Trying

[larae0526]

How do you have the courage to face people after taking time away? I must go back to work today but don't know how?? Advice please. All I want to do is hide from the world what do you tell people?? How are you feeling, did you have a nice vacation?? I just have so much anxiety and I don't know if I can do this.

[Hidden]

Hi you tell people as much as you are comfortable with. If you don't want to say much just say you had a great time thanks. After all it's no one elses business except yours.

Just go in with a smile on your face and get stuck into your work. You will soon feel at home again.

[larae0526 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I made it to lunchtime. Just need to finish out the day. I think anxiety makes it worse.

[Hidden in reply to larae0526]

Definitely! You are doing great so you can do this.

[larae0526 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the support.

[Hidden]

I honestly told people I needed personal time to myself to stay sane and cracked a joke "what like we all don't need a little personal time away from this job?" That's my way of coping. Jokes. Inappropriate jokes.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Nothing wrong in joking about it. A sense of humour can save your life sometimes.

[larae0526 in reply to Hidden]

My random sense of humor is why I'm able to continue to still dread going to work days like today. Luckily no one asked. Then again maybe they don't care about me?! Rude. Ha. But isn't that how our minds work. Please ignore me....ugh no one cares 😜

[CPLogan in reply to larae0526]

People do care, they probably feel awkward asking. Each day will get better

[Hidden in reply to larae0526]

Once we have gotten used to a pattern of living a day, it becomes a habit. Right now you are breaking a habit of not being at work. Any change can be difficult because it is new and takes more energy and attention.

Changing a life pattern and making it a habit will happen again to include you being at work. The more times you d it, the easier the habit becomes.

And, it's not uncommon for people to ask where you've been, etc., as they may think they are intruding and you will tell them something if you want. Don't think that you weren't missed or not noticed. Some people are taught that one of the social graces is not to ask personal questions because you may not want to share some personal things.

But we care, and you now that and we know it's ok with you to ask personal questions about you.

You're ok and we are always here.

[lostgirl75]

Hi Larae

I get the same feeling because I have a really stressful job. I don't know how I'm going to face people or what I'm going to tell them. I was always the strong one then one day I cracked. I feel like a egg that was boiled and slowly I cracked until the shell was all gone. I love what I do but an terrified to go back to work.

More advice is needed for me too.

Good luck and I hope you have a good day. But I do think honesty may be the key.

[menagerie11]

It can be very scary to go back to work. I recently went back and it went much better than what I was expecting. Again, the more you do it, the easier it becomes - which doesn't mean that I am free of anxiety, but I am doing it anyhow. Gradual, baby steps. Good luck!

[Justswimming]

People mostly just focus on themselves so just throw some compliment s oh love those shoes etc talk about a movie you want to see etc you don't need to go deep with work people keep it light between Trumps latest tweet to the Kardasians you have enough topics

[Banshee82]

It's not easy facing others when you feel you just want to climb out of your body and get as far away from it as possible! You will manage. I know it doesn't feel that way, but know that the distraction of work and others around you can help you. I'm not sure what type of work you do, but in my work I face people all the time and its hard when you have that horrible feeling lingering all over your body.

Be gentle with yourself, take deep breaths, even if it feels like that's all you are doing, keep going with it. What I do in the mornings on my way to work is I listen uplifting mood music. There is a list you can find on Popsugar: popsugar.com.au/smart-livin...

Listen to it on your way to work, even sing along with it out loud. Keep telling yourself that this too shall pass. Add a lot of positive thoughts and things to your day. Go out of your office frequently to get a couple of minutes of sunshine and fresh air.

These are the things that made it bearable for me at work. I also take my runners to work and instead of going out for lunch I go for a half hour walk.

All the best. I know it is so hard and everyday is a huge challenge in itself, especially when you feel like you're watching other people around you and wish you could just experience that feeling of "normality" they feel, even if it's just for a moment. You can get through it. Most important, stop allowing your mind to take control. Distract it with thoughts that don't put you in the state you're in, because you're in control of it.

[Lisau2]

The anxiety thinking about something is always worse then the event itself, (I find!) Good to keep in mind in case it crops up again!