You’ve recently suffered a loss, and you’re grieving your loved one. Maybe you were able to take a few days of bereavement leave after their passing to attend a funeral or memorial. But chances are, by the time you got back to work, you were still reeling from their absence. You’re expected to pick up your responsibilities where you left off. Yet your mind is still in a fog.
It’s practically impossible to concentrate, you struggle to keep track of minor details, and you don’t have the same motivation that you used to. Even if you were previously very passionate about your job, you can feel that passion fading. Going back to the office when you’re grieving isn’t easy. Here are some tips to help you manage this tricky transition.
Talk to Your Supervisor
First, consider talking to your supervisor about how you’re feeling. Whether or not you feel entirely comfortable doing so might depend on your relationship with them and their management style.
But if your supervisor is empathetic and supportive, it doesn’t hurt to let them know you need a little extra help as you adjust back to your routine. Talk to them about the specific tasks that you’re struggling with, and find out if you can delegate tasks to anyone else or get some wiggle room for your deadlines.
Consider Flexible Work Arrangements
Maybe you’ve realized that some or all of your work responsibilities could easily be performed remotely, without sacrificing quality. Check in and see if you could set up a remote or hybrid work arrangement, at least for the time being.
This can give you more time to spend with your loved ones, or free up hours to dedicate to therapy, self-care, or hobbies that make you feel at ease.
Get Comfortable Saying “No”
Before losing your loved one, you may have prided yourself on constantly saying “Yes” to new challenges at work. But now, it’s time to get comfortable with saying “No” to additional tasks whenever possible. You do not need to pile more tasks on your plate when you’re dealing with so much emotional turmoil.
For now, focus on cultivating work-life balance, and prioritize the professional tasks that are most important. Trying to bite off more than you can chew can leave you overwhelmed and burnt out.
Use Any Leave Time to Your Advantage
You probably used some of your leave time to attend memorials for your loved one. But why not review your remaining time off and see if you could squeeze in a relaxing vacation, or take Fridays off for the next couple of weeks?
Having a vacation to look forward to can help you feel refreshed and recharged. You don’t even need to go out of town. If you want to completely clear your schedule and simply enjoy a staycation while shutting down your inbox, this might be the right opportunity. Additionally, granting yourself a few long weekends can give you breathing room.
Connect with a Therapist
Review your company’s health insurance benefits to find out if you get coverage for mental health services. This could be a good time to connect with a grief therapist. While it’s generally not advisable to make any major, life-changing decisions until at least six months to a year after your loved one’s death, a therapist can help guide you through some choices that you might be pondering, like looking for a new job, or even changing careers.
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Are you struggling to focus on work while dealing with grief? A therapist can help you manage these competing priorities. Reach out to us to discuss our grief counseling services.