Returning to Work After a Loss – How Do You Do That?

As if everything keeps going – except you

When you’re dealing with loss – a death, a breakup, heartbreak – the world seems to stop. Or rather: your world stops. Because outside of you, everything keeps going. Deadlines, meetings, targets. The usual rhythm of work feels strange, sometimes even painful. And somehow, you’re expected to jump back in.

You feel vulnerable

Going back to work often means showing up while all you really want is to hide. You’re not yourself. Your head is full, your body is tired – and sometimes, everything suddenly overwhelms you at exactly the wrong moment. That sense of vulnerability makes it even harder to work.

Work suddenly feels meaningless

What does it even matter? The strategic plan, the colleague chasing their targets, the project that’s been going on for months… Everything that once felt important now feels empty. And that sense can linger. You’ve changed – and that can clash with the way your work used to feel.

People don’t know what you need

Colleagues and managers often struggle with how to respond to loss. Not because they don’t care – but because they simply don’t know how. They’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. So they stay silent, avoid eye contact, or – just as often – say something unhelpful.

You might not even know what you need yourself. Do you want to talk about it? Or not? Do you want to get back into your routine – or do you need more space? It helps if you can figure that out and share it with others. But that’s easier said than done.

Coaching can help

Coaching gives you space to breathe. To tell the real story. To explore what you need – and what isn’t possible yet. You don’t have to make big decisions right away. But you can take time to reflect on what work means to you now – and how to stay true to yourself, even when the world around you moves fast.

Want to know more?

Read more about my approach on the homepage, or book a free session – and we’ll explore what’s right for you at this moment.

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