and be great.

As you are young, your immunity is probably as good as it'll get from the first vaccine already (apparently it's a bit slower when you're older).

Are you wearing a mask? They do help the wearer as well (just not as much) change it when it gets damp.

Use hand sanitiser

You can always leave if they're not following good practice.

First day back after maternity, baby in nursery is pretty horrible for most mums - Covid on top, it's bound to be nerve wracking.

I'm holding your hand, we need to go in!

Really deep breath, count to three, open the car door and walk briskly to the office door thinking about the first thing you need to do when you get in the office. Will you go get a coffee to start the day? Will you have to greet Anne at the reception desk? Won't it be nice to catch up with everyone in person..?

Go, go go, now.... you can do it!!

You'll be fine. You just need to readjust. I and many others have been working out of the home this entire time. We wear masks and keep windows and doors open, one person at a time in the kitchen and toilets. We can't social distance due to the nature of the work (manufacturing) but you probably can in the office.

You’ll be okay. Honestly, it’s a fear of the unknown and it gets worse the longer that you’re off.

Get yourself inside and your mind will be able to start settling. While you’re outside, you’re filling yourself with anxiety and adrenaline.

I’m 19 days post my 1st vaccine so not even at the 21 day mark.

It’s a gradual increase, it’s not that you have no protection up to 21 days and suddenly jumps to a high percentage at 21. It’s an arbitrary cut off. I’m jealous, I’d love to be allowed back to the office.

Hope its going okay. I understand The Fear but its amazing how quickly things seem normal again.

Jo99996 what do you mean by “curvy”?? If the OP herself is saying she’s fat and vulnerable because of it it’s highly likely she’s more than just curvy. Don’t dress it up.

You can do it! Deep breath. Distraction with all the things you'd like to get done today. Hand sanitizer and hand washing. Don't give yourself time to think.

You are strong. You can do this. In you go. X

@DollyParton2

Jo99996 what do you mean by “curvy”?? If the OP herself is saying she’s fat and vulnerable because of it it’s highly likely she’s more than just curvy. Don’t dress it up.

I believe that’s the exact opposite of dressing it up.

Chin up op, back to work after mat leave is always horrible. Just remind yourself that it will get a tiny bit easier every day. Soon, it'll feel normal and you'll be back in routine. That bit in between I'm afraid there's no magic cure, it's just a case of fake it till you make it.

RE Covid, a few thoughts. Ask about the adaptations that have been made and follow them, you'll probably did the routine of them comforting (it helps you to feel more in control I think) as PP have said, you're likely to have a fair bit of immunity from the vaccine already plus figures are relatively low just now so you're going back at a good time.

Finally if you are unlucky enough to get Covid, being fat doesn't automatically mean you'll get it really severely, I'm probably older and fatter than you and I felt under the weather for several weeks but never unwell enough to stay in bed. Plenty of stories like that on here too.

Anyway, hopefully you're in work by now so best of luck and I hope it's gone well

I think you’ve posted before, but I’m glad you’re doing ok and trying to get back to work. It’s scary out there, but I really hope it goes ok.

I recognise you from your previous posts op. You've come so far in facing your anxieties, you really can do this 👍

Hope things go well for you today. 💐

I’m finding it really hard.

12 of us in my office.
Desks are distanced, windows open, plenty of sanitiser and wipes.
Issue is no one really distances, people talking at the printer, talking at the kitchen area.

My desk is near the kitchen area and I feel paranoid when people are making drinks or getting their lunch.

We have to wear masks if we leave our room, but we don’t have to wear masks in our room.

I’ve lived under a rock for a year and i just can’t decide if it’s safe or if I’m just being ott.

Everyone else seems perfectly happy with the set up.

My workplace is quite similar I think, people just forget when they're into the swing of it. For now though, don't be afraid to talk to people and tell them how worried you are. They should respect that and keep their distance until you relax a bit.

@GeorgeandHarold66

My workplace is quite similar I think, people just forget when they're into the swing of it. For now though, don't be afraid to talk to people and tell them how worried you are. They should respect that and keep their distance until you relax a bit.

@GeorgeandHarold66

I don’t want to relax though, that’s the thing.😩

I don’t want to relax though, that’s the thing.😩

I don't understand? You want to stay feeling this anxious forever? Why?

The thing is, you're vaccinated now at least partially and so it's increasingly likely that you would only have a mild dose if you catch it at all and you get to a point where you have to get on with life to a certain extent. Otherwise you and your whole family will be massively impacted by your anxiety.

I honestly do get where you're coming from and I'm not trying to be unkind. I'm a very overweight special needs teacher. I've pretty much worked throughout with children who don't distance, lick the door handles and occasionally bite or spit in my face.

At the beginning of each rise in cases I've had a week or so of being so anxious I can't sleep or function properly. I have to work really hard to control my anxiety and keep going.

It isn't easy but it is worth it.

What do you mean by “I don’t want to relax?”. Sorry I too am FT working mum of small ones - my baby is 13 months old and was born at the start of pandemic and son is 5 years old. I am not vaccinated yet as don’t tick any boxes at all, and am BAME so should possibly be worried! Your reaction seems very extreme and intense - do you think the Solution is indeed in material changes (like not returning to work) or perhaps some support for anxiety/your own headspace ?

I’ve lived under a rock for a year and i just can’t decide if it’s safe or if I’m just being ott

You're being OTT.
We have low case rates.
You have increased immunity.
You are wearing a mask.
You are keeping your distance from others.
The windows are open.
You are maintaining good hand hygiene.

All of these things in isolation reduce the chance of anything happening. Together they reduce it more than significantly.

Why don't you want to relax? Just get on with your work and ignore those around you. Just being close to the kitchen area doesn't mean you are going to catch Covid. You don't need to get too close to people. If they get too close just remind them of distancing. I am sure it will feel very normal very soon and this is a good thing.

I mean I don’t want to relax to the point of not distancing from my work colleagues!!