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How to Work When Your Personal Life is Falling Apart

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During crisis I focussed on taking an 'Art of Living' course and staying with it's practice. It really helped me wonder about myself and I learnt about how to destress myself using breath. Our breath is so powerful that it can take our attention from any distracting issues and makes ourselves feel better. Trust me it helps you to stay positive and make better decisions during crisis. check it out at http://www.artofliving.org/us-en. The best part is that the Organization offers self help courses in 150 countries and you can locate the center closest to you in the state you are living.

Alka Kamra of NJ 8:51PM April 20, 2011

You raise some very important points and also offer excellent suggestions. As a therapist and someone who has weathered several crisis-level personal events in the past two years, I also recommend structure and ritual. It has helped me survive - work has often literally saved me.
Well-meaning people who ask you why you aren't at home instead of work should understand that keeping some normalcy in your life during these times may be just what you need.

Nancy of OH 11:05AM April 09, 2011

Luckestuc; I'm like you. I wish I would known this sooner as well. I left my job last year with the same issues. The only thing that different I asked for two personal leave days off and my boss lady refused the days.
1. If you trust your supervisor, tell them what’s going on. I thought she could be trusted but I was wrong. She was more worried about the job than me, go figure, I didn't see that coming.

Pure Joy of SC 12:19AM April 08, 2011

I left a job in 2000 that I loved because of spousal issues, and if I would've had this advice; I probably would've found a way to stay until I retire from that job. I eventually wound up getting rid of the spouse anyway, so it wouldn't have mattered, and much of what I had planned for myself would've took center-stage, since she was against my plans anyway! My advice to anyone reading this note: Always choose a supporting cast to your life. It makes living easier!

Ronald Stuckey of DC 10:52AM April 06, 2011

I lived through this experience--and multiple changes of my direct boss as my wife went through stages of cancer that ultimately took her life. Being honest with my bosses, and never making it a work place issue were the keys to long term success at a job-and not just survival.
I've chronicled this on my blog http://dadthesingleguy.com Maybe I should do a post about how to manage this message in the work place--its not a simple thing, and it requires knowing your audience.

esd714 of NY 8:44PM April 05, 2011