Returning to Work

[Samsal112]

I am a teacher and am going back to work next week. I am so anxious about having to go back. For three years, I kept saying I would take a year off due to benzo withdrawal, but I have never had the courage to do so. I spent my summer teaching summer school and working on my PhD instead of focusing on my health. My classroom is no where near ready and I am worried about how I am going to handle student behavior with the intense brain fog due to occipital neuralgia and the fatigue. I have put on 50 lbs since I have been sick and that brings its own struggles. I am so worried about returning to work.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I can completely understand where you are coming from. I get really anxious about stuff too and having a break only makes it more frightening to get back in to work.

Sounds stupid but I've worked alone on a freelance basis for years (even prior to the pandemic). Just having a Zoom meeting today with someone I hadn't met got me in a state.

I relate on how you feel about your weight gain also. I have gained weight and I feel really embarrassed about how I look.

I really admire you for teaching. Do you enjoy it? I really hope it won't be as daunting as you think. Sometimes things end up slightly better than we anticipate. Sounds good that you taught at Summer school- hopefully that gave you a small introduction back? Still, I realise that it would have been nice to rest and focus on your health.

Are there any ways you can prepare yourself more for the first day back? To make it as least complicated and stressful as possible? I hope the school gives you support. Really good luck.

 

[LifeHasNoOptIn]

I return to work for the first time in 2 years about 2 weeks from now. I can definitely relate to the feeling of anxiety and wish I had some useful advice, but hopefully it will all work out. Being a teacher is such an underappreciated job and such an important contribution to society. I wish the position would bring the recognition and thanks it deserves. Best of luck to you

 

[Samsal112]

I can completely understand where you are coming from. I get really anxious about stuff too and having a break only makes it more frightening to get back in to work.

Sounds stupid but I've worked alone on a freelance basis for years (even prior to the pandemic). Just having a Zoom meeting today with someone I hadn't met got me in a state.

I relate on how you feel about your weight gain also. I have gained weight and I feel really embarrassed about how I look.

I really admire you for teaching. Do you enjoy it? I really hope it won't be as daunting as you think. Sometimes things end up slightly better than we anticipate. Sounds good that you taught at Summer school- hopefully that gave you a small introduction back? Still, I realise that it would have been nice to rest and focus on your health.

Are there any ways you can prepare yourself more for the first day back? To make it as least complicated and stressful as possible? I hope the school gives you support. Really good luck.

Thank you so much for the support! I appreciate you reminding me that sometimes things end up better than we anticipate; my therapist has been trying to get me to remember that. I do love teaching, but it is difficult when going through benzo withdrawal and not being allowed caffeine. I enjoy the students, but in recent years, they have gotten so disrespectful that it tends to put me in fight or flight.

I hope that your Zoom meeting went well!

I return to work for the first time in 2 years about 2 weeks from now. I can definitely relate to the feeling of anxiety and wish I had some useful advice, but hopefully it will all work out. Being a teacher is such an underappreciated job and such an important contribution to society. I wish the position would bring the recognition and thanks it deserves. Best of luck to you

Thank you so much for your support!

Congratulations on going back to work!! Please let me know how your first week goes. I will be rooting for you as well!

 

[FuneralCry]

That sounds stressful what you are going through and I can imagine that it must be really hard having to deal with that. I'm sorry that you suffer. I wish you the best with what you are doing.

 

[ewigeruhe]

I am a teacher and am going back to work next week. I am so anxious about having to go back. For three years, I kept saying I would take a year off due to benzo withdrawal, but I have never had the courage to do so. I spent my summer teaching summer school and working on my PhD instead of focusing on my health. My classroom is no where near ready and I am worried about how I am going to handle student behavior with the intense brain fog due to occipital neuralgia and the fatigue. I have put on 50 lbs since I have been sick and that brings its own struggles. I am so worried about returning to work.

I understand this feeling very good while still working. I dreaded going back after vacation or weekends every single time entirely irrational but i couldn't help it.
I think my fear was that i couldn't manage my mask that i wear well enough to hide my true self after that absences from my colleagues.

Also a bit off topic but give this beautiful old movie a try.

 

[Samsal112]

I understand this feeling very good while still working. I dreaded going back after vacation or weekends every single time entirely irrational but i couldn't help it.
I think my fear was that i couldn't manage my mask that i wear well enough to hide my true self after that absences from my colleagues.

Also a bit off topic but give this beautiful old movie a try.

Thank you for the support and movie recommendation!

 

[GreenTree]

Fair play going to work. You have incredible strength.