If going back to work feels like too much, you’re not failing
Dr. Jana RundleLicensed Clinical Psychologist · 0:49 videoGoing back to work asks a lot before your body, nervous system and identity have recovered (separating from your baby, new logistics, expectations that don't account for how you've changed), so feeling overwhelmed isn't weakness or ingratitude, and the idea that 12 weeks off is plenty isn't based on science or psychology.
Read the full article →Returning to Work After Baby: Managing the Anxiety and GuiltTranscript
If you're postpartum and you're about to go back to work and it feels like too much, I want you to hear this. This transition asks a lot from parents, often before their bodies, their nervous system, or their identities have fully recovered. You're separating from your baby, you're managing the new logistics of a new schedule, you're stepping back into expectations that do not always account for how much you've changed. Feeling overwhelmed here doesn't make you weak or ungrateful, it means that this is a big transition and big transitions deserve more support than we usually get. Nothing about this is easy. The world loves to tell us that 12 weeks should be plenty of time off, but no, that is not based on science or psychology. You are still adjusting and you deserve grace and support in this time.
If you'd like to talk it through with me, you can book a free 15-minute consultation.
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