How should I prepare mentally and practically for starting a new job after a five-month career gap?
I got a job offer after a five‑month career gap, and now I’m somehow both happy and anxious about it. How should I spend this weekend preparing mentally?
I took a career break in March and started looking for a job again in August. I decided to start looking because I felt that if I stayed unemployed for much longer, the gap might eventually make it harder to find a job.
I finally got an offer today. It’s a decent job, although it’s a sales‑type role where I’ll be responsible for part of the KPI. I’m not someone who particularly enjoys working, so I already know I’ll probably have to adjust to being back in a structured work environment.
The funny thing is that I got the call around 6:10 PM today saying that I passed the interview and got the offer. It’s not even 7 PM yet, and I already have a slightly upset stomach and feel anxious. I guess my stomach is reacting to my emotions before my brain has even processed everything.
Today is Friday, and I’m supposed to start on Monday. So now I’m wondering: how should I use these two days to get myself into the right mindset?
I’m happy that I found a job, but at the same time, I’m anxious about actually having to go back to work.
But emotionally, it still feels weird.
It’s almost like:
Can’t find a job → the sky is falling.😭 Got a job → the sky is also falling. 😭
For those of you who have taken a long career break and then returned to work, how did you mentally prepare yourself for the transition?
What would you do during the weekend before starting a new job?☹️🥱😊😃😆😂🤣😉🥰😔😭😢😀