Experienced Male Primary School Teacher new job riddled with anxiety

[Guest_9632]

Hello,

So this year my family and I made a sea change and moved to a new coastal town with a new job to boot. After working for 15 years in the same school where I was very comfortable, I’m now struggling to cope with the new surrounds and routines of my new school. I’m now on anti deps, speak with a counselor and booked in for a psych (September was the earliest!)

There is no doubt the big change of moving my family into new surrounds is what’s causing this anxiety and I do acknowledge this. I just can’t help over thinking everything I do and am actually fearful of what my colleagues think. I also now work in a open classroom with 2 other classes which is so foreign to me too. I’m use to my own room with 4 walls where I’m in control and can handle the surrounds. That’s all gone now and I’m at odds with dealing with it.

At the end of the day I’m trying to get help, speak about it, my current school are supportive and I have even taken time off. But I’m still struggling to deal with the anxiety and over think so many things, especially on a Monday morning. I just don’t feel like my older self all. No doubt changing schools at the end of the year is an option but it feels so far off. I just need tips to revive the pressure and constant anxiety now.

Any advice would be invaluable. 🙂

[Petal22]

Hi Guest 9632,

Sorry to hear your anxiety was high this morning.. how did the remainder of your day go?

You could always see your gp again if you want to just to have a chat....

I visited my gp a bit while I went through anxiety.....

here to chat

[Guest_9632]

Hi Petal22.

Had a really tough day. Battled through and had some parent teacher meetings in the afternoon too, which did go well. But I got anxious driving home and fell in a heap when I got home. It's hard because I have 2 kids under 4 to come home to and dinner to get through. Tried to put on a brave face, but was very flat. Just got them to bed and now chilling on couch, waiting for my wife who's put the kids down. Im just over thinking but getting overwhelmed thinking of the endless list of things I have to do. It's that time of the year for teachers so this is another added layer to my anxiety, stress. Stress of the job.

I know i just have to prioritise at the moment, make lists and slowly work my way through things. It's just doing that whilst being anxious with my new job makes it bloody tough. Might have to stay back for a couple of hours tomorrow and friday, so im not doing it on the weekend.

I don't want to come across as a whinger either as we all have stressful periods at work. It's just my time. I usually cope well with the stress of things to do but it's just different this time, dealing with it in a new work place with much higher accountability for its staff and a fine tooth comb when it comes to details.

I don't know what the answer is to relieve this anxiety (ill stick to my usual routines) but the only way is forward. I feel I need some kind of motto/ mantra to get me through. Something to motivate me. I don't know...

Anyway thanks everyone for the ongoing support. It's a marathon, not a sprint, i know, it's just this race seems so far from the finish atm.

[white knight]

Hi guest

Actually if you start thinking about motto's it can lead to being more relaxed and motivated.

I have many that I haven't written down-

• I've mention this one (for pressure from others) "My other speed is slower"
• "Am I driving or worrying"?
• "I'll be home soon, my family deserve my time"
• "Worry is non productive"
• "I am better than I believe I am"
• "I'm a teacher, I'll teach myself to cope"
• "I will seek laughter as often as meals are eaten"

I hope those help you find your motto

TonyWK

[Guest_9632]

Thanks TonyWK! 🙏✌️

[bluenight]

Hi Guest

When I started a new job about 12 months ago I was incredibly stressed, anxious, which led to being depressed.

It has gotton a lot better now (Praise God) but the first 3 months were a nightmare!

You sound really dedicated and your anxiety might be because you really value doing a really good job for yourself, your family and the kids you teach. I started anti-depressants after putting them off for a few months and they definetly helped.

I have a lot more to say but I'm tired, and getting ready for bed.

Remember to eat really well, drink enough water and the cups of tea, did you know they contain l-theanine which is uspposed to be good for social anxiety? Just don't over do it as obviously they contain caffeine too!

[Petal22]

Hi Guest 9632,

sorry to hear your day was tough.... I’m glad your parent teacher meetings went well.... I was a parent helper today I only had four kids to look after it was stressful enough trying to keep an eye on all of them so I think you do a wonderful job looking after a class full..... as well as doing it while dealing with anxiety....

I know how tough it is when you are in the thick of anxiety.... it’s really hard! So if you are doing your job aswell as dealing with anxiety you are doing extremely well.....

Would it be possible for you to have a day off if you want to? Just so you can catch up on some sleep, I know you have a young family but if you could just get a few hours sleep it may improve your anxiety a bit.... I know a lack of sleep contributed to my anxiety aswell......

a mantra? Well when I went through mine being OCD...... someone close to me said you’ll have to learn to live with it...... this person has their own struggles in life and they have learned to live with them and carry on..... at that moment I surrendered to my OCD and accepted what I had instead of trying to fight it and saying I didn’t want it.... by accepting what I had I had a shift in mindset and learnt from them on how to get through it ........ and I have now I’m on the other side of it.... it too was a marathon but it was a marathon I won! You too will get through this..... just keep moving forward.... if you need half an hour to your self go and have a coffee at a cafe or go for a walk.......

I know it’s hard to get time to yourself with a young family but even if it’s 20 minutes it may just be a bit of me time to distress a bit.....

was there another phycologist in your area you can see sooner?

Some days will be better than others.... hopefully tomorrow will be a better one 😊

im always here to chat with you...

[Petal22]

Another mantra .... “ I’m an over comer”

or maybe you could think of someone who has been through similar circumstances or a hard time in life and came out the other end better than ever..... this could help motivate you.....

” look beyond the struggle “

[Guest_9632]

Thanks everyone

After having a good chat with my wife last night before bed we made a plan for me to get some exercise. So I got up at 5:30 this morning and went for a small jog. Has helped as mornings are the hardest usually for me. I also need to just plan myself better and allocate time to getting things done for work, hence staying back a couple of nights this week. I'll feel better when I've ticked things off, even if it is a long day.

A little bit of tough love was needed from her. I can spend as much time in bed as I like but it's not going to change anytthing. In terms of a day off, I feel it will get me more behind, so I'm going to keep going. Hopefully a sleep in on the weekend is on the cards.

I've got my meeting with DP tonight so hopefully that gives me some reassuarnce too.

Hoepfully todays a better day.

[Petal22]

Goodmorning Guest 9632,

Your one tough cookie! You really are a very resilient person...

Hopefully a sleep in on the weekend helps you... something to look forward to....

all the best with your meeting today, let me know how it goes...

I hope today is a better day for you 😊

[white knight]

Heaps of quotes here!

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/bb-social-zone/quotes-that-i-like#qlRGSXHzvG...

TonyWK