sprout50

After being a stay at home mom for many years, I started working again a few days ago. I got a part time job in retail, which I have never done before. They threw me right in working with the mob of last minute Christmas shoppers when I really have no experience. Everyone was saying it's good practice. Yikes!

My anxiety level is through the roof. The old me would have come home from work and drank. But that is not going to happen so the new me is struggling with the panic attacks. My boss said I did a good job and was suprised that for someone new, I had no voids and high stats on the register. I averaged one to two customer check outs per minute so I am fast. But I still have this anxiety that I am going to totally screw up. I guess learning something new at the busiest time of the year is really going to test me.

Soberwolf

Exellent news on the workfrint sprout

Stay close to SR if you feel like this but also know you can do this sprout

sprout50

Thanks Wolf. I know I am not going to drink. Putting down the bottle was phase one. Dealing with my anxiety level sober is my phase two. It's not just about not drinking. It's learning to live sober.

Thank you so much for the support. i need all I can get right now.

PurpleKnight

There's always going to be anxiety with new things, but don't beat yourself up, even mistakes are a great way of learning things, no one is perfect.

Keep pushing through Sprout!!

JT0626

Congrats on the job, Sprout!! You know what is so wonderful about not drinking & being sober? You have the freedom to choose how you want to feel & how you are going to process everything. Your first day at work was a success, albeit a bit stressful but successful in the end. Don't focus on being perfect, no one is perfect. I mean, what's the worst that can happen at work? Void a transaction & start over? You're sober, you're already a success!

SoberLeigh

Congratulations on the new job, Sprout. The job anxiety should ease as the peak retail season comes to an end.

Be proud that you are doing so well amidst all the retail and seasonal hype!

Gonnachange

Congratulations on the new job and for a successful day one there.

Dee74

This is a pretty mad time of year Sprout - if you can handle this you can handle anything.

Do you have any anti anxiety techniques that you use - relaxation or breathing exercises, for example?

D

JanieJ

Sounds like you're doing a grand job, Sprout

melki

You've got this, hon! Keep smiling, keep breathing, and keep it in perspective. It's just a job and you're doing it very well. Do something nice and relaxing for yourself at the end of the day.

ubntubnt

Honestly it sounds to me like you are doing an awesome job! Well done!

sprout50

Thanks everyone! Worked yesterday. The place was a madhouse but it went really well. I talked with some of the employees who have been there for a while and they told me to relax, it takes time and they were all very helpful.

I tend to be a perfectionist and worry a lot about nothing. As for techniques to reduce my anxiety, I do breathing exercises, I ask my self what is the worst that can happen-it usually isn't anything major and I am learning to let go of things beyond my control.

I work again this morning and am guessing it will be crazy busy. Thanks for all the support folks! It really does help.

Nonsensical

A must-read for all newcomers.