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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

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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) 😬

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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 😂😘

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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 🤣

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