just need to get this out but no obligation to read it
I feel really alone right now. I feel like I am drowning at work and my general exhaustion level is so high I am not catching up there or at home. I am wrought with anxiety and I have kinda lost the will to push through. There are so many big things to be done and I am stuck on details. And every time I make time someone else has a problem and I get dragged sideways.
And it’s hard to push through when I feel like the world is a mess anyway. What good can I really do? Am I just burning myself out in a corner for nothing?
For reasons the work situation is not a “can you talk to your manager and ask for XYZ” one…what I am carrying is legit mine but I am struggling.
I am just dead sick of being the grown up and the strong one for others right now. I want to go home…whatever that means.
I’ve been in a similar place. Can you take some stress leave/sick leave? Ideally at least two weeks so that a) you can unwind properly and b) somebody else has to pick up the slack at work.
Do it now, not once project x is done or when we’ve met tgat bext deadline. New stuff will keep coming up.
I don’t know what the answers are but you’ve got a friend in me. 💜
Everytime I press the red heart it comes up black. Maybe I’ve used up my red hearts quota or run out of red ink. 🤷♀️ anyway red heart, red heart, red heart.
It’s purple to me?
(I always use black hearts.)
Oh yeah that one is but I like to do red hearts (they keep coming up small and black) because what does any other coloured heart mean?
♥ ♥ ♥
Is stress leave a possibility for you?
Edit: Also, is there anyone close to you that can help with even the smallest of things at home?
yes, take the load off at home
so many hugs
maybe the world and your little part of the world would be a million times messier if not for you
like in Alice in Wonderland, we have to run just to keep in the same place
Since you can’t delegate how about resetting your timetable?
On a positive note, it’s good they want a grown up and do defer.
I’m not sure what to say but feel very like this in other ways.
I’m wondering if there’s any way you can half ass some of the details a little bit so you don’t get stuck? I don’t know what you’re working on but sometimes done > perfect
Otherwise you’re well within your rights to insist on the time you’ve carved out so you don’t get dragged sideways.
Taking some leave in whatever form is a good idea because this sounds like burnout.
Whatever happens I wish you can get some peace of rest somehow, even for a moment.
Okay, scrambled eggs, coffee and overpriced spring water consumed.
Please, please, please, heavy machinery be done when I get back.
That sounds delightful. I too shall make scrambled eggs. (Coupled with leftover brisket)
God bless chilled out movers. Everything went flawlessly and they were such nice guys yet efficient and professional. The perfect thing for one of life’s most stressful times.
One more item gone on FBM, another one pending… LL has finally emailed to say how she wants the keys dropped off - thankfully the agency’s only a 15 min drive off peak from work, I could nip over during lunch and come back.
Need to catch my breath a little and eat something… then time for more ferocious packing and loading shit into my car.
Professional movers are the BEST…I never used them until I had to move at start of lockdown and it was the only choice and now I will scrimp and save and spend that money every time. I think they also love it when they only have a small move and you have taken the time to organise a bit.
You are nearly there!!!
Yep, I could’ve had a heart attack from the stress when moving in, watching my friends try to lug this heavy-arse entertainment unit up 2 flights of stairs. Nearly slipped out of their hands, would’ve smashed their foot big time…
This is my first time using pros, absolutely using them for the move out. Worth every cent. Some things are 100% worth paying for. Saves time, stress, damage, and the likelihood of injury!!
ffs, I thought out how I would do some of my task/life admin organising/planning and now my brain is stuck.
Righty ho. I’ve done the washing, vacuumed, done a thorough clean of the plate rack, been to the food market, cut up strawberries for the freezer and gone to the post office to deposit some cash. It might just be time to make a start on that assignment now…
Nice work.
I have cleaned the shower. Aiming to vacuum and put and load in, if I don’t lose my mind to the building works in the meantime.
I had a dream I failed a uni assignment. First one since I started this degree.
So it has begun…the anxiety, the self doubts, the…troubles.
