Leaving Work...at Work.

I recently had an incident where I did not practice what I preached.

Shocking, I know. (Therapists are people too!)

It was early Spring, and in my neck of the woods, that meant we still got snow overnight, so I had to shovel in the morning if I didn't want a fine from the city.

I've started parking as close to the garage as possible, so I don't have to clear snow between the garage and the car.

That makes me feel like I'm working less. I realize that math doesn't math, but I'm a social worker. We don't math at all.

My day had been especially long and painful. I was replaying it in my brain. My daughter says she can tell when I'm thinking about work because my face looks like I'm talking about something very serious, even though I'm not speaking.

Given my thoughts, I assume I look something like this...

I was listening to a Podcast, pulling up to my house, considering my potential future responses, and wondering what we would eat for dinner.

It was a crappy day so I settled on cereal. That's one of my go-tos on a long day.

I snagged my lunchbox from the backseat and opened my door when I heard a CRUNCH.

And not the Captain Crunch variety.

My heart raced. I looked at the dashboard of my car and realized...my car was still in "Drive."

I hit my own garage door.

I checked my mirrors. Then, slowly backed away from the garage, gathered my things, and sauntered into the house, eyes straight ahead like nothing happened.

I considered nonchalantly scrolling through my phone while I strode into the house, but I figured if a neighbor did see the accident, they would assume I had hit my own garage while texting and driving, then walked into the home still texting.

I didn't want to look like a total idiot.

Because I am a hardcore avoider, I didn't dare look at the door or my car for several weeks.

That's not an exaggeration.

When it came time to mow my lawn, I finally tested the door to see if it would still work. And that was only because I couldn't find a reasonable way to get my mower from the backyard to the front without using the garage door...believe me, I tried.

Learn from my mistakes. Leave work at work.

Here are a few tips for leaving work where it belongs.

1. Sticky Notes - I love sticky notes. I use them way too frequently, but my favorite way to use them (when I take my advice) is at the end of the day.
   
   I ask myself what needs to be done before I leave. If I don't complete this task, will I be able to stop thinking about it? If the answer is no, and I can, I will complete that task first. It's not worth worrying all night.
   
   If the situation is beyond my control, I jot it on a sticky note for dealing with it another time. That helps me clear it out of my mind and leave it at the office.
2. Closing Time Routine - Have a routine for ending the day. I like to wipe my office down with a Clorox wipe (developed that habit during COVID), then close my computer programs, take a walk to my car, and jam to my favorite song.
   
   My daughter says that's embarrassing because I'm old...that makes it even more fun to do.
3. Rumination - Since I now have self-awareness of my wonky facial expressions when I'm thinking about work, I notice when my forehead crinkles and my eyebrows furrow, blocking my line of vision.
   
   I use this as a reminder to sign off and make myself a cup of hot tea or cold lemonade. Whatever is weather appropriate that day. My goal is to stop that loop of work thoughts and focus on my sense of taste. I do love snacks...
4. Job Security - The work will be there tomorrow. It will never be complete. Which is good news since I have a mortgage. So, instead of obsessing about completing every task before I can reward myself, I choose to engage in a pleasant activity after work.
   
   Like pulling up to my house, jamming to U2 in front of my daughter's friends. Or whatever other "mom behavior" she has recently complained about.
   
   I'm old. These are my hobbies now.

Share your Wisdom:

What is your current practice for leaving work at work?

Is it working for you?

If not, what alternatives are you considering?

If you're curious, my garage door still works.