In my latest mutual mentoring meetings, two talented Gen Z’ers have expressed real anxiety about returning to their place of work in countries that have fully exited lockdowns.
I shared some thoughts & ideas plus a practical article:
1. It’s totally ok and normal to feel uncertain & distressed at this incredibly challenging time of transition when the brain is alerting us to big change & some perceived risk.
2. Try to maintain a good routine & positive structure to your day scheduling in a few of your favourite things giving yourself a mental health boost as well as a welcome distraction from your anxieties.
3. Take it steadily, don’t try to go from 1 to 100 on your first day back in the workplace, keep things simple, give yourself time & get a new good schedule going! You get to design this & stay in control.
4. And to the point of noise and inability to concentrate in the office with many interruptions – talk to your colleagues, help each other as you form the new build back better community! Learning & creating new boundaries together.
I also love this graphic from @lizandmollie and would love to hear your views as you prepare to return to the workplace.