I had a dream I didn’t even do my assignment or read most of the subject material - oh wait, that’s real. Should get back to that…
You sound super organised and motivated. I believe in you!
(Don’t be me. I’ve done enough of that for all of us.)
Thank you.
I finished my first assignment for this teaching period yesterday. It’s not due until Dec 2. I leave nothing to the last minute, but the way things are structured they don’t cover everything until the week before it’s due - which sucks. But I average around 75% so far so I am doing ok with this method.
75% sounds great! Maybe with that knowledge just make sure you leave a little room to strengthen where you’ve maybe not gained marks in the rubric.
You have so got this!
Assignments are scary. You’ve got this, Dan!! Props to you for doing a degree. Uni is tough, but you are tougher :)
Thank you.
i think my upbringing is messing me up atm.
Old man was/is a sub specialist looking after acute disease / end of life stuff. Emotion is completely out the window when it comes to care (shit needs to get done with a clear mind). I was on the phone from about 13yo speaking to these patients when he wasn’t home (which was a lot) and all I could do was listen to that fear. They just wanted someone to hear them (emotionally). Used to go on rounds with him and he has a very good bed side manner, but once out of the room back into get shit done mode.
Seeing mum in her chair just staring at the ground depressed is heartbreaking. Asking me to read texts from buds is heartbreaking. Her telling me the old man hasn’t said a nice word since (he’s in doc mode) is rough. I’m sort of caught between being someone she can speak to with emotion, but then I have to switch my own on and off depending on what needs to happen. When you leave the room it’s a tidal wave of the realisation of a new reality for her.
All my discussions with the old man are clinical (and it needs to be), but I can see a few cracks in his demeanour which is… unusual and… heartbreaking (and telling).
I don’t really have hope that her vision will recover beyond where it is now. But flipping emotion on and off like this is something I’ve never done.
I’m so sorry. Aged, end of life or disability care can be brutal especially when it’s your mum. Definitely get some carers in to help share the load
gees, so many hugs.
You shouldn’t be doing this and in the past your dad shouldn’t have asked you to do that.
I suggest getting a nurse or aid in to do a lot of that. Contact the hospital about organising one.
and hugs again.
Mate, that’s definitely a lot to wear on your own. It’s a very delicate situation to navigate. I have absolutely nothing useful to add except that you’re an incredibly awesome human and as everyone else has said do talk to others about it (vent here, to a friend, a shrink…) You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. I hope this difficult time will eventually (even if painfully at first) bring forward some vulnerability and openness from all parties. Big hugs 🫂
Easier said than done, but you need to allow yourself the space to just be outside this dynamic. This is new territory for everyone and even for those that work in field. We can think or imagine how we’re going to respond or handle something like this, but the truth is we never know until we are in the moment.
I hope that you have people close where you can express this. It might also not be what your father wants to hear right now, but it sounds like your mother needs him as a husband and not a doctor right now. The sooner he hears that, the better. She’s probably scared and she needs to feel like she is more than someone who needs to be treated. You know, patient centered care and being holistic and all that…
Sending you the biggest hugs. Please talk to friends/loved ones/or other if you can.
He’s probably in clinical mode because he’s overwhelmed and feels he might not cope or be able to help otherwise
That’s very likely. It’s common to retreat or default to (we all do it), but it needs to be pointed out to him.
Yeah. Some of us are like that more than others because that’s where our strengths are, or if we break down then what help can we offer.
Hopefully he’s able to handle the emotional side
Heart goes out to you Racer. Navigating this will be a challenge for anyone. We are here for support and venting. There is still a chance that your mum will recover more than present situation too. Sending healing vibes.
You’ll need to be there for your dad too - sounds like he might need someone to model how to be human/emotional too. Which is lot to ask but there’s not a chance in hell that he’ll seek outside professional advice methinks.So many hugs. Healing is hard, and it takes a lot of time.
I always wanted a turkey baster and thanks to Aldi I now have one.
Ps. When I typed in baster it automatically typed in bastard.
