Pros and cons of returning to work after loss

Losing someone you love is one of the toughest things you could go through, and figuring out when to jump back into work can be super stressful. Sometimes you've got to go back because, well, life doesn't pause for grief. For others, the timeline's more flexible. Either way, let's chat about some pros and cons to help you decide what's best for you. I’m going to start with the negative and end with the positive, because I’m motivational like that.

The Downsides

1. **All the Feels**: The emotional rollercoaster is real. One minute you're okay, the next you're bawling your eyes out. And let's face it—work breakdowns are awkward for everyone.

2. **Drained, Drained, Drained**: Grief is exhausting, like, no sleep and you ran out of coffee levels of tiring. And it's not just the emotional drain, your body feels it too.

3. **Brain Fog**: Yep, that's a thing. You're so overwhelmed by the loss that your brain is like, "Wait, what was I supposed to do again?" This can be super frustrating when you have tasks and deadlines. Or, in my case, have to entertain 90 8th graders all day long.

4. **Putting Grief on Hold**: Sometimes work can act as a distraction, and not in a good way. If you're not careful, you could be delaying your emotional healing by pushing your grief to the side.

5. **Too Many People, Too Many Questions**: If you're an introvert like me, you get that too much social interaction can be draining. Co-workers mean well, but sometimes you just want to be left alone, you know? (I say that with the greatest appreciation and respect for my amazing coworkers, with whom I would not have survived my grief journey thus far.)

The Upsides

1. **Routine is Your Friend**: It can be comforting to slide back into a daily schedule. Having something to focus on can actually be helpful.

2. **Chit-chat Therapy**: Even if you're not talking about your emotions and feelings, sometimes just having a casual chat with someone can lighten your mood a bit. Yes, even if you’re an introvert.

3. **Small Wins Count**: Even ticking off small tasks at work can give you a sense of accomplishment, which can be rewarding when you're feeling low.

4. **Money Talks**: The reality is, bills don't care about your feelings. Getting back to work might be a financial necessity, and there's nothing wrong with admitting that. I certainly don’t keep it a secret that this was my reasoning for returning to work after Libby died.

So there you have it! Hopefully, this helps you weigh your options. Just remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Take your time and do what's best for you.

If you’d like to watch the video version of this post, click below!