Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:28 am Post subject: Birthday coming up and dreading it!
My B-day is on V-day and I am absolutely dreading that day! I have been freaking out for the last week thinking about it! At my work we have a Birthday Club in which they buy treats for everyone in my department when it's someones birthday. It's supposed to be a nice thing, you know? But I am freaking out because I do not want the attention on me! Not only is it my birthday but it's also Valentines day and I don't want anyone asking me about my relationship. I am panicking! I just know I am going to be bright red all day and feel so stupid! Last night I was contemplating how I could make myself sick and not go to work that day. Or I could take my vacation! Or I could quit! I was actually thinking I could quit my job and have no source of income just so I can avoid having attention on me! I am sooo nervous about it!
You're making way too big a deal out of this. It's all in your head. Birthdays are meant to be enjoyed, and I'm sure everyone in your office will help you to enjoy your big day. The first half hour might be rough, but it will be smooth sailing from there.
Just to let you know, my birthdays coming up the day after yours, and I'm dreading it, too. I know from past experiences like the one you're dreading that the hardest part will be walking into your office. It's all downhill from there. I promise. I know it seems dreadful now, but once you begin working on your birthday it will just be another day at the office. Stick it out or you'll regret it.
Give this some more thought, and you'll realize that you really don't want to give yourself the gift of joblessness for your birthday.
I hope that provided some helpful insight, because I know first hand what it's like to throw away something great because of anxiety (college for me).
I know exactly how you feel krs2snow. The people that I work with do the exact same thing for everybody's birthday. They buy a cake, sing "Happy Birthday", give you presents and big balloons so everyone will know ~ there's no gettin around it. I usually freak out a few days before my birthday too. I have had thoughts of walking out/not showing up/calling in sick....but they'll just get ya the next time you're in. Just keep in mind that they're only doing it to celebrate with you ~ to show you that they enjoy being around you, it's not meant to be a horrible thing. As soon as it's over with, you'll feel relieved and happy that you did stay.
Don't quit your job over some birthday attention. Everybody on earth has a birthday to celebrate, so there's no avoiding it. Most places do the birthday celebratory thing ~ you can't go through life quitting every job because of the anxiety you feel on your birthday. Trust me, it's not so bad once you actually get on with the day. I even feel anxiety getting gifts from my close family because I don't want the attention...but it feels good to know people actually care about you. Just stick it out, don't quit your job!! You'll definitely regret it and you'll feel defeated by letting your anxiety take over.
You could even maybe let your co-workers know how much you dislike being in the spotlight and ask them to "tone it down" for you.
a double whammy of red face trouble-birthday and valentines day. i know how you feel, where i work they used to make a big deal of celebrating someone's birthday (thankfully they don't anymore) and i'd get embarrassed and go a nice shade of red. You really shouldn't quit your job over it though-you'll regret it the day after and you'll have the hassle of finding another job (which at this time of the year is going to be hard) and all the trouble that comes with that. just ride the day out and see it through, i know its hard and a pain the ass but what can ya do. see you on the other side.
a lot of aquariuses (that is not the right spelling...) in here! my birthday is the 17th. i think most people hate having he birthday song sung to them. i can relate to how u feel though, ive wanted to quit work because of social anxiety, even when im doing a job i love. funny how this stuff messes with your sense of priorities huh?
Hi. Thanks so much for everyone's words of encouragement and understanding. I'm not really going to quit my job- I just wish I could!!! At least for the one day. I do realize I am making way, way, too big a deal out it. Now, if the knot in my stomach would just realize it too! Hey, you know what would be great? If all you other red and anxious Aquarian's would be kind enough to meet me on the 14th at my place of employment. That'd be greeaat. (It's not a half day either- yes, an Office Space reference... seemed an appropriate time for it) Anyway, we could all sit in a circle and nervously sing "Age of Aquarius" together. Maybe with the combination of new faces and the horrible song selection nobody will notice how damn red I am!
yes, you're a fan of office space- great film, if you could just go ahead and do that for me, that would be greeaaattt! Actually sometimes to calm myself down in a stressful situation I think of scenes in funny films like office space. You could think about the scene where milton doesn't get any cake at the birthday celebration
Yeah HH, I was cracking up the other day because this woman I work with was going from cubical to cubical looking for her stapler. She'd seriously lost it and was asking other co-workers if they'd seen it or knew where it was! I said "Mary! Have you ever seen Office Space?" She said she hadn't and I didn't elaborate because you'd have to know Mary. She is literally the female version of Milton! (I'm not so sure she'd of found it so funny!) And get this- she's the file clerk! I swear to God! Hahahaha!
Last edited by krs2snow on Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:08 pm; edited 2 times in total
Joined: Jul 23, 2006 Posts: 387 Location: -Gulf of Mexico-
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject: Birth day
Wow when I saw this post I just had to reply. My birth day is also a few days before valintines day and I work at the supermarket so Its alwayse hell because Its busy on that day and there are couuple every where smooching and cuddling. I hate that day with a passion.
To make matters worst the match makers will be out in full force.
Yeah HH, I was cracking up the other day because this woman I work with was going from cubical to cubical looking for her stapler. She'd seriously lost it and was asking other co-workers if they'd seen it or knew where it was! I said "Mary! Have you ever seen Office Space?" She said she hadn't and I didn't elaborate because you'd have to know Mary. She is literally the female version of Milton! (I'm not so sure she'd of found it so funny!) And get this- she's the file clerk! I swear to God! Hahahaha!
thats inspired, a female version of milton-great. Does she wear big glasses. I love it.
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Just keep in mind that they're only doing it to celebrate with you ~ to show you that they enjoy being around you, it's not meant to be a horrible thing. As soon as it's over with, you'll feel relieved and happy that you did stay.
Hey, you know what would be great? If all you other red and anxious Aquarian's would be kind enough to meet me on the 14th at my place of employment. That'd be greeaat. (It's not a half day either- yes, an Office Space reference... seemed an appropriate time for it) Anyway, we could all sit in a circle and nervously sing "Age of Aquarius" together. Maybe with the combination of new faces and the horrible song selection nobody will notice how damn red 
Hahahaha!