I'm starting my first job on Thursday (training on Tuesday) and I'm super nervous! I'm really shy and awkward and suck and socializing with people. I have no idea how I'm going to handle this. I'm scared of having a panic or anxiety attack at work. I suppose it'll get easier as time goes by but right now I'm just scared of messing up. I haven't been doing so well mentally lately and this is just stressing me out so much. But I need the money. :(
Hello! Thank you for sending this in, and congratulations on the new job role.
Starting a new job can make us feel all sorts of emotions. Feeling nervous or anxious is totally okay, and I hope I can give you some tips and advice on how to cope while at work.
It is always best to try and have a relaxing day before your first day. A good night’s sleep, a clear mind and ready to learn. One way to ease the worry can be to write down all of your concerns the night before. Dedicate 30 minutes or an hour to this, and let all of your worries out on this list. Once you feel you have written it all down, put it away (perhaps even in another room) and focus on the rest of your day or getting ready to sleep. You can look back at these worries after the first day or week, and see what worried you and how they went.
Asking questions is okay. In any situation, there is no silly question. If you want to ask a question, it means you would like clarity in some kind of way and that is okay. Your colleagues will understand that you will have questions, and I’m sure they will be more than happy to answer them - especially during training. Asking questions shows you are willing to learn and is generally a positive way to learn and build relationships with your colleagues. They may be able to share stories on how to remember something or share mistakes and solutions which they encountered. Asking questions is a great thing to do, and it is okay to ask them.
If you are unsure, you can ask. Even if they have told you already, it’s okay to ask again. It can act as a conversation starter and open up more starters for the future without thinking into it.
When I started university, they constantly reminded us that it is okay to make mistakes. As humans, we learn from our mistakes. We remember situations and how we may or may not have handled them correctly. We remember this for the future and are able to improve our knowledge. If you make a mistake, it is okay. It does not mean you cannot do something or did it wrong. It means you will remember next time, and you are learning. Everyone makes mistakes, whether they are new to the job or have been working there for 15 years. It is okay to make mistakes.
If you doubt yourself before or during your work hours, remember that you were chosen for a reason. They saw the potential and a good worker. They believe in you, and understand that you will be learning. Remind yourself that you are new, and you can do this. If you need to, you could set reminders on your phone to tell you this or write it on a piece of paper in your pocket.
Our MHA blog has a page on calming ourselves during anxious moments or panic attacks. I encourage you to check this out (I will link you below) and perhaps work some of these into your day. Whether you need to use them or not, I think it is a beneficial thing to have. There are some really easy techniques which you can definitely use at work, and help to keep yourself from feeling horrible about work. Work is a great thing, it is just believing in ourselves and our choices at work which we often struggle with. That is okay, and we can learn ourselves how to cope and improve our mental health.
Calming Anxiety and Panic
If you need to take a moment to yourself at work, it is okay. Find somewhere quiet or ask if you can quickly pop into the bathroom just to take a moment to breathe. Here, you could perhaps use one of our techniques on our page.
For me, I find a job a positive thing for myself. It keeps me busy and gives me a purpose which I need. One thing which I often forget is that although I love my job, I can switch it off once I am home. I am allowed to have a chilled day and not think or worry about something I did at work. I am lucky enough have a good relationship with my colleagues, and I believe you will be able to do so as well. This way, we can discuss any issues together and learn from each other.
I really hope your training and rest of the job go smoothly, and that you are able to feel comfortable to work there. A new job is a scary thing but can be so exciting too. We have to believe in ourselves and remind ourselves it’s okay to struggle or ask questions. We are human, and if someone judges us or responds negatively, we have to be strong enough to brush it off. Unfortunately, that is sometimes the case. But we are strong enough, and we can show them that we were hired for a reason.
I wish you all the luck, and I am really excited for you. I hope you are too.
Rosie
