It’s never easy, going back to work after time off. After a holiday, you just don’t wanna be there, but after a period of time off that was unforeseen, it can be quite nerve-wracking.
- You never know what everyone else at your workplace has been really thinking… do they think you’ve been putting it on? There is always someone who had the same thing happen to them, and they were back on double shift the next day.
- You don’t know how your management will view you either. No one likes it when an employee has to take unexpected time off.
- You almost cringe at the amount of work that will be piled up for when you get back.
- You worry whether you will be able to manage.
- You wonder how much of a mess your cover will have left you to sort out.
There is all manner of things going through your mind. Well, they all flitted through my mind over the two weeks I was off after my accident.
Sat at home for that fortnight, I itched to get back to work… really! But I knew I couldn’t go sooner. The aches and pains were there, some giving way to stiffness, and general discomfort that was manageable. But the exhaustion that seems to come from the Post Traumatic Stress was what made me step back. I needed to rest myself.
A pretty uneventful weekend followed a highlight, as in my new car!
And then Monday came.
I felt much better. Still sore in places, but the tiredness had curbed, and to be honest I really missed my class! I am lucky that my co-teacher works three days a week so I could ease back into duty, knowing that if I had any worries or tiredness, I could step back, and she was there.
But those niggles… were unfounded!
- All, and I really mean all, my colleagues were so worried, concerned, and extremely supportive as I came back. I felt almost like a hero returning from battle, recounting the incident to several people.
- The management, my head teacher, line manager, they were all amazing, from the day the accident happened, through the time off, and when I got back. Asking if I was well enough, taking the time to check on me regularly. I couldn’t ask for more.
- My team in the Nursery are brilliant, and there was nothing that I had to worry about, save the usual teacher observations that will happen soon enough before Easter.
- It was hard, being the hands-on teacher that I like to be, but my team were there, silently reading when I needed to step back for five minutes, and giving me a short break.
- Thankfully, as above, my team are great, so the two days that a supply teacher had to cover, they guided her so there was no ‘mess’ to clear up!
And it was so lovely to see my babies too! They came up and some gently hugged me, some more boisterously, asking if I was ok. Their parents were the same, some saying how their children had missed me. It really touched my heart. Two weeks away is a lifetime in a three or four-year-old’s life. Sometimes you can feel like you don’t actually matter in the grander scheme of things, but to see their little faces light up on seeing you.. better than any pain killer!
And I know you shouldn’t have favourites, but one little lad holds a special place in my heart as he reminds me of my nephew. He had the best imagination and comes up with the funniest stories, and he loves it when I do Yoga with the class. In fact, he sits in the cross-legged position himself, hands on knees, chanting “Ommmmm” independently!
When he saw me yesterday, he rushed over and exclaimed ” I missed you!”, then carried on hanging his coat up as normal. Periodically, he would come over to hug me.
And so I got through the day, but boy was I tired by the end! A headache had started too. I wondered whether I had taken the step to go back to work too quickly. But it’s nothing a long soak in the bath and an early night couldn’t fix!
Today was a pretty easy day too, with a morning of planning time, and a straightforward afternoon, and it ended with the promise that I would be getting a brand spanking new Ipad Mini 4 thingamajig too, to replace the work one that I already have! Neat!
Was it the right thing to go back? I had certain people advising me to take at least four weeks off. The A & E Dr said I needed to see on a day to day basis. My GP gave me a week off and then said to see on a weekly basis, whether I felt better or not. I listened to my body and mind. My body was sore, but coping with day to day tasks. My brain was going mad with me sitting at home, feeling like I shouldn’t really be there, but at work.
And I think I did the right thing for me.
I am tired, yes, but definitely felt ready to get back into my teacher saddle.
And so, back to normality… Driving in my new car, obviously!
But I Smile Anyway... 