“I think that isolation often can contribute to some of the challenges that are experienced in the workplace,” Cobb says. Sometimes, she adds, feeling overwhelmed leads to going to work, coming home, eating, then going to bed. It’s a just-getting-by routine that can feel impossible to break out of. Sometimes this pattern can be a necessity, but when the routine becomes a habit, it can contribute to what Cobb refers to as a “disconnect from the self and a disconnect from those around you.” If work doesn’t feel fulfilling, it’s important that we seek out opportunities for community and connection wherever possible.
“Some of us are at work at least eight hours a day, so make sure that you structure time for yourself,” Cobb says. Here’s the tough part: Sometimes that doesn’t look quite as exciting as it ideally would and that can be hard. Planning small things to look forward to, like a 20-minute phone catch-up with a friend, a walk around the block, or taking a few minutes to read and journal at night are ways to help bring a sense of balance. Where can you find a few minutes to do something that makes you feel like you or helps you unwind?
“You are the only one who knows what your experience is and what it has been,” Cobb adds. “So checking in with yourself is important and acknowledging that the person I am today is not the person I was before.”
Other tips for starting a 9-to-5
“It can be very easy to feel like the bulk of your day gets eaten up by work, but in my experience, the way to handle this is by ensuring that your time at home is calm and structured rather than harried. For me, this means a very thorough post-work ritual of emptying my bags of trash and filling them with what I need the next day, preparing the coffee maker, cleaning my travel mug, et cetera. In the mornings, this means making sure the house is tidy, so I’m not instantly worried about small chores the second I get home. I always try to envision the most stressed and disorganized version of myself 12 hours in the future and structure a routine that makes life as easy as possible for her.” —Savannah, 30, political communications
“It’s important to build relationships with your coworkers, but that doesn’t mean that they’re your friends. Be aware of your boundaries, avoid being unnecessarily honest, and understand that your relationship might last only as long as you work for the same company. Build relationships anyway.” — Aliannea, 32, software engineering
“Once a week, plan something to do after work. Grab dinner with a new friend, try a workout class, or go to a show. When you first start working full-time, it can be draining and difficult to find time for your life outside of work. Making time for even one short social activity a week makes all the difference in breaking up your workflow and reconnecting with yourself. I’m a fan of finding a new spot to grab a sweet treat with my friend each week.” — Rachel, 24, corporate tech account executive
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