I suffer from generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and have always struggled with low self-esteem since I was in middle school. I have recently left my job as a Jewelry Associate at Kohl's, which was simple and routine (but barely gave me any hours at all) to a new job as a Customer Service Representative at a birdfeeder company that pays 11.00 per hour and is 30 hours a week.
This is great and all...but as a person with anxiety, I'm bombarded by negative feelings. I was a giant ball of stress the two weeks leading up to the job, and today I've finished my first day. Needless to say it was overwhelming. The people were nice and understanding, but there was SO much information to take in, so many new things to learn, and I am beginning to think that I'm just not cut out for this job and worrying that I will disappoint the people that hired me.
Not to mention the position I will be holding: Customer Service Representative. Social Anxiety + Constant Phone Calls + Dealing with potentially unsatisfied people = Not a good combination. I have always dreaded calling strangers OUTSIDE of work, just the thought of it would make my heart race, and it would take all my courage to get through that call. And now I'm going to do it for a living? What was I thinking?? Plus, the phone itself has a bunch of buttons and functions and is intimidating itself, as if the actual talking wasn't enough. When I returned home I felt mentally exhausted, discouraged, and dreading tomorrow since I have to go back of course.
I'm trying my hardest to be optimistic about this job. I was brave enough to apply in the first place and get through the interview, with something I KNEW would involve phones and talking to people I don't know. Now I'm afraid I've made a mistake by applying in the first place.
Could anyone with social anxiety share their experiences in a new job? How was your first day, or your first week? Did you eventually adjust and how long did it take to do so? Even better, is there anyone here with social anxiety that is currently working a job that requires answering a lot of phone calls, or dealing with strangers on a regular basis?
This is great and all...but as a person with anxiety, I'm bombarded by negative feelings. I was a giant ball of stress the two weeks leading up to the job, and today I've finished my first day. Needless to say it was overwhelming. The people were nice and understanding, but there was SO much information to take in, so many new things to learn, and I am beginning to think that I'm just not cut out for this job and worrying that I will disappoint the people that hired me.
Not to mention the position I will be holding: Customer Service Representative. Social Anxiety + Constant Phone Calls + Dealing with potentially unsatisfied people = Not a good combination. I have always dreaded calling strangers OUTSIDE of work, just the thought of it would make my heart race, and it would take all my courage to get through that call. And now I'm going to do it for a living? What was I thinking?? Plus, the phone itself has a bunch of buttons and functions and is intimidating itself, as if the actual talking wasn't enough. When I returned home I felt mentally exhausted, discouraged, and dreading tomorrow since I have to go back of course.
I'm trying my hardest to be optimistic about this job. I was brave enough to apply in the first place and get through the interview, with something I KNEW would involve phones and talking to people I don't know. Now I'm afraid I've made a mistake by applying in the first place.
Could anyone with social anxiety share their experiences in a new job? How was your first day, or your first week? Did you eventually adjust and how long did it take to do so? Even better, is there anyone here with social anxiety that is currently working a job that requires answering a lot of phone calls, or dealing with strangers on a regular basis?