Starting new job on Monday. First “real” job in a long time. Just need some support.

[MasterRoshi]

Hi all. Anxiety is intense most days when presented with social events (even as small as getting a haircut). But with CBT it seems to be getting lightly better.

The problem with the Internet job hunt, is I was totally able to submit job applications, email the company, follow up etc... because internet is so fR removed from actual human contact, I was able to line up job a interview with little to no anxiety.

Then I freaked out about the interviews (3 of them) and must have done well because they offered me the job.

I went down to them yesterday to sign the offer letter, which wS really scary once again, and my anxiety was high, and I was so nervous while there I can’t remember anyone’s names and couldn’t hold a conversations.

My first day is in Monday, and I want to do good, but for me I can’t function when anxious and my brain shuts off so I can’t thjnk of any questions to ask them to prepare for Monday. And ignoring it seems to calm the anxious thoughts (but doesn’t seem like the best thing to do).

I am already freaking out about Monday and playing all sorts of story lines in my head.

Any advice for work? How to handle work and anxiety? How to prepare?

Or just some support and your experience with work and anxiety???

Th als!

 

[brtmdo]

Hi all. Anxiety is intense most days when presented with social events (even as small as getting a haircut). But with CBT it seems to be getting lightly better.

The problem with the Internet job hunt, is I was totally able to submit job applications, email the company, follow up etc... because internet is so fR removed from actual human contact, I was able to line up job a interview with little to no anxiety.

Then I freaked out about the interviews (3 of them) and must have done well because they offered me the job.

I went down to them yesterday to sign the offer letter, which wS really scary once again, and my anxiety was high, and I was so nervous while there I can’t remember anyone’s names and couldn’t hold a conversations.

My first day is in Monday, and I want to do good, but for me I can’t function when anxious and my brain shuts off so I can’t thjnk of any questions to ask them to prepare for Monday. And ignoring it seems to calm the anxious thoughts (but doesn’t seem like the best thing to do).

I am already freaking out about Monday and playing all sorts of story lines in my head.

Any advice for work? How to handle work and anxiety? How to prepare?

Or just some support and your experience with work and anxiety???

Th als!

Congratulations on the new job. these are things i learned from cbt. any time a negative thought about work pops up say "this is not helpful for my goal of success" and block the thought. or when a negative work thought starts immediately replace it with positive self talk like "what a great opportunity to get my life back on track. and when you start to think how anxious you might be on your first day, remind yourself that anxiety is the main emotion felt by all new employees. the regular staff will expect you to be nervous

 

[triceps]

Thank God I just retired. I'd be going through everything you are if I was starting a new job. The great thing is that you made it through those anxiety-riddled interviews and got the job! And what's the deal with haircuts? Just got one today and I thought I was going to have to leave in the middle of it. My advice for the first day is to try to ask as many questions as possible to the person who will be giving you the orientation tour and not worry about the other co-workers on that first day. It might keep you focused and less concerned about others noticing your anxiety. So many unknowns that first day and so many fewer with each workday thereafter.

 

[MasterRoshi]

Congratulations on the new job. these are things i learned from cbt. any time a negative thought about work pops up say "this is not helpful for my goal of success" and block the thought. or when a negative work thought starts immediately replace it with positive self talk like "what a great opportunity to get my life back on track. and when you start to think how anxious you might be on your first day, remind yourself that anxiety is the main emotion felt by all new employees. the regular staff will expect you to be nervous

Thank God I just retired. I'd be going through everything you are if I was starting a new job. The great thing is that you made it through those anxiety-riddled interviews and got the job! And what's the deal with haircuts? Just got one today and I thought I was going to have to leave in the middle of it. My advice for the first day is to try to ask as many questions as possible to the person who will be giving you the orientation tour and not worry about the other co-workers on that first day. It might keep you focused and less concerned about others noticing your anxiety. So many unknowns that first day and so many fewer with each workday thereafter.

Thanks to you both for the support!

I’ll do my best to practice the CBT skills and be mindful until Monday.

Anyone else have advice?? I’m all ears!!

And I’ll be checking back in here regularly when I start to freak out over the next few days.

 

[MasterRoshi]

Just wanted to say in my best moments (insanely brief and fleeting) I can think, “what an exciting and fun adventure. I get to have a company phone and computer! It’s like a super awesome summer camp andventure with cool accessories!”

I’ll try and hold onto these thoughts cuz they’re almost, dare I say, fun and make me smile?

 

[MasterRoshi]

Didn’t want to wake up this morning. Wanted to ignore my alarm and sleep forever. When half asleep had this huge feeling of doom about job on Monday. It was so scary and a huge though that I will fail and I can’t do it...

Now that I’m fully awake it’s nkt as bad but it’s like my deep deep subconscious is freaking out big time and being awake allows me to ignore it. But during sleep I get night sweats, have anxiety nightmares and lose sleep from tossing and turning all night.

 

[Chris]

Anxiety can be bad when you’re sleepy don’t worry about it, I’ve had anxiety like that as well.

Regarding be job, what you’re feeling is completely normal. Everyone has anxiety about the first day at work. You overcame the hard part getting the job, and perhaps the anxiety you had during the interview didn’t cloud your thinking as much as you thought, and I’m sure it will be the same Monday. There might be some awkward moments but don’t worry this is normal! you’ll get through this!!

 

[MasterRoshi]

Anxiety can be bad when you’re sleepy don’t worry about it, I’ve had anxiety like that as well.

