Anxiety and wanting to quit work, need advice ASAP
Hi
I have been dealing with anxiety quite a lot for at least the last two years (I'm 18 atm). It took me nearly a year of trying before I got a job (not turning up to interviews because of nerves etc) and I currently work in an express chain of a big supermarket. I have been working there for just over 6 months on checkouts and unloading crates. I work 9 hours a week. The job makes me extremely anxious and I cry before every shift and feel like I can't breathe before I go in and whilst I'm there. I thought it would get better the longer I stayed but it hasn't at all. It takes up all my time worrying about it and makes me feel so hopeless and unhappy. I think it is mainly because of the social aspect talking to customers and coworkers all day it makes me nervous and I feel like whenever I say anything it seems wrong or stupid or I come across wrong, and I worry about people judging me for it.
Anyway I just wanted advice I guess as I really really want to quit, but people in my family are telling me not to as it pays a lot better than most retail jobs. I just think maybe I need to quit and try to work on myself so I can get a different job in the future when I am in a better place. Advice?
I have been dealing with anxiety quite a lot for at least the last two years (I'm 18 atm). It took me nearly a year of trying before I got a job (not turning up to interviews because of nerves etc) and I currently work in an express chain of a big supermarket. I have been working there for just over 6 months on checkouts and unloading crates. I work 9 hours a week. The job makes me extremely anxious and I cry before every shift and feel like I can't breathe before I go in and whilst I'm there. I thought it would get better the longer I stayed but it hasn't at all. It takes up all my time worrying about it and makes me feel so hopeless and unhappy. I think it is mainly because of the social aspect talking to customers and coworkers all day it makes me nervous and I feel like whenever I say anything it seems wrong or stupid or I come across wrong, and I worry about people judging me for it.
Anyway I just wanted advice I guess as I really really want to quit, but people in my family are telling me not to as it pays a lot better than most retail jobs. I just think maybe I need to quit and try to work on myself so I can get a different job in the future when I am in a better place. Advice?
I recently just quit my job because the same situation. I live alone and have bills to pay so it gets very over whelming. Everything adds up and your emotions burst. Take time to focus on yourself. In life its unfortunate but you can only help yourself. And that starts with clearing your head.
hi,
I have just read this at the perfect time as Im in a similar position but instead its my boss who is making me feel awful. My mental health issues have just began to flare up again since joining the job less than a month Ago. I rang in sick today and im meant to be in work tomorrow bur I feel so sick at the thought. my family don't fully understand the situation but its not worth the money Im hopefully going to quit before my shift tomorrow
I have just read this at the perfect time as Im in a similar position but instead its my boss who is making me feel awful. My mental health issues have just began to flare up again since joining the job less than a month Ago. I rang in sick today and im meant to be in work tomorrow bur I feel so sick at the thought. my family don't fully understand the situation but its not worth the money Im hopefully going to quit before my shift tomorrow
How about keep the job, but volunteer in a quiet sleepy little oxfam store, something like that?
I worked in a big brutal supermarket with anxiety for 4.5 years and wouldn't recommend it even to someone without anxiety, let alone with.
It's a difficult one because no one knows how you are, how your workplace is. Retail is a very varied landscape.
My advice would be keep the job for the moment, have a think, go see the doctor, join a self help group and may try mixing it up exercise, mindfulness before shifts.
I worked in a big brutal supermarket with anxiety for 4.5 years and wouldn't recommend it even to someone without anxiety, let alone with.
It's a difficult one because no one knows how you are, how your workplace is. Retail is a very varied landscape.
My advice would be keep the job for the moment, have a think, go see the doctor, join a self help group and may try mixing it up exercise, mindfulness before shifts.
