Boundaries with job & impending trial period end & dying parent

I got a job that I was really excited about which began in October 2024. My trial period is ending in 15 days and the work is stressful. There are weekly deadlines, complex processes, multiple projects at once… my sisters call it my first “big girl job” (I am 33…). Currently, I am combatting major spiraling because I took a week sick leave starting today. The reason is mostly because of overwhelm. For a month now, nothing I worked on felt good. A good portion of my overwhelm might be due to the fact that my mother died two weeks ago.
I decided I needed some distance. My superior is disappointed and questioning whether it is a good idea to keep me on. What can I do to alleviate this negativity and guilt about having to draw this boundary?

 

Answer:

It sounds like this is one of those hard times of life. Sometimes our feelings just need to be honored, heard, and seen to make them feel a little less intense. We don’t need to do anything but listen to what they’re trying to say. If you could invite the negativity and guilt in for a cuppa, what do they want to communicate? What kind of understanding can you build by hearing them out?

We’re so sorry to hear of your loss. This is a tender time, give yourself a lot of grace, and the space you need for your grief.