Already feel sick about work on Monday

[youcanstayhere]

It always happens, halfway through a holiday I just dread going back.

I know the obvious answer is to find a new job but for a myriad of reasons that’s difficult. Also I do feel like it’s just the industry I work in.

Anyone else feeling sick about it?

Yep.

Support role in large secondary school. Was a toss up between bringing work home over the two weeks or prioritising down time and catching up at home. Now regretting opting for the latter, despite having been unwell with a virus since the beginning of December.

I'm trying to get my positive head on for Monday...

You're probably a teacher! I'm not looking forward to going back but not dreading it now that I work in FE. Got my work/life balance now. Try to find another job. There is work out there which you won't dread but teaching is so full on if that's what you do.

Another teacher here, dreading it. I too am trying to focus on the positives. We can do this xxx

I am actually excited about going back on Monday as I love my job. But is taken me till I was in my 40s to find a job where I felt like this. I used to feel just like you, and then I decided that finding a job I loved, with slightly less hours, was worth going for, even though it's a job that didn't pay quite so well. I've now been there nearly three years and the feeling hasn't gone! And my mental health has improved massively, and this means I'm happier at home as well as I'm less stressed.

Are you a social worker by any chance 🙈😩

Teacher here- I can completely relate. Eventually, I came to the realisation that life is far too short. I set up a business as a private tutor, initially alongside teaching in school part time too. The tutoring is now my full time job and has comfortably replaced my teaching salary as assistant head. The only regret I have is not doing sooner. Maybe 2026 is the year for change….?

Interesting. I've been considering doing the same but it's hard to make up the same money tutoring primary pupils without giving up every weekday evening and weekend.

OP - it's the same every year. You have so much time off over Christmas it seems never-ending and soooo boring. People need routine and getting back to normal. I think by lunchtime on Monday, you will absolutely fine!

I work in a school too - I understand the dread. After a day or two it will be like you’ve never been away…

Aww, c'mon teachers. We love you, we need you, our kids need you. You are fabulous. Xx

Jan and Feb are such grim months in school too especially after Sept-Dec…. In fact Jan-April is grim…! That’s most of the academic year.

I work Monday to Friday- hours are roughly 3-9:30pm but on Fridays I only work until 6:30. I don’t work weekends. Late nights but the trade off is having the day free. I am a primary teacher but I have a few year 7-9 for filling gaps in learning.

I work in a school too.. I feel you 😞

No, I'm actually quite looking forward to seeing my students. I'm not looking forward to everything on my to do list between now and Monday, which I have left right till the last minute. But it will be great to see my classes and finding out about their Christmas as the last week of term was a complete blur.

I never used to mind the first day back as a teacher but hugely resented having to do so much planning and prep over the Christmas holidays in order to feel even remotely ready for the new term. It was overwhelming at times and I used to panic so much. Thankfully I was able to retire at 55 and haven’t looked back.
Good luck for the spring term.

I sympathise. I am due back tomorrow after having 2 months off due to being ill during my pregnancy. I'm still not 100% better but I have to go back as I'm only getting SSP now which will affect my SMP entitlement. I am due to go on maternity leave in March and I am counting down the days.

https://www.adventuresafterteaching.com/fp/leaving-teaching-in-2026 👈🏼 Adventures After Teaching’s 💛 Leaving Teaching in 2026 webinar (not sure if links are allowed so please remove if not admins ☺️)

How many professions can't book a single day of annual leave over the Christmas and New year time?
Spare a thought for people without jobs.
Spare a thought for people with a week left to live.
Does it really help?

I have been a teacher for 18 years.

Whilst I've not worked for 6 months due to caring responsibilities, and I hate the fact so many of us experience it, I am glad I am not the only one who dreaded returning to work. In fact I dreaded most days, felt anxiety on the way in to work (sometimes over nothing in particular), oake at 4am to complete planning and marking before my own children got up. What is it about the job that causes this? I felt like my adrenaline and cortisol levels are running high at all times and I never got a chance to return to baseline.

I dont think I'll return to the job.

Behaviour this year is shocking … I never used to particularly subscribe to the view it’s got notably worse but I’ve really noticed it with my classes this year.

I absolutely can book annual leave over Christmas. However I get 25 days annual leave, and my kids get far more school holidays than that (no suitable childcare options for my disabled youngest) so DH and I have to cover school holidays between us (we don’t get any annual leave together). This year I worked Christmas while DH was off… we alternate.

Look, let’s not bicker about it. It isn’t the holidays I have an issue with, although I really can’t help the fact teachers get long holidays in comparison to other professions. I know there are worse jobs. This isn’t a logical feeling I can chase away with ‘others have it worse,’ it’s really dominated my holiday.

Same. I need a new job.

I was just responding to the PP’s question.

Just to wish you the best of luck and good health too x