Original post by Anonymous
hi,
I have just read this at the perfect time as Im in a similar position but instead its my boss who is making me feel awful. My mental health issues have just began to flare up again since joining the job less than a month Ago. I rang in sick today and im meant to be in work tomorrow bur I feel so sick at the thought. my family don't fully understand the situation but its not worth the money Im hopefully going to quit before my shift tomorrow
I have just read this at the perfect time as Im in a similar position but instead its my boss who is making me feel awful. My mental health issues have just began to flare up again since joining the job less than a month Ago. I rang in sick today and im meant to be in work tomorrow bur I feel so sick at the thought. my family don't fully understand the situation but its not worth the money Im hopefully going to quit before my shift tomorrow
Yeah! Social anxiety! My manager was rude and awful to me too! Most cases people cant last in a job more then 6 months when they have this mindset because all the stress adds up to a conclusion of which you end up leaving because you feeling low and angry of your surroundings. Take some time off. Have a breather...if your able to take holiday leave then maybe a week could refresh your head
im working on my resignation letter as we speak to be honest as I know im doing to get in trouble for ringing in sick today, I got reunited with a uni buddy and I couldn't believe within myself how much of a different person I had become as I went back to 'me' when I saw them. I was loud, confident, bubbly, self assured something which work has taken from me. I almost vomited from anxiety yesterday before my shift and then had a panic attack on shift from the anxiety levels at work
You could try talking or writing to a good councillor or therapist since they should be able to help (preferably one that focuses on anxiety related problems). You could also try writing your thoughts and feelings to get them out. If you get diagnosed by a doctor or psychiatrist then you can be given medication or be referred to a specialist.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi
I have been dealing with anxiety quite a lot for at least the last two years (I'm 18 atm). It took me nearly a year of trying before I got a job (not turning up to interviews because of nerves etc) and I currently work in an express chain of a big supermarket. I have been working there for just over 6 months on checkouts and unloading crates. I work 9 hours a week. The job makes me extremely anxious and I cry before every shift and feel like I can't breathe before I go in and whilst I'm there. I thought it would get better the longer I stayed but it hasn't at all. It takes up all my time worrying about it and makes me feel so hopeless and unhappy. I think it is mainly because of the social aspect talking to customers and coworkers all day it makes me nervous and I feel like whenever I say anything it seems wrong or stupid or I come across wrong, and I worry about people judging me for it.
Anyway I just wanted advice I guess as I really really want to quit, but people in my family are telling me not to as it pays a lot better than most retail jobs. I just think maybe I need to quit and try to work on myself so I can get a different job in the future when I am in a better place. Advice?
I have been dealing with anxiety quite a lot for at least the last two years (I'm 18 atm). It took me nearly a year of trying before I got a job (not turning up to interviews because of nerves etc) and I currently work in an express chain of a big supermarket. I have been working there for just over 6 months on checkouts and unloading crates. I work 9 hours a week. The job makes me extremely anxious and I cry before every shift and feel like I can't breathe before I go in and whilst I'm there. I thought it would get better the longer I stayed but it hasn't at all. It takes up all my time worrying about it and makes me feel so hopeless and unhappy. I think it is mainly because of the social aspect talking to customers and coworkers all day it makes me nervous and I feel like whenever I say anything it seems wrong or stupid or I come across wrong, and I worry about people judging me for it.
Anyway I just wanted advice I guess as I really really want to quit, but people in my family are telling me not to as it pays a lot better than most retail jobs. I just think maybe I need to quit and try to work on myself so I can get a different job in the future when I am in a better place. Advice?
Hiya! I also work for a supermarket and used to work full time. My anxiety flares up every now and again and it was really draining over Christmas - not wanting to go in, having panic attacks on checkouts etc (thankfully mine just make me feel quite numb so I wait for them to pass and nobody really notices). I thought about quitting but also needed money to pay for my masters course. I asked if I could cut down my hours from 4 days to 2 days a week and that's really helped. The hours are more manageable and thankfully my anxiety has calmed down recently. Maybe ask if you could cut down your hours for a bit? Sometimes you need to put your mental health first though and if it's clear that work isn't helping, then focus on yourself for a bit and find another job when it's right for you. Sometimes volunteering jobs are a good way to get into a routine because you're not actually bound by a contract and it takes the pressure off of having to turn up all the time (I know social pressures flare my anxiety up). Look after yourself though and do what's right for you!! Hope everything sorts itself out xx
