OK, so, sometimes I have real issues getting to work. I work two days a week, and my sickness record is awful. I had four months of last year when I was sectioned, and then I have days off sometimes because I get really anxious and don't feel like I can go. So I hide in my bed. Not helpful. Especially because I really enjoy my job, and I'm told I'm good at it (my manager says she's lucky to have me, even with my shocking attendance...) So... How, at 8:30am when I have to leave the house, do I motivate myself to go to work? By motivate myself, I also mean not get completely overwhelmed with panic about how terrible I am going to be at my job on that day...
So far, coping strategies consist of:
- Having a really stupid, funny picture of my work colleagues on my wall because it reminds me that I have fun when I'm there.
- Making sure that everything is ready the night before, so all I have to do is chuck my uniform on and go out of the door.
- Having post-it notes of things I enjoy about work on my bedroom door.
- My manager has written me a weekly plan, including work written down - something about having it down on paper.
Can anyone think of anything else? I'm up for trying most things, silly or more traditional!
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
There is a Costa at the hospital I work in, so I could definitely treat myself to a nice drink when I got there. :)
I really struggle to plan nice things for when I finish work, because I'm usually so tired and my brain is frazzled, so I just sit on my bed and browse the internet! I like the idea of having a nice meal though, as it's got to be better than living on ready meals, so I think I might cook something really nice on my days off, then put it in the freezer. All I have to do then is put it in the microwave and I'll have something (hopefully) delicious and healthy. Thanks!
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
Like Cat, I was going to suggest that some support might help. Is there anyone you could call or text if you're struggling to get in to work? Your mum or a work colleague? I think sometimes it can help to be reminded by someone else that it's going to be okay once you get there.
Also being super organized used to help me when I was struggling. I'd make sure I had lunch made and my uniform laid out and bag packed the night before so I didn't have to think about any of that (the less steps I had to get through before getting out the door the better!) Oh I just noticed you already said that. Oh well :P
Do you have any coping strategies for anxiety in general? Liiike, idk, breathing or visualisation or anything? If so, mornings when you need to get to work (and nights before) would be a good time to use those.
I will come back if I think of anything more useful! Sending love and hugs <3
"I know you're sad, so I won't tell you to have a good day. Instead, I advise you to simply have a day.
Stay alive, feed yourself well, wear comfortable clothes, and don't give up on yourself just yet.
It'll get better. Until then, have a day."
I think your ideas and what everyone else has suggested is great! My life is ruled by my to do list and so part of my motivation for getting out to work is being able to tick off "get up" and "leave the house" from my to do list and getting to see the number of things to do going down :P (My to do list is an app and it repeats those tasks every weekday). I don't know if that kind of thing might motivate you!
If you're really exhausted when you get home, cooking meals and freezing them sounds great and you could also plan to watch an episode of your favourite TV show when you get in, as that doesn't require much energy!
You could also maybe plan rewards on your day off for having attended work the previous day?
I really like the idea of having someone to text in the morning. Do you think my manger would mind if I text her? I don't think I would need to do a running commentary, especially as I cycle most days and cycling and texting is not a good combination! I think sending "having a sh*t morning, but will definitely see you at 9am" could be useful though. Kind of letting someone know that I'm struggling, but reaffirming that I will definitely be there. Do you think that would be acceptable?
I'm a bit crap at anxiety coping skills. Mostly they involve hiding under my duvet and watching old episodes of QI. :P That's not going to get me to work though, is it?! I do find that slow, deep breaths help if I really focus on what I'm doing. I like lavender as well and have a small lavender bag that I like to smell - I might see if I can get another one to keep in my bag, so I can sniff it when I get to work.
I like the idea of rewards on my day off. I love going to cafes and drinking lattes, so I could treat myself to a nice coffee in my favourite cafe on the sea front at the weekend, if I manage my Thursday and Friday.
Great suggestions everyone. Thanks. :)
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
Coffee on the sea front sounds like a great reward.
In terms of texting your manager, it would depend on your relationship with her. Personally I wouldn't swear in a text to my boss, but there are probably some of my coworkers that would as they are better friends with my boss. Maybe you could ask her if she'd mind you texting her when you're on your way, just so she knows why you're doing it, rather than getting a text out of the blue and wondering if she needs to call you to see if you're OK or send you a really long reply or just send you a quick reassuring text.
Everyone else has made really good suggestions already. It's a bit simple/silly but one of the things I find helpful is to reward myself with stickers - for example, during my exams I'd put a gold star in my diary if I did a decent amount of studying that day. It's childish but seeing my diary fill up with stickers really helped! Would something like that be useful for when you make it into work?
Also just wanted to leave love and say how amazingly you're doing x x x
- Having a really stupid, funny picture of my work colleagues on my wall because it reminds me that I have fun when I'm there.
- Making sure that everything is ready the night before, so all I have to do is chuck my uniform on and go out of the door.
- Having post-it notes of things I enjoy about work on my bedroom door.
- My manager has written me a weekly plan, including work written down - something about having it down on paper.
These are really awesome ideas! I'm going to use them myself :)
I have told my manager that on hard days I'm going to try to come in and tell myself I have to try to make it to 11am and if I can't then I go home.
(The idea being getting to work is the hardest part).
