Cheery things

[Scarlett]

Tomorrow is my first day back at work for ages- first day back in the classroom. I am dreading it. No let up now til Xmas.

Please can you give me a nice thought that I can think about at some point in the day? Something to keep me going til 5pm.

Thankyou!

[Pythia]

Decide to set aside a portion of your first paycheque (and chose a sum, make it real) for something entirely self-indulgent - then you can muse on what might be a nice treat. Meal at favourite restaurant, taking someone special out to a concert, large bottle of something smelly (or boozy), donation to fave charity - whatever will give YOU a buzz. You can spend odd moments all month planning it.  And make sure you do indulge yourself - after all, work can be A Good Thing for various reasons, but most of us do it for the money! So reward yourself for Bravery, and enjoy looking forward to your reward. Good luck to you, Scarlett 

[Ouisch]

Pythia's suggestion is a very good one - set aside X amount of your pay and treat yourself (or you and your significant other) to something special - an evening out on the town, a weekend trip, whatever.

I well remember my overwhelming feeling of depression after the Christmas holidays at my old job (the one I detested)...I'd go back to work thinking "no break until Easter..."  But ultimately, I'd get busy and the time actually passed quite quickly.  I hope it does the same for you.

[ceebee007]

Scarlett - by the time you get this, you will have got through Day 1 - hope you survived and that it went well.

I too remember the feelings of fear and dread at the prospect of returning to work after a period of long-term absence.  However, as is the case with many things, the worrying about it can be far worse than doing it - I hope this was the case for you.  I do remember that on my first day back, colleagues were genuinely pleased to see me and welcoming which made all the difference and really, I had worried unneccessarily

Also, events in the future always seem so far away and yet, when you look back, you can't believe how quickly time has passed - it's the middle of September already and it doesn't seem any time since Easter!  It'll be Christmas before you know it!

You can and will get through these feelings - good luck!

[Buddy]

Sorry for being ignorant but is that the English and Welsh schoolkids just going back or have you been off for a personal reason?

If the former (which I doubt but I know dates are different in Scotland) think of the wee souls who dont know wheteher they are coming or going - and the mums & dads of course.(Nursery only partly prepares you).

If its for you then I am all for a treat when you get in - whether a nice G & T - feet up for a few minutes.Or how about browsing the net or looking at brochures for a lovely twinkly break for a couple of nights in Budapest or Hamburg or Amsterdam or Oslo.You get my drift - something seasonal.I'm in the mood now!!!

[Buddy]

Obviously something to look forward to - in your Xmas break.

[Scarlett]

Thankyou everyone! Great suggestions. Day zoomed past, as you would imagine..

Buddy! No, the kids went back a couple of weeks ago but my College where I teach only just started proper lectures today. Last week we did a practical project all week and the week before was induction.x