Feeling Better, give it a try.

[_teve68_]

Hi again to post number three.

So after loosing my job as an electrical supervisor and struggling to make sense of the way in which I was dismissed. I spent six months on the couch sleeping, but I knew I had to provide for my family so I did a training course for traffic control. So the last three weeks I've been doing traffic control on some of Melbourne's level crossing removal project. It has been a positive experience but at the same time feeling like a very temporary job, not matching my skill set, but feeling appreciated again has made me feel a bit better.

But after doing a twelve hour shift on Saturday, I walked in the front door dressed in my high vis clothes to have my mother in law laugh out loud the second she laid eyes on me. She then said the washing needs bringing in and it was my job as I was now the house wife because I lost my high paying job, and now her daughter has to start working after not working for 20 years. Both these people destroy me with there toxic comments.

I chose this stepping stone job to reset my career, and put a little money back into the bank account. So here comes the self hate again, the belief that I am not good enough.! I just deleted all my dark thoughts because this time I want to share the positives. it was good to get out and work. it was good to get out and socialise. it was good to get out in the fresh air. it was good to get out of the house, it was good to get out and have a laugh.

These people that control traffic across Melbourne's intersections and train crossings are a special breed. They (we) are abused all day long by the general public who can't join the dots...that the traffic people are only there to guide and keep people safe and are not part of what ever the project might be. Traffic control are a third party bought in to help with the control of hazards that arise from project work.

But here is the kicker, these people laugh and have a good time doing there job. I have had more abuse yelled at me then ever before in my life, but it is like water of a ducks back and sometimes really funny. So if like me you are struggling to return to work, maybe think outside the box just try something anything it might be the first step in a new road to recovery.

Try it you might like it ! it doesn't have to be permanent, maybe just a short journey.

Steve- King of the STOP-SLOW batten.

[mmMekitty]

Hey Steve,

Good on you for stepping up & taking on a very different sort of job, not allowing the loss of your previous job to defeat you. & now, if you can put those insensitive & demeaning comments from your mother-in-law, & your wife (did you say?) into the same category as all those complaints & insults from the general public, you'll be well on your way to feeling better.

You are not the first, certainly not the last & Not the only person in the world to go through this sort of upheaval, such a change in employment & income. Any thing can happen at any time, & I'm guessing you did not actively sabotage your career... these days people are move about in their work lives much more than our parents did, so it's not so unusual at all to experience several different areas of employment during a lifetime.

I am sorry you are not receiving more compassionate support at home.

How cruel those comments can be - like rubbing salt into your wounds. Have you spoken to your wife, alone, about these comments? Have you spoken to her about how you've been feeling & how she could help rather than be causing more pain?

I really ought to go find your other posts - more to your story, eh? So, if I've been on the wrong track, here, I'm sorry. I wish you all the best. I think your 'give it a go' attitude is wonderful. 😺 & a bonus: you are making new friends at work, I hope?

mmMekitty