I felt the same and I went back part time so it was even harder adjusting since I never fully got used to it. 8 months later I found out I was pregnant again so things kind of went even more downhill at work from there. A few of my colleague said it took them at least 1 full year to get used to working again. Sorry no advice but in my workplace it was a pretty common experience because we had 5 pregnant/ mat leave women in our department within 2 years lol.
Yes. It took me more than a year to feel even slightly normal, and I never got back to feeling like I was doing well or making valid contributions, before I was off on matl again. Gone are the days of working til 8pm to finish a paper if I want, chasing a bonus or overdelivering 🤷🏼♀️ I was shocked at how difficult it all felt, and I'm doing it all over again in 3 weeks 😱
I feel like I don't belong anymore. I had 14 months off work for maternity as they couldn't offer me part time when I was actually due back. I'm a teacher and I've returned as part time supply at my school so I don't have my own class, or classroom etc. I'm also teaching year groups I've not taught in about 8 years so work is taking a bit of getting used to. I also have break times at different times to my previous year group so I never really get to chat to them anymore. I kind of feel a bit lost.
I started a new job and felt brain dead. Like it was so much harder after having a babies and being away from work for so long. I literally forgot how to say words that I knew how to say before. I’ve been back to work for 8 months now and still feel some days it’s hard to focus.
I'm dreading it
@Violeta💕 sending hugs, what are you dreading?
@Sabra I feel this!
Thank you for all sharing your experiences.
I have been off for nearly a year now and I feel the exact same!!!! I’m dreading going back for a number of reasons but the big one for me if feeling like I won’t be able to manage I have really bad baby brain still
YES. And between all the at home tasks - chores, phone calls, bills, appointments, I feel so forgetful at work. Simple tasks such as communication has become much harder for me. I feel like I can’t explain/ present things as effortlessly as I used to.