Anxiety of thinking about going back to work!!??
Hi,
So I been out of work for 2 years now and I feel like I have become a hermit. I am staying at home with the kids for right now so I can finish school and it is hard to find good help these days. I want to go back to work! The more I think about going back to work the more my heart races and then my anxiety level goes up. I think with staying home I have create a shell for myself. We really don't do much since there really isn't money for that. What can I tell that independent person who wants to go back to work? I am not sure when I will be going back to work. It is in the back of my head and it keeps popping up and that is when I start to freak out. I am just venting but maybe someone out there can give me some advice. I feel like the hermit will just take completly over.. Hugs and smiles!!
You'll do great. Don't worry. Just believe in yourself
Hi AloneJoyful
I read your post and wanted to respond as Im currently (and have previously) been in the situation of having bad anxiety about returning to work after time out.
I think it's completely normal to feel anxious about it - it is after all a change and transition which stretches our comfort zone.
I've found it very overwhelming and it sends my anxiety into overdrive. The best way I've found of dealing with it is to do very, very little steps at a time. I guess it's a bit like exposure therapy in that you work up to returning to work in stages.
For example, I try to set up my toolbox of self care techniques first, so I'm looking after myself ready to start stretching my comfort zone. For me, this means taking daily walks in the fresh air, guided meditations, breathing exercises and relaxing in a hot bath. All of this makes things seem more manageable.
I then turn my attention to tackling my anxiety thoughts which tend to spiral. I use some of the CBT techniques to do this. Things like writing the fear down and then challenging it by looking at what about is factual and evidence based, and what is just the anxiety giving me worse case scenarios. I then rewrite the fear in a more rational and balanced way.
I find my thinking seems to become all or nothing, focused on all the terrible things that might happen rather than any of the good or neutral outcomes which are equally likely.
I also try to plan little steps towards returning to work.
@GlassStar this was helpful as I have left my job recently in which I've been doing for the past 10 years to start my own business.I am proud of people who are happy in life. I get bored easily and find that I need to do something different whether it be a new company or a position.
It's always just in our head but can be overwhelming.
@GlassStar
Hello,
Thank you. I have done the writing things down and seeing what the issue is. I really haven't done it with my fears or with my anxiety. I will definitly try. Baby steps is always good. That I will be doing so sure.
Thanks again.
