Back to work! But my mind was elsewhere...
By silentwill
@silentwill (1685)
Philippines
October 27, 2012 1:34pm CST
Some of you may remember I got in an accident and had to take 3 months off work to recuperate. Those 3 months have ended and last week I decided to get back to work even though I had the option to extend my vacation to up to two more weeks.
And so from Monday to Friday, I was back to my old routines. First couple of days were marked by warm welcome backs from my team and while Monday may be considered as productive, I had to work on a task involving my team's pay and got it completed on time, the remaining 4 days were not with me giving myself the excuse that I was still reorienting myself, 3 months after all was a long time to be away from your job. But it isn't just that. I was physically there but my mind wasn't. I kept thinking about my baby who turned one-month old on the first day I got back to work. I kept thinking of my dad who passed away a couple of weeks ago and how much I miss him and how is my mom doing with only her sister with her in our province. I kept thinking about my bed and how I'd gotten used to sleeping at night again and a couple of times I dozed off at my desk.
I have not regained my motivation yet, and my pending loooong weekend next week will not help it either.
Have any of you taken a long time off work and felt the same way when you got back? How did you get your focus back? Or is it just me because major things happened just right before my "vacation" ended?
2 people like this
15 responses
@joycseer (845)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 12
Hi silentwill, sorry to hear that you got in an accident although it was 3 months ago. Hopefully you have fully recovered by now. =) Seems like you have so much to think about, why not take the advise and extend your vacation for another 2 more weeks? Then you can go and meet your family members and regain your motivation and strength before starting work so that your thoughts and worries does not affect your work later on.
For my case, it was easy for me to regain my motivation because it was my peak period for my closing time. I am doing accounting and finance, so when i came back from long vacation, the deadlines forced me to finish up the outstanding tasks for submission. So, after that busy peak period, i was back to normal routine work life. =)
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
29 Oct 12
I'm afraid it will take years for me to be fully recovered again if it will happen at all. I can no longer use my left arm as much as I could before. Lifting heavy objects is forbidden assuming I can even lift them. But thankfully I can still use it for my basic needs likeusing a fork, scrubbing my body when taking a bath and typing, the one I needed most to be able to perform my duties in the office.
As for taking another vacation yes I am definitely up for that and I feel I'll have a better mindset after this one.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
28 Oct 12
I see that you've been on a 'forced' vacation which probably has given you the much needed rest. I understand well how it is to switch back to working mode after freeing your mind of those dreaded routine in the employment world. Well, you need not burden your mind on the outside events but concentrate what is in front of you. After all your job is your rice bowl that is important to you and that of your family. It is only fair that you bring your heart and mind to your job despite the long layoff.
For me it is a different story altogether. I am a self declared pensioner and having to face the four walls of my house everyday I am always eager to find a route of escaping from the prison walls of my home. A vacation to a far away land is a sure way to spice up my life.
2 people like this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
I'm trying but I think in my case it's a combination of the forced vacation coinciding with major events in my life. I probably need to take care first of the personal matter I didn't get to finished before I went to work. Good thing that I'll have another opportunity to do that.
Hope you get that vacation you're longing for soon! zandi458!
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
27 Oct 12
Hey silenwill,
I have been in the same situation as you after I got depression 10 years back. I could not concentrate on my work but kept thinking about the incident that happenned. I have been resigned and later get on flexible job which offers me flexible time and I can keep on thinking what I want to think and do with no interruption, but I can feel you like this job though. If that is the case, I can advise you to take a few more days, more of the reason is the daddy you love has gone and baby needs to be taken care of, you will get calm and motivated again after a month or two, trust me, it depends on person's ability. 
2 people like this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
Hi wongchoiyee! Thank you for sharing!
You might be right. I guess I still wanted to continue my mourning for my dad and at the same time have the opportunity to spend more time with my baby. The fact that I know I have the option of not yet getting back to work for 2 more weeks may be at the back of my mind nagging me. However I felt a bit ashamed that 3 months wouldn't be eniugh for me and I knew my boss and my subordinates are waiting for me. I guess I could say I like my job enough so resigning is not the option I'm looking for here. But hopefully this next time off will be enough for me to do what I'd like to do, and get my bearings back to return to form on my next comeback.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
29 Oct 12
You have certainly had a lot to deal with this year. It is only natural for you to be experiencing this kind of preoccupation under the circumstances. However, if things don't change soon, it may be time to consider another job. Sometimes when difficulties or losses occur, it makes us think about what we really want from our lives. Is your current job fulfilling?
