Anxiety, new job

[Chrissy M]

Hi my name is Chris,

I was always suffered from anxiety.  Well recently I started a new job and my anxiety has got out of hand.  I feel overwhelmed, stressed (migraines) can't think straight, not my happy relaxed self, I am physically and mentally a wreck at work.  I an also dislexia, so I learn hands on, and pick up new skills slower.  Being a single person this puts more pressure on me.  Please help any ideas to help overcome this negative mindset.

[E92]

Hi Chris, I hope you're doing well. 🌻🧡

Starting a new job can be very stressful especially when anxiety is lurking over you.

What I have tried is lighting a nice candle and listening to soothing music then try to understand why I'm feeling a certain way and talk myself through it. 

I hope you've reached out to people at work. Sometimes they have someone you can talk to when feeling overwhelmed.

Take care. 🌻🧡

[Chrissy M]

Thank you.🌸

For your kind words and advice

[jaz28]

hi chris,

i am sorry you are experiencing this, it would be hard. These seem like the symptoms of anxiety for sure, i know how you feel - it's so frustrating 😞 

my partner has dyslexia and he is a tradie, because of what you said - he learns hands on. i can see it cause him stress when he has to do bookwork and things like that, in fact he actively avoids it because he doesn't like the stress. it's hard. especially when you need to push through it to make an income.

the best thing with my anxiety was tackling my worries hands on, and realising they weren't too bad. but, i did this with the help of psychologist. is this something you would be open to?

i hope things get better soon,

jaz xx

[rufina03]

Hi Chris!

I hope something here helps…

There’s a lot of people who learn hands - so you are aware of how you learn best and separating dyslexia for a moment - new jobs are a bit stressful no matter what because we are all anxious to show we are capable and want to learn the job and reach the point of ‘knowing’ faster than our minds can.

We forget how long it takes to learn things when we are moving into something new. 

Good news is… it’s a common feeling and so everyone is in the same boat. 

So maybe just remembering that is a strategy - not in the sense of taking away how hard you work. I mean. The awareness of shared experience and actually looking around and seeing that inside everyone’s mind are fears, anxieties and insecurities that they hide.

As for the challenges of the new role - what went well? What did you do today that was one step closer to learning your job?

And what mistakes did you learn from? You grew from that experience. 

The brain learns through repetition until the pathways get strong and that’s the process you’re in.

I don’t have specific advice for dyslexia but giving yourself a break and being kind is important.

I have a condition which is invisible and affects learning and remembering that we all start off not knowing… all have to practice our job and it take time… writing a list of what went well before bed…

Tomorrow is another day. Anxiety feels awful and I have to say this a lot when I struggle with something challenging. Hot shower, hot cup of tea. Snuggle into bed. Tomorrow is another day. 

And I also constantly remind myself of the end goal. I visualize where I’ll be when I master things.

I take as much as I can and make it an exciting challenge…

And the stuff I can’t do that with and just beats me down - I acknowledge what happened that day and write my list of what I learnt or how I grew - and have a ‘it’s ok, tomorrow I’ll get back on the horse’

It’s important to accept and be ok with these hard feelings and let them just be. New jobs are stressful. Challenges that others can’t see are stressful.

have you disclosed your condition because people can accommodate your learning style and work with you to find things that work 

it’s not a big deal. Not a big ask. I would have no problems working with you and figuring out how to buddy with you and train you up according to your learning style and needs… and be encouraging 

so this isn’t a big ask but only if you disclose your condition normally

if you don’t disclose then you’re like me… I never do. Maybe there’s something on YouTube about your job? The type of work you do?

If they’re telling you to read procedures and not accommodating you… just say you learn by watching and doing and ask to buddy with someone 

Babies don’t learn to work by reading a user manual… neither do most adult 

[yours_truly]

Hey Chris,

I’m sorry to hear that you are in this situation. I would recommend you do some research about your workplace and what they offer for those with dyslexia and anxiety, or if they do at all. If you work differently as an individual and are dealing with some heavy emotional burdens, and your employers aren’t aware, they may overlook it and put you at a disadvantage. It would be unfavourable towards you, considering you are having a hard time.

I wish you the best,

yours_truly

[Aussie.Girl]

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but I think everyone experiences some degree of anxiety when starting a new job, and it's completely normal that it will take some time for you to settle into your new role.

Please try to give yourself some leniency while you adjust. I'm sure none of your coworkers think any less of you for needing some time to get used to your new responsibilities.

Try to keep a positive mindset and acknowledge the things you are good at, instead of focusing solely on the things you need to improve on. 

Hope this helps. I'm sure you will be ok, just remember they hired you for a reason. 

I hope you feel more comfortable and confident soon.