Work de-tox

[rodeosweetheart]

For those of you who have gone from full time to part time at a job, how did you de-tox from the job?

After my boss got fired on Friday, I decided to go to part time, as it was the last day I could request it, and I figured some income was better than no income next year.

While I'm still full time for another month, and felt an incredible lightness on Saturday and Sunday, on Monday I went back to a 14 hour day and felt the tentacles closing in around my neck again. Even though I know I will be stopping the job full time and then picking it up very lightly, I am kind of freaking out. We were on full throttle so much, and the adrenalin was in such overtime-- I feel like the prisoners who can't make an adjustment to the outside. I know I am still full time, but what did you do to transition to part time, if you made such a transition.
I am used to working all the time, including in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. It is that kind of work culture, very unhealthy.

I find myself thinking, yeah, well at least you got paid twice a month, a nice salary, and you were needed.

I feel like going to bed and reading trashy murder mysteries or decluttering the house or something, but I don't have time yet, and I don't really want to do either of those things.

That was part of why I had to go to part time, I felt I was so burned out, like I had burnt a hole into my brain, kind of like looking into the sun.

I am definitely freaking out. Now what?

[awakenedsoul]

I would make plans to do things you enjoy and that are nourishing. You'll have time to cook, bake, clean your house, and garden. You can read, exercise, hang out with friends, or spend time with your animals. If you have hobbies, you can invest time in those. For me, that's reading, knitting, and writing.

You sound kind of like a workaholic. Is that me, or does it ring true? I don't mean it to sound judgemental. It seems like that's what expected in a lot of work situations these days.

The fact that you're feeling light and free on Sat. and Sun. indicates to me that you've made a good decision.

[TVRodriguez]

Sounds like you made the right call! I went part time, but it was upon my return from maternity leave, so there was a natural transition there. I didn't take any time off before going into labor, though, so the first week of each kid's life I kept thinking about work. So I think your sense will change once the new schedule really sets in. Give it time. Maybe a countdown poster up on the fridge will remind you that you will be able to have more time and energy soon.

[Williamsmith]

I was completely used up. It took me 11 months before I signed up for a part time job.

There is merit to leaving on your own terms and not leaving it up to people you don't trust or respect.

[Tammy]

Switching from 50 hours spread over Monday thru Friday, to 36 hours spread over only 3 days a week - I felt some guilt for a few months. Like I was slacking, there's something I should be doing, etc. For almost 20 years I only had 1-2 days off per week on average. It took me a while to adjust to free time. But I love it now.

[rodeosweetheart]

Thanks for the really good thoughts and reflections. I do feel used up, and it is a culture of workaholism, and that is what I am trying to break myself of. I think it is going to take a few months to feel normal in the new normal, and that is what I am needing to work on, how to make that transition. Thanks!

[Float On]

Being a list person, I'd be making a list of all the things I could do.
But I'm also a thankful person, so I try to really think about my thankfulness as I'm experiencing something. "I am so thankful right now that I have the time where I can sit here on the porch for a half hour with my coffee and just be." It's going to take your mind quite a while to adjust to this freedom of time.

[rodeosweetheart]

Right, floaton, that is what I am trying to transition towards, the large freedom of time. That is what seems to be overwhelming me a little. Bringing up a lot of old anxieties about not being productive, about becoming a bag lady, etc...

[catherine]

Identify a passion project and enjoy the extra time to work on it--not "work" per se, but a labor of love.

[Zoe Girl]

You sound kind of like a workaholic. Is that me, or does it ring true? I don't mean it to sound judgemental. It seems like that's what expected in a lot of work situations these days.


I agree that a lot of us sound like workaholics, because that is really what a lot of jobs demand anymore. And I can relate to the transition anxiety. There are spaces of time that you don't have things and it feels awkward. I think the answer to everything is of course meditation.

[Gardenarian]

I think you don't have to change just work, you have to change the other stuff you do.
I'm not sure how to deal with a 14 hour day!
For me, going out after work - to take a walk, go to a movie (or even City Council meeting), go swimming, have a drink - that gets all the "work germs" out of my system. But with a 14 hour shift you hardly have time to eat and sleep. No wonder you're stressed.

I don't think you're going to be able to unload all that weight you're carrying until you really are working part-time, and even then it will take some time to decompress.

When kids leave school to homeschool, they usually need about 6 months to "de-school" - to stop being so hyper and anxious. Parents have found that the more time spent in nature, the more quickly their kids normalize. Nature, and video games (I have no experience with video games, but that's what they say!)

P.S.
When you're ready to curl up with some good mysteries, I highly recommend the Jackson Brodie novels by Kate Atkinson: Case Histories; One Good Turn; When Will There Be Good News?; Started Early, Took My Dog.

[rodeosweetheart]

Thank you for these suggestions--projects, meditation, and mystery novels! I think the idea about the 6 month to de-school is probably right on the mark. "Hyper and anxious" is exactly what I feel.

Time away from work, just walking around and interacting with the non online world helps a lot--my job is entirely online.

But I have definitely pulled the plug on full time, so January begins the return to part time, and the load is going to really drop. I'm just trying to get ready, to make it less of a shock. And yes, "hyper and anxious" completely describes the way I have been in this job since the bullying boss, etc. etc. Time to change things up.