1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
29 Oct 12
My job is 'fine' I guess. I've learned not to hate it and at times even like it. It'll be also hard to find a new one with a competitive pay. For now quitting it is not an option, but as I have written in another discussion, my priorities are changing and I wish to be able to quit my job and find something else to do in another place that's closer to my heart and home.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
I think that is a normal reaction for someone who has been away for quite sometime from work. I am sure your good old self will be back in a few days.
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
I don't doubt I'll be back to form soon. I just wish it would be soon enough since we're going to undergo some major changes (again) in the office.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Well, then you must need to push yourself a bit harder, I guess. I am hoping you will be to the way you left off and even better.
I am hoping you will be to the way you left off and even better.
@missjahn (4574)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
hi there..
there were really times like that. that we are not yet ready to face to another task as if doing the regular routine would be so boring. did you enjoy your resting times or there is something that is bothering you that is why you cannot proceed and continue the tasks thereafter.
just have focus and set your mind as you face your old routine. just say that i should do this. or yet, just appear in the office, i guess, you will be happy seeing your colleagues and officemates. i guess the thrill would occur in the office itself. or if it is not working, resumed till you are completely motivated and okay. i guess, you need to straightened your psychological drive. good luck
1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Well I'm going on break again but after that I will definitely make sure I'll have both my feet back in.
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
I'd lie if I say I did not enjoy being on rest for a long time. At first it was boring because I've been working for 8 years and have gotten used to the office routine for such a long time. But then somewhere along the way I began to enjoy it, even under such circumtances. But more so than that is the emotional ride I went through on the last month of my 'vacation'. Whereas I could've been readying myself to have a mindset that I'm going back to work and must quickly get back on track to make up for such a long absence, I had to deal with the mixed feelings of joy and pain. And even if I had the chance to extend my vacation to try to set my mind clear I chose not to do that. And that may have been my mistake. I was physically ready but mentally and emotionally I was such a wreck. Thankfully there's still a chance to remedy that. I'm only working for two days this coming week then I'll take a time off once more and this time I'll focus on fixing myself. Thanks missjahn!
@missjahn (4574)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
you are welcome... just have a mindset for everything you want to do. this one will motivate you to do it without getting tired. i guess, just normal like that when enjoyed what we are doing then we want to breath from the old task we usually did, so that is why when we are about come back, the other half of our leg is being left being which made us to be hesitant. just go and go... thanks
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
27 Oct 12
Anytime you have to take some time off of work it is hard to get back in the swing of things. Especially when it involves anything Medically. I know personally anytime I have had too for very long it has always been hard, and really wish I could continue to do so. Even right now with everything going on if I could survive Financially I would do like the Doctors want and take some time off.
1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Hi KrauseHome, thank you for sharing!
Regarding my condition although my fractured arm is no longer as good as before and still need extra care I can already totally function and have the capacity to do all the things I do at work a month during my rest period. In fact we tried to get an approval if I can be allowed to work from home for the remaining 2 months but even though my doctor says it's okay since it is really the hassle of travelling via public transportation that he wanted me to avoid, it is our human resource department which did not give the go signal.
So in my case it's really not because I'm still sick or feel pain that I can't be as productive and proficient as I used to. In fact I don't feel any pain at all anymore unles if I put too much force on my fracture or try to lift something heavy maybe. It's just numb and that I can live with. It's really more of an emotional burden I have right now that is taking away my focus.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
29 Oct 12
Every year we have a two-month summer vacation. After we finish our vacation and come back to school, the first few days I usually find it hard to concentrate on my work because my mood and state of work are not back yet. Then it takes some time for me to come back to normal teaching activities. It is the same with most of my students though. Thanks for the discussion and have a good day, silentwill.
1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
29 Oct 12
I guess you're used to dealing with that because it is part of your profession. I have a couple of friends who also work at school and I'm usually envious everytime they get a long break usually around December-January and April-June.
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
28 Oct 12
I think what you are feeling is normal , taking such long time off it will take time for you to adjust to the working environment . Beside you sound to have a lot on your mind and a young baby at home .
1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Yes it is a combination of both. And I think I need to take care of my personal issues first before I can get my focus back at work.
@rberon1985 (5359)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Good to hear that you are back to workCobgratulationsbecause you already regain your energy and can start working already.I hope we get the chance to meet if you have free time.It is already a common practice in our company that we should have to pass our metrics so the team won't be affected.but they should understand you because you are still coping up with the account because I'm sure they are some changes with the process. They should not only be one sided. they should have also look into the situation.
