I’m going to college today, for the first time in three and half months. I’m excited but also have a niggling sense of trepidation. I am reminded of the Heraclitus saying,
No-one ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and you’re not the same person.
I have had a site map of the building showing a new entrance, new one way systems, a new and mandatory reception, hand sanitiser points and where the studios are being relocated to. I am not going ‘back’ and imagine while much of it will look familiar it will not be the same. I have had to find my pass and pack my work rucksack for the first time in months. I am looking forward to seeing some of my artist gang but am also conscious of the energy this is going to take. Old routines were dropped and replaced as lockdown took effect, now new ones will be needed, another layer is being added.
As we start to get return to work dates and teams are thinking about meeting up in person we are stepping into another period of adjustment and uncertainty. I am seeing messages of excitement as people are reunited with much loved cultural workspaces. I am also aware that everyone is still going through this in different ways. Many have ongoing caring responsibilities for others that are vulnerable, some are at the tail end of a long period of shielding, sadly not everyone will be returning, and others are doing some significant re-evaluating at the end of this period of extreme turmoil.
The trauma of all this has not left us, and the ongoing mixed messages about what is going to keep us safe in future are not helping. Whether you are part of a team or a freelancer have you decided what your return to work plan is? If you work for an employer you may have a formal plan, but have you sat down and worked out what your personal approach will be? None of us are going to be able to pick up exactly where we left off so what does that mean for how you manage yourself through the next phase?
We will be working with people or in teams that range from individuals who are itching to get going again, to others suffering from a variety of mental health challenges possibly including Adjustment or Post-traumatic Stress Disorders. We need to take care of ourselves and look after others as we step into this new phase.
There are some things you can do as the situation changes:
- Manage your energy: You will be tired, aim to do less than you might have prior to lock down
- Don’t rush it: Give yourself time to arrive and settle, things will be different
- Stay safe: the pandemic is still with us and we need to be mindful of the situations we are now entering. This may trigger ‘fight/flight/freeze’ responses that can have a physiological and psychological impact
- Set some short-term goals: While you readjust set realistic and achievable goals, keep them small. The big vision won’t disappear but it may feel too overwhelming to focus on at this point
- Support networks: Make sure you have good support networks. if you are concerned about passing your worries on to family and friends consider working with a coach, mentor, supervisor or counsellor. Many are offering pay what you can rates at the moment. You might also find a peer buddy and agree some mutual support
- Self-management: this may include exercise or relaxation techniques. Work out what suits you most. You may find you need to leave the workspace at regular intervals just to take a short break and have walk
- Be present: I love this from Karen Nimmo.
Be where your feet are.
Stay present for the people who matter to you. Put down your phone, sometimes. (Even a lot). And on the not-so-good days don’t let your brain scamper too far ahead because it’ll make trouble for you: deal with problems as they arise
- Reflect and review: think about the insights you have gained during lockdown. Which were the things that worked well remotely, where did technology add value, what were the things you stopped doing that you don’t’ miss? I am certainly reappraising the amount of travelling I have done in the past, I also want to keep up my lunchtime walks, which I have found to be great brain cleansers
The notion of ‘not letting your brain scamper ahead’ is a really good one, our fight, flight or freeze brains have been working overtime and we have been responding at speed. Some researchers think that we have been through an extremely accelerated development period that is the equivalent of three years’ worth of changes.
Over time, repeated activation of the stress response takes a toll on the body. Harvard health
As I have mentioned in previous posts, we also need to have empathy for those around us and recognise this may be more of a challenge now because we feel frazzled ourselves. It is likely that our behaviours may not be what they were for a while, confidence levels may have shifted, sleep patterns have been disrupted, patience levels may be diminished, we might experience more anxiety or worry than before and it may be hard to get into new routines. I know it sounds corny but we really do need to take care of ourselves and those around us for the foreseeable future. If you are leading a team it will fall to you to model the sorts of compassion you want everyone to demonstrate, that brings its own pressures.
For an excellent personal description of her experience of returning to work see Franciska Ery’s (@Franciska_E) recent and very wise tweets as she started directing again.
If you are experiencing anxieties that seem unusual for you, are extreme or unmanageable please talk about it with someone and seek professional support. There are various resources available as well as your local GP services.