Starting Full Time Work- Anxiety pulls me back

[anxietycontrol99]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to post on here to see if anyone feels the same way, or has gone through this.

I have had anxiety since a young age and I still really struggle with it to this day (I’m 19)

I’m going to interviews at the moment to start a full time traineeship for business administration. It’s something I want and should do, so I can be earning enough and completed some sort of study at the same time.

However I get really anxious right before interviews and I don’t show up half of the time because I convince myself I don’t want to work full time.

im worried about losing all of my spare time to work, and not having enough time to myself, with my partner and with my dog. I really value that spare time and it makes me anxious that I’m losing so much of it.

has anyone gone through something similar to this?

thank you x

[blondguy]

Hi Anxietycontrol99

Welcome to the forums and great to have you with us!

You are one of many thousands that experience anxiety prior to interviews. I used to be the same in every interview I had too. You are not alone at all

I used to have seriously bad anxiety for a long time and I understand what you are going through except that I wanted to work full time

Being 19 can be difficult with anxiety yet its a great period to be starting a career in the field you want to study (business administration) I understand you about have the time for your partner and your dog too 🙂

After what you have posted....Can I ask if you actually want full time employment?

The forums are non judgemental and a safe place for you to post 🙂

Questions are very welcome!...... your well being and privacy are paramount to the forums

my kind thoughts

Paul

[anxietycontrol99]

Hi Paul,

thank you for your response! It’s always nice to hear that you’re not alone and that others can relate.

im not sure about full time work. I definitely need to have it, for money reasons. But I’ve never worked full time so I don’t know if spending all of my time in something is what I want.

it is definitely what I need

[Thunderdog]

Hey Anxietycontrol99,

I've been in that boat too. I still get anxious before interviews, but now have a much better attitude towards it if that makes sense? I used to put myself down for being so anxious before I realised it was actually a problem. So don't beat yourself up too much about interviews, everyone hates them at least a little 🙂

I guess the big question is do you really want a full time job? You seem to have answered that already stating you need the money. Losing time for yourself is a normal concern but just weight up the pros and cons.

Also at the end of the day if it's too much working full time you can quit and try something different but I'm sure you will find it not so bad as I did. Good luck, be kind to yourself, it's a hard period for anyone and just give it a shot and see what comes of it! 🙂

Look forward to hearing how it goes regardless!

[Kakapo]

Hi there,

I can relate - I ended up avoiding work from the age of about 18-23 because of anxiety/confidence.

If you can make it a goal you want to achieve, that may help. Like finishing your trainee-ship, and if you finish and you don't like it - there's no obligation to stay, you can try another venture 🙂

What makes a big difference for me is the work environment, I've worked with good people that cared about me, and people that didn't care about me or who pressured me. There's nothing wrong with walking away from somewhere if it's not your thing.

Scheduling in time with your partner to make sure you give each other quality time can be a good way to get the most out of your free time. And then there's the weekends 🙂

Anxiety is a rough one to put up with, debriefing with a professional has helped me get it off my chest. I'm thinking of going back to see my psychologist as I'm feeling overwhelmed with working + studying (I'm doing something every day for the next 2 years, ahh!)

There's also perspective, that can help - when I look back at not working, I see the growth I missed out on (and the money!). It was also really hard for me to break into the workforce as a 23 year old, so I appreciate that I'm even employable now. It took about a year of building myself up to get there through volunteering and studying (business admin like yourself).

Thank you for sharing. One day at a time, enjoy the opportunities and fun in between 🙂

[gloria10]

I am sorry you're experiencing this and I do understand what you are going through.

There is a bit of change when taking on a fulltime job but in time you will adjust to the new routine and find ways to do things you enjoy. One thing I have found is scheduling time for things like, even if it's an hour or so after work for gaming or time for shopping, it's still my time and a break from work.

Have you also considered part-time work? There are opportunities out there for 30 hours a week, close to full time but with time for yourself and what's important.

Wishing you the best!