Post by iheartbroccoli on Jul 26, 2016 13:53:30 GMT -5
Big hugs. I took about 8 weeks off from work (my maternity leave was supposed to be 3 months).
I had reservations about bringing in a picture of Theo to work. I didn't feel like my coworkers deserve to see him, still feel that way actually. So my therapist recommended I bring in something that is symbolic of Theo, and for that is koala bears. My desktop background is a koala bear and when people comment they like it, I take it as a compliment of Theo.
I would bring headphones so you can put them in and tune everyone out if you need to. I sent out an email to coworkers I was close with, letting them know how I would like to be treated (was I ok with being asked about Theo, what to do if I had my headphones in, etc). Some listened, some didn't.
At first I found work a great distraction, but soon I began having a hard time concentrating. So I started doing work in short spurts. I.E. work for an hour, take a 5 minute break. I bribe myself to get stuff done, and sometimes I scare myself into thinking my boss will fire me if I don't finish the project. I keep gum on hand as that helps me concentrate sometimes. Sometimes these don't work. And when that happens I tell my boss I'm going on an extended lunch. Fortunately my boss is flexible.
If you have an understanding boss, I would keep him in the loop (to an extent) about how you're doing. I saw a decrease in my productivity at work and my boss cut me some slack because I kept him in the loop.
Most of all, be kind to yourself. Do whatever you need to do. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts. Big hugs.
I had reservations about bringing in a picture of Theo to work. I didn't feel like my coworkers deserve to see him, still feel that way actually. So my therapist recommended I bring in something that is symbolic of Theo, and for that is koala bears. My desktop background is a koala bear and when people comment they like it, I take it as a compliment of Theo.
I would bring headphones so you can put them in and tune everyone out if you need to. I sent out an email to coworkers I was close with, letting them know how I would like to be treated (was I ok with being asked about Theo, what to do if I had my headphones in, etc). Some listened, some didn't.
At first I found work a great distraction, but soon I began having a hard time concentrating. So I started doing work in short spurts. I.E. work for an hour, take a 5 minute break. I bribe myself to get stuff done, and sometimes I scare myself into thinking my boss will fire me if I don't finish the project. I keep gum on hand as that helps me concentrate sometimes. Sometimes these don't work. And when that happens I tell my boss I'm going on an extended lunch. Fortunately my boss is flexible.
If you have an understanding boss, I would keep him in the loop (to an extent) about how you're doing. I saw a decrease in my productivity at work and my boss cut me some slack because I kept him in the loop.
Most of all, be kind to yourself. Do whatever you need to do. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts. Big hugs.