Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Anxiety after annual leave

19 replies

ivfbabymomma1 · 31/08/2021 18:26

Does anyone else get really bad anxiety when returning to work? Even after a day off? I have today off (pre booked) and I feel so anxious with it being 4 days off due the bank holiday. I always get the feeling I'm going to go in and had done something wrong the previous week, or I don't know, a complaint or something? (I'm never in trouble with work, no disciplinarys or nothing) so I have no logical reason to feel this way? Sad I've got a week off next week and I feel like I'll spend the whole time being anxious! It's a very small company with only 8 of us if that makes it any more or less sense!

OP posts:
TinToms · 31/08/2021 18:45

Yes all the time! 😄 I repeat the mantra to myself ‘I work to live, I don’t live to work’ and plan something nice to do in the evening of my first day back, even if it’s just having a takeaway. Once that first morning is out the way, I’m fine and I bet you are too! I know exactly what you mean!

Original poster
ivfbabymomma1 · 31/08/2021 21:02

Thank you so much for replying! I'm glad I'm not alone in this irrational thinking! Good idea about the takeaway!!x

OP posts:
WreckTangled · 31/08/2021 21:03

Yes! I've been off for almost six weeks and am back on Thursday. Dreading it.

Hereforthedramaz · 31/08/2021 21:39

Yes 100%

I even feel unreasonably happy on a bank holiday as everyone is off so less chance of things having blown up and gone wrong!

surreygirl1987 · 31/08/2021 21:42

I feel anxious about work frequently, but less so when I'm actually there as I feel in control. Much more so when I'm away from work! I get so panicked about opening my email inbox after a few days away.have you ever considered CBT?

H8H8H8 · 31/08/2021 21:45

Anything to do with this? imposter syndrome

drpaddington · 31/08/2021 21:56

Yes! I work term time only so I get that awful feeling of dread at the end of every half term break. Summer holidays are the killer. I'm back to work tomorrow, it's actually been almost 9 weeks as I had my children off isolating one after the other in July! I feel sick with worry.

leopardprintpants · 31/08/2021 21:56

I get this too!

It's awful.

surreygirl1987 · 31/08/2021 23:00

@H8H8H8 oh imposter syndrome is the worst! I suffer from this and it is really crippling!

Original poster
ivfbabymomma1 · 01/09/2021 18:17

Thank you everyone I will look at imposter syndrome and also CBT! I'm glad I'm not alone even though I wish we didn't suffer, I felt sick driving in this morning. Once I was in it was absolutely fine and nothing bad happened but still the dread I felt on my day off made the day off not bloody worth it!!! I felt like I'd called in sick (which I never do due to this anxiety x100) 😬

OP posts:
QueenHofScotland · 01/09/2021 18:19

A little but not to the extent you describe.

Whysotired · 01/09/2021 18:38

Yes!! I usually have to log on at least once a day to check emails.. just to calm the anxiety. Only time it was ever full resolved was when I was on MAT leave.

Buggerthebotox · 03/09/2021 07:24

Yup. I work 4 days and I simply can't relax on my day off.

I've no idea what do do about it.

I've got a week off soon (I rarely take leave because of the dread of going back) and am I looking forward to it? No. Grin.

Nothing to suggest - acknowledging your pain, OP.

burritofan · 03/09/2021 08:25

Yes! I spent a recent holiday just an absolute wreck about a piece of work I’d turned in just before the holiday. By the time I went back I’d worked myself up to being not only fired but yelled at and humiliated. And… it was fine? The client gave good feedback? So WHY was I so sick about it?!

I didn’t used to be this way about work, it’s definitely got worse since having a kid and a house (bigger outgoings and more to lose if I lose a job), but also since realising I don’t want to do my job anyway – possibly I’m anxious they’ll spot that I’m secretly retraining for something else…

Eesha · 04/09/2021 05:49

I think I have imposter syndrome myself and dread work at times even though I'm contracting. I forget my strengths and focus on the bits I'm lacking in, but I do this generally in life. However Op, it is so much more common than you think and I think everyone wings it to an extent and what I try and think is I put the effort in and that's all I can do. Perhaps CBT is the way forward.

Original poster
ivfbabymomma1 · 04/09/2021 18:20

I'm sorry you are all suffering like this too! I promise if I ever find a cure I'll come back and let you know the secret 😂😘

OP posts:
Buggerthebotox · 05/09/2021 08:38

I've often wondered if certain personality types are more prone. I tend to be very critical (and self - critical) and wonder if a more chilled attitude to life in general would help.

GoodnightGrandma · 05/09/2021 08:41

Can I ask if you’re female and peri menopause age ?
The reason I ask is because I’ve become like this since starting with peri menopause. I think about things I’ve done and said in the day, wondering if it was ok and what people think of what I said/me.. I sometimes lie awake in bed at night thinking about it.

Original poster
ivfbabymomma1 · 06/09/2021 22:09

@GoodnightGrandma I'm 33 & female so I don't think so? I hope not anyway 🤣

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread