The pandemic hit us like a truck, and we hunkered down, we were in survival mode. Weeks passed, and we began to feel antsy; however, we found our new normal and attempted to live within the parameters aligned with our health concerns and beliefs. It has been a peculiar experience navigating through the pandemic thus far, and seeing that parts of the city are beginning to reopen adds to the confusion. While we are not through to the other side, the world is attempting to return us to “normal”. However, some of us are not ready to return as we navigate through feelings of dread. Whether we experienced feelings of abandonment from the world we departed or developed insights and understanding of ourselves in the absence of employment, school, or other obligations, we are faced with the challenge of synthesizing our experiences into this new world.
Navigating Abandonment
Our plunge into the pandemic left most of us without answers or direction while being dropped by employers and our government. This experience fostered anxieties that we were forced to confront as we were unsure of how we were going to make it through quarantine. Collectively we projected this issue outwardly to those we felt abandoned by, which of course, fosters dread in returning. We want those who we depend on to ensure that we are taken care of going forward; however not all of us will be fortunate to be returning to an employer that can guarantee us security going forward. Our experience has awakened awareness to how frail some of our industries are as well as how fragile our security both in employment and at home are. We find ourselves requiring a deeper conversation with ourselves and our careers to avoid re-experiencing a similar wound. We cannot return to normal, because it does not feel safe, we want to return to better.
Parallel to experiencing confusion and directionlessness, some of us felt unheard when we asserted our concerns regarding health and familial safety. We were pushed beyond our comforts and dealt an ultimatum between our boundaries or fiscal needs. Made to feel shame for caring for ourselves, our families, and others, we experience discomfort in re-entering relationships with our employers if repair has not been made. We want to know that we can be heard and respected moving forward. We do not want to walk that tightrope again.
Investing Into Ourselves
Some of us had the opportunity during quarantine to reignite passions in interests, hobbies, and relationships which had been strained or lost due to career grinds. Reconnected with excitement and joy, we felt revitalized. However this came at a time when obligations were diminished which displayed how our priorities have been imbalanced up until this point. It’s a silly cliche; however we have forgotten how to, “Stop and smell the roses”. It took the collapse of our routine to create space to invest into interests and relationships that matter to us. With the short time we had to discover these shelved needs, dread can begin to manifest as we approach rebooting our careers and obligations. This dread speaks to a need to respect what we have found in ourselves, our interests, and our relationships. As stated before, we cannot return to normal due to what we understand about our needs in balance. As we return to prior obligations and responsibilities, we must honor that part of us that found excitement and joy by creating a place within our return to keep the passion ignited.
You’re Not Lazy, You’re Overwhelmed
It’s okay to feel dread, and it is okay if you’re feeling overwhelmed with the idea of returning to work. Some of us are not ready to return; however it is not due to laziness but a fear that we will lose these insights about our own needs. It is important to acknowledge and understand where your feelings stem from so that we can make the necessary adjustments. Your feelings are always valid, we just need to better understand how we allow them to influence us. Unattended, this overwhelmed sensation festers into losses in joy, resentment, and irritability; however armed with understanding, we can address the balance between responsibilities and personal fulfillment and satisfaction. It begins with allowing yourself to process any low feelings associated with having to navigate quarantine, a pandemic, and a swift return.
If you are struggling with returning to work, please contact me today and we can schedule a session so I can help you.
Contact us today by calling or texting 702-518-1546, email, or booking a session by hitting the appointment request button. We can normally get you into a session within 24 or 48 hours.
We offer both online therapy (learn more about online therapy here) and in-person therapy at our Las Vegas office. Our office is located in West Las Vegas right off the 95 & Rainbow. Our address is 222 S. Rainbow Boulevard | Suites 113-114 |Las Vegas NV 89145
- Experiencing Dread In The Wake of Returning To Work - June 8, 2020