I wonder if its the fact that turkeys arnt that common a meal in aus, who more about who I am as a person that my mind goes immediately to uses for a turkey baster.
Suppose it could be all the exposure to IVF and fertility stuff too.
I also think of the alternative uses 1st when someone says turkey baster… probably from knowing lots of people with fertility issues or single people wanting babies
😂
It will definitely be used to skim fat and oil from my stews.
Turkey is honestly a great white meat.
So it’s no secret here that I’m on thin ice at work and work is on thin ice with me. I think that ice is going to crack on both sides when I ask for an extra week off after the Christmas break.
they cant fire you for that. And surely they’d want you to be using leave rather than have to pay you out?
I’ll be outta annual leave, lol. It’s more if they deny me it, I’ll say byeeee!
Felicia!
ABC news has a story that Alan Jones has been arrested on indecent assault charges spanning 20 years. About time.
I’m going to try to squeeze one more day of leave from work. Considering I’m not taking a break over Xmas, I feel like 4 days of leave isn’t a huge deal.
Let’s see what happens lol
strange nightmares, first I was looking for a new place to live but the place was strange and had public toilets
second someone went out and got some recreational drugs to use. I cried.
I had one last week where me and a mate were sitting in a waiting room outside an orgy waiting for it to finish for some reason.
in verity that is a strange dream
Weirdly comforting I am not the only one.
Beep Beep 🚚
🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍈🫐🍓🍇🍉🍌🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥦🥑🫛🍆🍅🥝🥬🥒🌽🥕🥐🍠🫚🥔🧅🥯🍞🥖🥨🧀🧇🥞🧈🍳🥚🥓🥩🍗🍖🫓🍕🍟🍔🌭🥙🧆🌮🌯🥗🍲🍜🍝🥘🍛🍣🍱🥟🦪🍥🍘🍚🍙🐠🍤🪼🦀🐙 🍗🥮🍢🍡🍧🍰🧁🥧🍦🍨🎂🍮🍭🍬🍫🥜🌰🍪🍿🍯🥛☕️🍵🍺🍶🥤🧋🧃🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹🧉🔋Ooh looks like I’m in time for some Goose! I’ll take it Peking duck style please
🍯
🥒
🌶️
🪿
🫓
Yesterday my dad called me a loser because I am underemployed right now. I am looking for another job that fits with the uni break, asking managers for more shifts, trying to better myself by actually having hobbies for once in my life and doing things with friends. Yeah, I still don’t wake up super early, and yeah, I’m not happy with my life either, but I feel like I’m getting somewhere, after years of fighting battles in my mind and making shitty decisions.
Then you’ve got my twin sister who has had a full-time job even when she was studying, has a mortgage and her life is work, and she can get through each day without having to reassure herself that she’s going to be fine. Most people my age aren’t lucky enough to be in this position, but somehow this is the standard I’m expected to uphold. No one says it, but just by the way people in my life baby me around, I can tell that that’s the way they want me to be.
/ end vent with lots of cognitive distortions
Has… he seen the job market? A very hurtful and clueless thing for him to say. Very boomer.
And yes mental health struggles make life a lot harder. Not everyone can be a machine. Those expectations are pretty high, I’d even say unrealistic, and I think your sister might even secretly be feeling the high pressure job. If not now then at some point. If anything else happens to add a strain to life that pace might not be sustainable.
Comparing you to a sibling is also not appropriate to do.
Edit: In a small way I was the tough disciplined organised one that others got compared to… because I was so desperately holding it together under pressure. Burned out hard. They’re doing well now and me not so much.
Comparison hurts both sides
Let me add to the pile of outrage at your dad for saying such a horribly hurtful and useless comment.
I want to write a whole essay to you because I have a similar family dynamic (very accomplished eldest bro who seems to be doing fine with a very fast paced life) - and I certainly didn’t get taken seriously for much of my early adulthood
I should go pack though. But all I can say is… it does get better, with age and experience their opinions matter less, and life becomes more about keeping yourself afoat the way that works best for you.
