Employment and mental illness

[Nervybella]

Hi everyone,

Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately and thought I would make a post- I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders this...

I am in my early 20s, not long out of school. I have no real passions or hobbies. At the moment I'm working full time in an office.

I have anxiety relating to working (after a bad work environment) and what I'm wondering is...from experience what sort of jobs/professions are the best for people struggling with mental illness?

The job I'm in now has me travelling an hour each way to/from work, working 9-5 five days a week, with the occasional Saturday. It can get quite busy in the office and I find it very stressful at times. I'm constantly tired and wondering if I'm doing the right thing with my life.

I don't really have any qualifications to live jobs just yet- and I don't hate my job, but can't see myself doing it forever.

Would really like to hear from people who have worked in different industries.

This has been playing on my mind a lot lately because I just don't know what I can do with my life while anxiety is niggling at the back of my brain

Thanks for reading,

Bella

[white knight]

Hi nervybella

They say if your job is your hobby- you'll never work a day in your life.

Think long about what you love to do...makeup, hairstyling, clothing, wedding stuff, and so on. Then pursue it.

I worked 1 1/2 hours from work for 3 years and it took its toll. You are effectively working an extra day and a half per week unpaid.

Try to get a job locally or move closer to work. You have to be kind to yourself or burnout comes. It came to me and I've never fully recovered, forced to retire.

Ps try to go to bed a little earlier.

Tony WK

[Zeal]

Hey Bella,

I just wanted to let you know that I am proud of you, as odd as that may sound in an online space 😛 The fact that you have a full-time office job only a few years out of high school, and while dealing with anxiety - that's great!
I was honestly impressed when I read your post (and I still am)!

Now, done to the gritty stuff! It sounds as though you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed, not only because you have a busy full-time job role while dealing with anxiety, but also because you are confused about what you want to do/what inspires you. While you may not have any specific hobbies, there is probably something that interests you. It's possible you just haven't realised it yet. I realised what I was passionate about at about 21, and I am still studying and trying to work my way towards my goal at the age of 24. That's okay though. Often people do things later nowadays. In fact, I read somewhere that in terms of maturity, studies have shown that, on a mental level, people don't feel like a true adult until about 25!

Have you talked to a family member or close friend about how this past bad work environment has affected you? It's important not to keep these negative emotions to yourself. While it's not good to talk badly about a past employer (not saying you would), it's more than fine to talk about how a past work role/environment made you feel personally. Talking at length to someone can help to "offload" some of the negative emotions, which is generally beneficial for your mental health. If you feel as though you need more help, seeing a counsellor is a good option.

I agree with Tony that travelling so far to and from work each day must be difficult and tiring.

I don't have advice about work life, unfortunately. I have never had a full-time job before! I'm studying postgraduate counselling and psychotherapy at the moment, and I volunteer.
In terms of working out what interests you, are there any causes that you care a lot about? Maybe you love animals, being with children, reading, making things, baking muffins or something else...

My post hasn't been overly instructive, but I just wanted to respond to you 🙂

Best wishes,

Zeal

[geoff]

hello Bella, I have to to agree with Tony and Zeal, it's the time you have to think when you are travelling to and fro to work, an hour each way gives you enough time to brood away tinking about what could happen or what has already happened and you are worried about it.
Any job or profession you want, so that you will feel comfortable in, would have to be in what field you are really interested in, something that is related to a hobby or what can give you the chance to expand your mind that suits you. Geoff.

[Nervybella]

Hi Tony

Thanks for your comments, definitely something to think about. The possibilities are sort of overwhelming...

I do go to bed fairly early, some days it's what I look forward to most haha

[Nervybella]

Hi Zeal,

Thankyou so much for your lovely comment, really brightened my day 🙂

I do talk to my parents about my past work experience, they are very supportive and my dad was instrumental in my resignation. After seeing me in such a bad place, he really urged me to look after myself. I'm very grateful for them!

I totally agree with your statement about not being a full adult until 25, and good on you for pursuing something you care about!

Thanks again for replying!

Geoff,

I think you're right...that hour long train ride gives my mind a lot of time to run off and create "stories", I think I need to take something with me in the train to keep my mind occupied so that I don't get too deep in my thoughts

Best,

Bella

[Nervybella]

Hi again Tony,

Speaking of burnout...did you get diagnosed by your doctor? What are the symptoms?

Im not at all saying I have burnout, but I woke up this morning and felt terrible, called in sick to work and am contemplating calling in sick again tomorrow.

One trigger for my anxiety is trying to please people/fear of letting people down. Calling in sick almost gave me a panic attack, I feel like I'm not entitled to have time off. Especially when it is because of anxiety and just feeling generally blah.

Had anyone else experienced anxiety when calling in sick? How do you deal with it?

I am glad I didn't go to work today, but at the same time it has induced anxiety that I was managing to keep under control....

I know I'm rambling a bit, and this doesn't really go with this thread, but I just wanted to write this down 😕

Bella