How do you work after seeing something like this?
One day when I was on my way to work, I noticed that traffic was really backed up. It really wasn't anything out of the ordinary (heavy traffic’s pretty common where I live), but I didn’t have a way to turn off or find a different route.
As I moved forward, I realized why everything was backed up. A motorcyclist had been clipped by a car and was lying in the middle of the road. The bike was destroyed, and pieces were scattered everywhere.
Thankfully, the paramedics were able to cut through the traffic and get to him pretty quickly. But, seeing it up close like that really shook me. Traffic had to drive up on the sidewalk just to get around the crash! It covered 4 lanes.
I pulled over and called my manager to let her know I’d be late. I actually I cried for a few minutes, I was so upset. I’d never seen anything like that before, and I still don’t know what happened to him. I just hope he’s okay.
I eventually pulled myself together and went in, but that shift was rough. I was distracted the whole day thinking about it.
💭 Have you ever had to work right after seeing something heavy or unexpected? How did you handle it?
#cozychats #lemon8challenge #shifts #asklemon8 #lemon8contest
Witnessing a serious incident such as a motorcyclist being hit during your commute can have a profound emotional impact, often making it difficult to focus on work afterward. Traffic disruptions caused by crashes not only create physical obstacles but also lead to psychological distress for those who witness them. When something intense happens on your way to work, like the OCR content reveals—"WHAT'S THE MOST INTENSE THING YOU'VE WiTNESSED ON YOUR COMMUTE?" and "ON MY WAY TO WORK, TRAFFIC GOT REALLY BACKED UP."—it’s normal to feel shaken and distracted. The experience of seeing "A MOTORCYCLIST HAD BEEN HiT" up close, with debris scattered and paramedics arriving, can be overwhelming and trigger feelings of fear, sadness, or anxiety. To handle the emotional fallout, it helps to first acknowledge your feelings rather than suppress them. Allowing yourself a brief moment to process, such as pulling over safely and taking a few deep breaths, can provide initial relief. Communicating with your workplace about being late or distracted, as the author did by calling her manager, is important to manage expectations and reduce additional stress. In the longer term, practicing self-care is essential. This includes talking to friends or colleagues about your experience, which can provide social support and help you feel less isolated. Engaging in calming activities after work, like gentle exercise, meditation, or journaling, can also help restore your mental balance. If the distress persists or affects your ability to work consistently, seeking professional counseling or employee assistance programs might be beneficial. Everyone processes traumatic events differently, but the common thread is the importance of kindness to oneself. It's okay to feel upset or distracted after witnessing an accident. Recognizing the impact and taking proactive steps to care for your emotional health can help you regain focus and continue your daily responsibilities with a renewed sense of resilience. If you have had to work after witnessing something similarly heavy, consider how you coped and what strategies helped you best. Sharing those experiences can foster a supportive community and provide practical tips for others in similar situations.
Well as a girl who’s only 16, I’ve seen a few accidents in my life. Only a handful where they were really bad. I remember coming home from the bus to be welcomed with two cars destroyed on pole a few steps from my house. I could see the woman’s head bleeding. Luckily before I was dropped off my neighbor called the ambulance but I’ll never forget seeing the woman being unconscious with blood running down her head onto her face. It wasn’t a clear view but if you were looking you could see it. I don’t know of her where about now but I feel you, and I understand how hard it is to experience something like that.