{"id":31138,"date":"2023-03-17T10:31:43","date_gmt":"2023-03-17T09:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/?p=31138"},"modified":"2023-03-17T10:31:44","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T09:31:44","slug":"back-to-work-after-a-long-break-what-its-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/2023\/03\/17\/back-to-work-after-a-long-break-what-its-like\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to Work After a Long Break & What It\u2019s Like"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sixteen years ago this July I went on maternity leave. In the end I opted not to return as it would make breastfeeding more difficult, and the eldest was diagnosed with Asperger\u2019s Syndrome<\/a> that year and needed extra support. Since then we have managed on any disability related benefits and my husband\u2019s wage. But now recently it felt like I should go back to work.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Back<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Difficulty Getting a Job with No Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So I ended up applying for quite a few jobs really. You may recall I was thinking about it ages ago<\/a>! Starting with ones I really would like to do and eventually I applied to Cineworld for their VIP section. They told me that I didn\u2019t have the desired skills. But at least they replied.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Before<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Trouble is I have a first degree but only worked in a school, a supermarket and a fast food chain – and then I have been a carer and blogging for just over a decade. Actually I even started volunteering to help get back into the swing of things, and have something else I could put down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why I Wanted to Go Back to Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My husband does the school runs and I really just need to be available for when he can\u2019t be. So that means if there\u2019s an appointments in the day, school strikes, or if he has a meeting. Therefore I am free to do what I like but also need to be just available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Financial Side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now I appreciate that not many people have this luxury but it really wasn\u2019t a nice feeling. Having to pay for all my dental care, prescriptions (including my HRT<\/a>) and opticians\u2019 appointments out of my measly carers\u2019 allowance I just felt I wasn\u2019t really contributing. Plus with rising energy costs and living month to month on my credit card isn’t ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Plus the fact that I spend money on massages, my gym membership and cold water swimming – I felt like a bit of a sponge. It made me feel like I should be doing stuff all the time to make up for it – cleaning, cooking and the like. But I hate that stuff so felt like I should always be doing it but without always doing it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a nutshell I felt like I would be able to allow myself time to relax if I worked – because it would be like I deserved it. Plus I would be contributing financially – making presents I bought for my other half feel like they were properly from me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mind Side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of this I imagine is due to the perimenopause. Feelings of anxiety about what would happen if I no longer had my husband. My life slipping away and what is my purpose now my children are starting to all leave home.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Back<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

But also the brain fog had started to reappear again and I just felt that I needed to do something more to keep my mind active again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh plus people have been really taking the mic with asking me to work for them. At least with paid employment you are guaranteed a wage and everyone gets it rather than taking it personally when people treat you like rubbish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back to Work At McDonalds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Then one night I just applied to go back to work at McDonalds on my phone. It was really easy and I even skipped the section about references. Within 2 days I had an interview and got the job. Lots has changed and it\u2019s been really overwhelming. Getting used to not having a break when I want, being on my feet all day – told different things all the time – and generally just not having the freedoms that I am used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Joy Gloucestershire UK (@pinkoddy)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>