Regarding be job, what you’re feeling is completely normal. Everyone has anxiety about the first day at work. You overcame the hard part getting the job, and perhaps the anxiety you had during the interview didn’t cloud your thinking as much as you thought, and I’m sure it will be the same Monday. There might be some awkward moments but don’t worry this is normal! you’ll get through this!!

Thanks. I had to get a tb test today for the job and get my passport. Getting out of the house helped.
I’ll try to stay as active as possible the next few days so I can be as positive as possible.

 

[Chris]

Thanks. I had to get a tb test today for the job and get my passport. Getting out of the house helped.
I’ll try to stay as active as possible the next few days so I can be as positive as possible.

Yes good idea! Getting out of the house will definitely help. I always overthink stuff too when I’m at home because I have nothing else to focus on other than all my worries.

 

[MasterRoshi]

Yes good idea! Getting out of the house will definitely help. I always overthink stuff too when I’m at home because I have nothing else to focus on other than all my worries.

I’m doing a dry run of my work schedule today. Just woke up at 5am. Well, my alarm was set for 5am but for the past 2-4 hours of sleep, it’s been rough...

I have night sweats and get drenched in sweat. And also toss and turn. This increases my anxiety because I tell myself I won’t be prepared for work if I don’t get enough sleep. And then want to sleep more to make up for it...

I’ll ask therapist about night sweats today when I see her. But it’s been pretty bad where after about 2 nights, I need to wash blanket and sheets again.

 

[MasterRoshi]

Went to therapy today. Learning how to accept the situation and not care so much. But it’s now back just a few hours later. Obsessing about my day. And freaking out. I guess it’s a process, which I’m aware it is. And in time it will get easier.

But for now I’ll go to bed and get up early. Hope to feel better tomorrow.

 

[Rinka]

Went to therapy today. Learning how to accept the situation and not care so much. But it’s now back just a few hours later. Obsessing about my day. And freaking out. I guess it’s a process, which I’m aware it is. And in time it will get easier.

But for now I’ll go to bed and get up early. Hope to feel better tomorrow.

I wish you all the best. Starting your schedule early is s good idea. It settles your body clock to the new habit. The first few days are always hard really. They know this and will be more forgiving. What kind of job will you do? Maybe doing some research about the role might help you as well.

 

[MasterRoshi]

I wish you all the best. Starting your schedule early is s good idea. It settles your body clock to the new habit. The first few days are always hard really. They know this and will be more forgiving. What kind of job will you do? Maybe doing some research about the role might help you as well.

I am working for a non profit that helps homeless people get employment

I just woke up for day two of early morning schedule.

Had thoughts that life is too hard. Why do I have to spend my entire life inconvenienced and tired doing work? Why is all my time being spent working. This makes no sense! I won’t ever see friends and family. This is lame! Life is lame...I’m so tired!

After about 10 minutes of being awake I feel a bit better but am really tired still and feel like I didn’t get enough sleep...

 

[Talgin]

You are going to do great! Anxiety makes me tired all the time! I do find that I have anxiety about having anxiety....very annoying! Sounds like what you have. Just remember to not give up. Yell at the anxiety and tell it you don't care. It will eventually fade.

 

[Rinka]

I am working for a non profit that helps homeless people get employment

I just woke up for day two of early morning schedule.

Had thoughts that life is too hard. Why do I have to spend my entire life inconvenienced and tired doing work? Why is all my time being spent working. This makes no sense! I won’t ever see friends and family. This is lame! Life is lame...I’m so tired!

After about 10 minutes of being awake I feel a bit better but am really tired still and feel like I didn’t get enough sleep...

I feel similar about working. For me its like slavery just with extra steps. Or prostitution, I’m selling my time and body to an organisation and can’t do what I want with MY time of MY life!

 

[MasterRoshi]

You are going to do great! Anxiety makes me tired all the time! I do find that I have anxiety about having anxiety....very annoying! Sounds like what you have. Just remember to not give up. Yell at the anxiety and tell it you don't care. It will eventually fade.

Thanks! This helps a bit. Appreciate the support.

I feel similar about working. For me its like slavery just with extra steps. Or prostitution, I’m selling my time and body to an organisation and can’t do what I want with MY time of MY life!

Glad to know I’m not alone in this.

 

[triceps]

Well Master, how did your morning go today? I have every expectation that things will go much better than you've been dreading tomorrow. Best of luck that you can be at relative peace today and that you'll get pumped about helping those folks out tomorrow.

 

[Chris]

Let us know how you get on today. Wish you all the best.

 

[Talgin]

Good luck today! Remember that it is okay to be anxious. They are only feelings. Move through it and accept it and it will ease up!

 

[MasterRoshi]

Thanks all. Yesterday was full of anxiety but also I had moments of acceptance toward the end of the day.

I was able to have an attitude of “who cares if I fail or not It’s only a job, and if I don’t like it I could quit on Tuesday if I really wanted to.” It helped me not think of it as such an important defining thing.

But that was yesterday... mornings are the worst for my anxiety. First of all I couldn’t fall asleep. I was anxious about not getting enough sleep, so then I was anxious that I wasn’t asleep yet and that kept me up... finally fell asleep an hour later...then had night sweats again and tossed and turned a bunch also anxious that I would miss my alarm.

The first thing I thought when my alarm went off was “oh no!” I’ve now been awake for 18 minutes and am still very scared.

Time to do my morning routine and see how I am after that. I’m getting up 4 hours early so I can do stuff to get me in a better mood. Cuz waking up and rushing to work makes the anxiety worse.