Five Things I've Learnt About Returning to Work

As I’ve just crossed my seven-month anniversary back at work, I’ve been reflecting on the things I’ve learnt about myself along the way and how this might help anyone returning to work after a period of time off;

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1.?????? Give it a long period of time before deciding if this is for you. I have gone on an emotional rollercoaster about how I feel about my job. I was so excited and nervous to come back and really believed that it was the right thing to do at the right time. But I must admit there were moments when I really questioned if it was still the right path for me. I contemplated leaving, but didn’t act, thankfully. The words from all other cancer survivors and my oncologist ringing in my ears – don’t make any major life decisions for at least a year after treatment. And I’m glad I listened to them. It’s been hard but also so rewarding and I feel blessed to be in a supportive team, surrounded by great people working towards our mission. I feel like I’ve done the hard work and now the only way is up, with a company I still feel very connected to.

2.?????? Be patient with yourself. It takes time to rebuild the muscles it took to do your job. In some ways I was fortunate to have a return-to-work plan with a gradual build up of hours and responsibilities. I know this isn’t always the case. It’s only really been in the last month that I feel like I’m nearly back to my old self and operating at a level that I’m happy with. I still don’t feel like I’m the same as I used to be and that’s ok. Which leads me to my next point;

3.?????? You may be very different now and how you want to work might look very different. That is ok. I have a constant internal conflict between what I want to get involved with, how I want to build my brand, how I want to show up to every interaction with my clients and colleagues but also what kind of mum I want to be, being around for drop offs and pickups, making dinner and spending quality time together as a family. Not to mind looking after my own health and wellbeing. I will only ever be a good employee if I put myself first, giving me the best chance to show up. And so, I have had to figure out the boundaries I need to ensure I can be the person and employee I want to be.

4.?????? There’s power in vulnerability. By showing up authentically and with vulnerability you can create a better environment for yourself and for everyone around you. Sharing my cancer journey broadly hasn’t been easy but I’ve chosen to do so because I know we are all people with our own life challenges behind these job titles. If we can be there to support each other holistically then we all become better at work with a better ability to achieve things together.

5.?????? Stay true to your values and enjoy a new perspective on life. I have done a lot of work this year with my psychologist understanding and defining what a values led life looks like for me. Every decision I make I do so with my values at the core and so if things don’t quite go to plan, I am learning to let them go, safe in the knowledge that I am and will continue to show up in the ways that matter most. And some things most certainly have not gone to plan but this new approach has allowed me to let them go quickly, move on and focus on what’s next.

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All of this has not come easy, and I must admit to falling back into old habits on occasion – waking during the night thinking about my to-do list, getting stressed about work, letting it take up too much time that I start to neglect my own health. But as I continue to keep reminding myself about what’s actually really important in life, these worries are not lasting as long or impacting me as much as they used to.

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And so, whilst I have just reached the targets set out for me in my first full quarter, what’s even more satisfying is how I have accomplished them. I haven’t compromised on how I want to show up at work and what kind of partner/mother I am. It hasn’t been easy and there is a continuous need to reflect and adjust at home and at work. But it certainly has been worth it.