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?

I've been in work through the festive season, I did have four days off over Christmas. To be honest I'm glad of the routine, I'll be glad when everyone else is back at work though it makes my job easier.

I’m a teacher and completely understand how you feel, I enjoy the job but this year things have been really tough and the stressful days have significantly outnumbered the good ones. I am very grateful that I’ve had 2 weeks to rest and recuperate but definitely don’t feel ready to go back and the dread is getting greater each day as Monday looms. I don’t have children so my break has been exactly that and I still feel like this so can certainly empathise with you considering you haven’t even had the same chance to recharge.

I taught for 12 years and people don't quite believe it when I tell them the holidays aren't worth it. It used to take me the whole two weeks at Christmas to recover from the term and as soon as I felt human again, the new term started.

I've had jobs with 5am starts up to and including Xmas Eve (Royal Mail). I've had retail jobs where I worked six days before Xmas, had Xmas Day off, and worked through from Boxing Day until New Year's Day. I've worked New Year's Day. And I now work in a job where I get up to two weeks off over Xmas and am paid a lot more.

The job I do now is harder than both Royal Mail and retail, in all respects other than holiday, hours, pay, and standing for long periods. I get to sit, I work office hours, I get generous holiday, and I get a decent salary. I also can bring a taught module or a research project crashing to a halt if I make a mistake, potentially costing tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds. I have to work with some extremely unpleasant people who are apparently untouchable in terms of complaints because they have "Prof" in front of their names or "Dean" in their job titles, and, unlike rude customers in a shop who I will probably never see again, I have to deal with those same people repeatedly. I have a migraine today, because I know I have to go back on Monday and I don't want to.

My point is not to attempt any kind of oneupmanship or repeat the Four Yorkshiremen sketch, but to use my own experiences to remind posters that different jobs are unpleasant in different ways and the aspect of someone else's job that you envy will be countered by another aspect that you'd hate. None of us are working as icecream tasters on six-figure salaries, are we?

I’m back tomorrow and utterly dreading it. I’ll be sneaking out whilst my DH & DC stay snuggled up asleep. It’s the worst.

I was always apprehensive after any holiday, I would give my right arm to go back now I’m retired. All I do is look after my grandchildren and my 93 year old dad.

I’m not very good at my job either @Switcher and that brings a whole new anxiety on top of just not liking your job.

I have ADHD and because I find my industry SO boring, I’ve never really been able to retain any information or give a single fuck about it. But, I need the money!

Then change it if nothing else will fix it.

It's hard to find any job, but worth a try.

Not many people jump for joy at going back to work/school.

Ex teacher and I sympathise. Best thing I did was leave. Wish I'd done it sooner.

After 18 months recovery (hadn't realised how much my mental health had suffered - I was a shell of myself by the time I got out), living off credit cards and struggling, I am finally ready to look for work again.

I’m not a teacher but I have major work dread for Monday. Luckily I’ve got today off and we’ve had a lovely winter break away post Christmas but that hasn’t stopped the sinking feeling creeping in. I used to love my job but the company has changed beyond all recognition these last two years plus I’ve been given a role that feels like a bad fit and pointless.

Counting down to the next holding February, planning my summer holiday and kicking off the job hunt are my priorities for this weekend.

I'm cursing why I didn't book Friday off. Hoping its dead quiet and I can fade back in. I have insomnia 😐

Perhaps you could do with some English lessons.
I said a few weeks: a few does not mean two.
I was trying to find something positive for people to focus on, preferably while making an effort to change what is clearly not making them happy in their lives.

Hello, teacher here, nightmare last night that when I returned to work I had two Ofsted inspectors in my classroom. My board pens were not working, I was late to class and couldn’t find my lesson on laptop …. plus police in the corridor

One thing I did learn moving industry is that everything is audited. When I go back to work next week it’s straight into audit prep as we have an audit. E.g FDA etc and we could have 3-4 audits a year. And yes they can make you feel just as shit as ofsted 🤣🤣

No, I’ve not misunderstood. You feel anxious about returning to a tough job (that it sounds like you don’t particularly enjoy) after a long Christmas break.

I don’t want to be a teacher thanks, that was an active decision as a teenager after being surrounded by teachers growing up. I went into my career knowing that I would never have long holidays, nor get many Bank Holidays off.

I cannot relate to how you’re feeling about returning to work. It doesn’t sound healthy and is something that could be changed if you feel brave enough.

Maybe when you go.in, ask for a phased return, perhaps Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings only first week, 3 full days following week then see how you feel. Good luck.

No

Hilarious to quote the wrong post when you are being rude.

Dreading it too. 😆 I know I'll be fine and back into the swing of things after the first few days but my god, I love being at home, kids off and everything just being slow and enjoyable. Silly things like being able to walk the dog whenever we want as opposed to the mad morning rush, then work then getting home having to sort the kids out, walk the dog and cook and clean in such a small space of time.

Currently planning on how we are going to make our millions and retire early 😆

Sympathies. January and February are just the worst which makes the dread worse.

I know from experience that after the first day back I will actually feel a bit better though.

7 weeks.

That seemed a really unnecessary and unhelpful post.

I would give my right arm to go back now I’m retired. All I do is look after my grandchildren and my 93 year old dad.

Come on, surely there is choice here?! If you hate your life and would give your right arm to go back to work, make changes. How old are you? Go back to work...do some volunteering...get some hobbies. You're a person with free will and the ability to make choices, surely?!

I completely feel this. In a different public sector industry with similar pressures and the dread is real. So is the feeling of being trapped, irrational or not, its not a nice feeling. Im just trying to focus on the time we have spent together as a family, memories made etc. I also tell myself repeatedly that nothing lasts forever!

Work has been a shitshow all last year (double the work and half the team), ended up off with work and family stress. Felt loads better and the return to work support has been appalling. It blew up before Christmas so God knows what new year will bring.

Dealing with additional family stress at home, things need to change this year. I want to reduce my hours and plan my longer term exit! I can’t stand corporate bullshit anymore!

It feels like a short time to me as I’m used to working much longer before my next holiday.
It’s a short enough period for anyone so unhappy in their chosen career to make changes while tolerating the wait for a break.
I feel so sorry for people on here being made ill by their feelings about the job. It sounds like a miserable life and I hope at least some will find a way out.
Best wishes to everyone.