I understand you, being out for 3 months will really give you a lot of adjustments,especially if you are used to sleep at night for a long time. don't worry, sooner or later you can adjust to the situation, you just have to motivate yourself.
[b] A srong person knows how to keep
their life in order..even with
tears in their eyes,they still
to manage to say I'm okay"
with a smile[/b]
Cobgratulationsbecause you already regain your energy and can start working already.I hope we get the chance to meet if you have free time.It is already a common practice in our company that we should have to pass our metrics so the team won't be affected.but they should understand you because you are still coping up with the account because I'm sure they are some changes with the process. They should not only be one sided. they should have also look into the situation.
I understand you, being out for 3 months will really give you a lot of adjustments,especially if you are used to sleep at night for a long time. don't worry, sooner or later you can adjust to the situation, you just have to motivate yourself.
[b] A srong person knows how to keep
their life in order..even with
tears in their eyes,they still
to manage to say I'm okay"
with a smile[/b]@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Hi rberon1985! Yes I reported back to work last Monday and completed the whole week. Our line of work is different from your department so those aren't really the problems I have to deal with but I just can't focus. Maybe we can find time to meet. I'll be at work tomorrow and on Tuesday but after that I'll be on vacation again, so if we couldn't meet then probably when I get back. I'll just send you a message. Thanks!
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
After I graduated, I have never had a very long vacation. Except maybe for my 2 days off and my paid leaves which doesn't last a week, I don't think I've had months off that I wasn't doing any work. I longest vacation I've had was 4-5 days off. And even with that, I still don't feel productive when I get back to work. How much more with your case. That must have been very hard and that will really take time for you to be really getting back to your normal work routine. Just try to take it one step at a time and mind set as well. Sometimes, everything we do is all in the mind. We think we are not use to it but we really know deep within that we know it, it's just that our body is too lazy to do things because our mind is setting it on a lazy mode.
1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
29 Oct 12
Wow aren't you the workaholic one? Why not take at least a full week off? I live taking those even once or twice a year. Yes it's true you get lazy the first few days that you get back to work but it's a small price to pay for the relaxation and peace of mind it can give you. I think we owe it to ourselves to do that once in a while.
As for my case, yeah it's different and rather to the extreme but I think I'll be fine. I just need to work on the things bothering me right now and when I get back again I should at least some of my focus back.
@Astroboy13 (57)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Welcome back to the boring world! Just hang in there bro in no time you will be back to your old self again and turn into a robot like the rest of us.
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
29 Oct 12
Haha yeah that has some truth to it. I've become human again after being away from work for such a long time and now I need to be turned into a machine again to be fully productive.
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
28 Oct 12
well everyone gets different thoughts while at work,we need to control ourself and pick ourself up,its just a matter of relaxation time
1 person likes this
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
Yes, yes, always!
Every Monday, I always feel this way!
Especially when I just came off a long weekend or coming from a vacation. The feeling of not working really gets into me and still has an aftershock when I am at work. Good thing that my office mates are understanding enough to consider my situation when I came back to work. Of course, almost all of us feel the same way coming off away from work!
Every Monday, I always feel this way! Especially when I just came off a long weekend or coming from a vacation. The feeling of not working really gets into me and still has an aftershock when I am at work. Good thing that my office mates are understanding enough to consider my situation when I came back to work. Of course, almost all of us feel the same way coming off away from work!1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
You have a Monday sickness and I can totally relate with that. In our office a lot of our employees also suffer from that. Not only because Monday is the first work day of the week but because it's also by far the busiest for us. The combination is something that exhausts the employees at the start of the week and make the the rest of the week seem so long.
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
That thing happens to me as always when I just came from a long vacation. I just let it go, the feelings of "my-mind-was-elsewhere" or "my-mind-is-wandering". Sometimes, I will share the stories to my office mates and friends. And without knowing it, I may lost the "fever" and would eventually back to my normal self. The feeling fades in days, I think. Looking forward for a long vacation soon. This week will be a busy week for me though. Thanks
1 person likes this
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
Hi Bhebelen14! Thank you for sharing. I'm sure that in time I'd get back to my old self when I'm working but I feel that if I do nothing and just wait for it this time, it may take a while and I'll end up being unproductive for days, even weeks. I haven't tried talking about it to someone so that's something I'll keep in mind. But then again on second thought, here I am already, talking about it here in mylot.et's see if that helps!