For comparison, said wildly successful older bro had massive setback later in life that’s been going on for years now. And he is far worse equipped to handle it mentally and emotionally because his life has always been superlative and successful. He had never really experienced failure before. It’s a huge learning curve later on in life. So take that for what it’s worth…
I’m sorry you had to go through that.
I know it’s difficult to dismiss a parents opinion, but I would highly recommend it in this case.
It sounds like he has no understanding of the way the world works at the moment. I hear this a lot from people. That their parents are completely disconnected from the realities of life these days.
You’re not a loser and I hope you know that ❤️
Thank you! I will (try to) dismiss it.
I agree, he doesn’t understand the way the world works at the moment.
As a parent sometimes we say things out of frustration. It doesn’t make it right though. Big hugs for you because you are going forward and that’s the main thing. 💛
Thank you 🫂
Yesterday my dad called me a loser because I am underemployed right now. what a prick. You didnt need to say or justify anything beyond that. Hes a prick. Nothing more to say and nothing else matters beyond that. You dont speak to your kids like that. EVER. Even if you aint a kid any more.
He did apologise, saying he believes in me and that he was just trying to push me, but that’s definitely a mean thing to call someone.
He may be sincere in his apology, but I’m so sorry you experienced that from your father. The things our parents say tend to stick around a while in our heads (my egg donor said “you’re just like your father!” And slapped me when I replied “good!” lol, I’ll never forget), but know that YOU ARE NOT A LOSER!!! no one here would ever say or think that about you, because it’s untrue! You are nowhere near to being a loser and your dad should spend the rest of his life making it up to you imo.
We love you!
💜💜
It’s the sort of comment that might have motivated him as a young man, and may be motivational for your twin, but definitely is not effective as a motivator for you. And as your parent he should have seen that a lot earlier.
Yes, he should know by now I’m sensitive!
That’s so shit and so fucked up. I’m glad he apologised, but it’s not fair that he did that in first place. Comparison is the thief of joy, you’re doing YOU and that’s all that matters. You are loved!
Thank you, that is very true :) I will keep doing me and trust that things will click into place.
wtf, i wouldn’t say that to a friend let alone a daughter
you know you’re right , you know they were wrong
but it hurts so bad, hurts because why would they even say that, they are supposed to be kind and supportive, and you know they know how to be supportive because they are to other people
so many many hugs
I know it hurts, I know that having the kindness and support of those we love makes us feel like we can conquer the world but there are times we need to be our own best friend
you have us as your friend and you have yourself, you’re a really good friend
me, my family of origin want me to be loser, they would get angry when I has success of any kind, I lost them instead
🫂💜
Jesus Christ, I’m sorry but a parent should not be calling their child that.
That’s just not right!
People go through different journeys through life to get to where they want, there’s no playbook by any means.
Exactly!
I hope you’re ok coming from this, it did make me pretty angry reading about it, that’s not the way to encourage someone.
Used airtasker for the first time today. Damn this is useful and convenient! Listed The Couch of Doom to be removed for a pretty reasonable price and 4 offers within 45 minutes. Now booked in to be taken tonight by someone who seems really lovely and will actually use it too and not just take it to the tip. Sure the connection fee is pricey but the stress relief is monumental…
I’ve put together everything that the movers need to take away now - just need to give the fridge and tv console a wipe down. Let’s hope to fuck that they can actually carry everything up to the new place with its narrow staircase, I will be fucked if they can’t fit it in (I guess airtasker to the rescue again to take stuff off the footpath asap 😂)
Airtasker can be great like that - I did the same thing to get rid of a wine fridge that Marketplace buyers kept not showing up for. I’ve had a bit of weeding and gutter cleaning done via Airtasker too.
Narrow staircases can be an issue, but movers can be pretty clever with stuff like that. I used to live in a flat above a shop which had an external spiral staircase up to a narrow landing to the door, the movers managed to get a neighbour’s double bed up the side of the shop below and lift it over the landing from the shop roof.