Last week, I officially ended my one-week leave and went back to work.
And honestly?
Not easy.
The feeling was very mixed. On one side, I felt grateful still have a job, still have responsibilities, still have purpose. But on the other side… my mind was still on “leave mode.” Slow mornings, no rush, no pressure. Suddenly, everything changed overnight.
Back to alarms.
Back to emails.
Back to deadlines.
And that’s when I realized…Getting back to work is not just physical. It’s mental and emotional too.
The First Few Days: “Why Am I So Unmotivated?”
I thought I would bounce back immediately.
But the truth?
I felt slow.
Unfocused.
A bit lost.
Even simple tasks felt heavy.
And I know I’m not the only one feeling this especially as a working mom. Kita bukan setakat adjust diri sendiri, but also anak, routine rumah, everything at once.
So… How Did I Find My Semangat Again?
Not instantly. But slowly, step by step.
1. I Gave Myself Time to Adjust
Instead of forcing myself to be 100% productive immediately, I allowed myself to ease in. Because let’s be real,we are not machines.
It’s okay kalau hari pertama tu rasa blur sikit.
2. I Started Small
I didn’t try to conquer everything in one day. I just focused on, clearing a few emails, completing 1-2 important tasks and organizing my to do list.
And surprisingly…That small progress gave me momentum.
3. I Reset My Mindset
Instead of thinking: “Alamak, kerja banyaknya…”
I tried to shift to: “Okay, slowly… one by one.”
Sometimes, semangat doesn’t come first. Action comes first. Then semangat will follow.
4. I Reminded Myself My “Why”
As a working mom, my “why” is very clear.
My family.
My child.
The life we are building together.
When I reconnect with that, suddenly kerja tu rasa lebih meaningful, not just tiring.
5. I Added Small Joys to My Work Day
This one really helps.
Simple things like, good coffee in the morning, wearing something comfortable and nice and listening to my favorite songs while working
These small things make a big difference.
The Truth About “Semangat”
Here’s what I learned:
Semangat doesn’t always come naturally.
Sometimes… we have to rebuild it.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Without pressure.
To All Working Moms (and Anyone Feeling the Same)
If you just came back from leave and you feel unmotivated, slow and not like your usual self
It’s okay.
You are not lazy.You are just adjusting.
Give yourself time.
Today, I can say… I’m not 100% back yet.
But I’m better than last week and that’s enough. 💛
Because this journey is not about being perfect, it’s about showing up, little by little, until we find our rhythm again.
Here are some photos of my back to work after long leave.
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