Right, I was desperate to go back to work, so much so I ignored the OT consultant saying “you are not ready”, and said “put this down or find me another OT! Finally gave in, and I started in the new year.
Now, given the harrowing 14 months that follows, adapting where I can, I was not ready to return to my old job yet. Maybe waiting 6 months more opened the window a little bit more, but that is with hindsight.
Overall though, it was a good experience because when the redundancy hit all of the senior management, they got a promotion out of it, whereas, despite my applying for anything, I am unemployable.
I lied. I hid my afflictions. Then, being open and honest. Employers are avoiding even interviewing me saying 1 minor issue like DEIB you haven’t got (which I had experience but not in my application).
That was 20 months trying to get a job, and a massive debt accumulating as well.
With this, with hindsight again, I was better taking medical retirement instead. I am only 49.
My only advice is be wary about your own feelings, listen to your body and those near you.
I have not seen an Occupational therapist yet. I assumed occupational health and occupational therapist were the same thing? I have been given a counsellor for a few weeks but that’s just for my mental health side of things I think. I am so confused.
Thank you for this. It does make you wonder if it is all worth it to put yourself through all the hassle. As you say though sometimes good things come out of a bad situation. Maybe that career wasn’t for you? I do really believe you can change your own path when it comes to what you want to do and at the right time.
In terms of debt, it can have a huge impact on you. Maybe you have already managed to deal with this? I accrued a stupid amount of debt with nothing to show for it I guess I was never really taught by anyone about money or the dangers of credit cards. I am so pleased they are teaching this in schools now. Step Change were amazing for me. I have just become ‘debt free’ in November after being with them for I think about 4 years. It wasn’t easy by any means but less pressure knowing all your debts were in one place if that makes sense and end of 2025 should have been way more celebratory sure to this achievement but having a stroke in October put a dampener on things! Now I am starting to recover though it’s good to be able to treat myself now and again when Iv achieved something like getting through a tough counselling session even something small like a new book to read. I can spend now don’t have to consider too much whether it’s going to make payments overdue etc. yet I am still cautious it has made me think differently.
My career is blown I feel, everyone in the industry who known me before, says your too poorly and too disabled to compete and even worse, they’ve adopted AI as well, sellers and the buyers in tandem racking up huge losses because it might win in a decade.
The debts, however, are mine alone but the hardest step is to write to the creditors saying I’m disabled and I have no money because my career is over. So, what’s the plan?
It sounds like you got out of there at the right time! I am sure the right thing will come along before you know you were even looking for it
Sorry if I have stepped a line about debt it’s personal. I would recommend though to have a look into StepChange they are a charity run organisation and they deal with your creditors so you do not have to. Every time I have spoken to them they have been amazing throughout it sound like I work for them on commission but really I do not know where I would have been if I hadn’t don’t a Debt Management Plan. I am not proud of it but I am glad it is done and I have a fresh start.
@MattJC I 100% agree with you. I went back too soon. I have no support, so got to suck it up. I was lonely an driven mad by my treatment that’s why I went back. I missed the company and the business of my job. Good luck for your future
I guess that is part of the reason I am so desperate to get back. My husband has been off work since last May with his own health issues and with me being off since October I feel I am going demented! We are driving each other crazy!
I think getting back to work will give me a break from that and help me regain some independence and normality. Also finance is about to start becoming an issue for us as my wage will drop to half pay in February!
There’s a fine line though as others have said with going back too early. That is the worry I just do not feel ready.
I have just received an appointment request from occupational health for next Friday so I will see what they suggest.
