@Sarah Peetermans It sounds like you are just starting a new relationship with your brain in addition with your co-workers. Think of it like dating! You really want to get to know your brain and what makes it happy, calm, excited, sad, overwhelmed, mad, frustrated, etc... Over time you will learn that you being you is exactly what it needs and wants. It will just take a little time to figure it out. Give yourself permission to take care of your wants, needs and desires. Who cares what anyone else thinks! You are the only one that suffers if you don't head those nudges to get up and move. You were hired to do a job because of your assets, not your liabilities! You've got this! Embrace the "difference" in you! Lord knows, this world would be extremely boring if we were all the SAME! Same ability, sex, race, belief systems, emotions...how would you like to live in a black and white world?? Yuck! I much prefer the rainbow of people!!! Setting expectations of your co-workers is also a good place to start to limit interruptions so you can focus. Using noise cancelling headphones with focus brain frequencies will be very beneficial to you, but getting up and taking breaks is also very beneficial. You will find your balance between the 2. When you have your headphones on, put a sign up on when and how you can help your team. Communicate, communicate, communicate!!!

@Sarah Peetermans I'm not sure how you start your day but maybe locking in your safety so your nervous system doesn't get so overwhelmed during the day. This can look like a meditation or affirmation of sorts. It is just a brief reminder to the system that everything is going to be ok and that you ARE SAFE! I know it's easier said than done but it wouldn't hurt to try. We are so bombarded by information and tasks and expectations and...it's no wonder we get overwhelmed in our environments. There is NO SHAME in that. You are just responding to what your system is receiving from the environment. It's great that you went to music as that is a great tool to help balance your system. Remember, this is a process and not an event! Every little positive change you make now will grow 100fold over time. Congrats on having the awareness about yourself! That in itself is HUGE!!!!

Wow! @Jim Ebbelaar I literally feel like I won the lottery! Thanks so much and can't wait to test and provide feedback.

@Cathy A Castagna I wonder if it is just the peace and quiet when everyone else is sleeping? That is part of the reason I like the wee hours!

@Darci Wert I can so relate. I remember when I started with a trainer again. I had messed up my shoulder and hadn’t been to the gym in forever. It’s not really a place that I have “fun” and like to frequent. There were so many things going on during those first visits back. Fear of failure…. grief like Sage mentioned to you. A deep sadness that I allowed my body to get that way. I left a lot of tears on the gym floor after I couldn’t even do 1 pushup!! What I did learn is that healing is a process. I gave myself some time and grace to at least get back into the gym. That’s progress! It has been slow going but I know my body can completely heal. I do believe in miracles!!! And a bit of exercise and intentional living! Progress is 1 step at a time. Congrats on your first step. Let’s celebrate that you will take many, many more and that the memories of feeling good will over power any grief of what was.