Struggles with mental health

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@Lowrida29 wrote:

Also, how can I base my identity around me as a person, not me the jobseeking loner, as I am much more than a tech professional?

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ooo that's a really good question @Lowrida29, and it's something i've been working on for a while too. our identity isn't simply defined by our job or achievements. i was brought up in a household that always prioritise academic achievements, and whenever i felt my academics/career was hitting a bump, i felt like a failure. but there's more to us than this.

you've played various roles: a son, a brother, a friend, an employee, a student, a forums community member, a roommate, a stranger, etc. being a tech professional might be the career you want but it's not who you are. you're a combination of things!

when i was trying to figure out my identity, i asked myself: what do i enjoy doing and why? what brings me comfort? what are qualities i like about myself? what/who makes me happy and why? what do i hate/dislike? what makes me feel connected?

when i first tried to answer those questions, i didn't have much to say about myself. i really struggled to talk positively about myself and there wasn't much that made me happy. but it was good writing it down, because it made me realise i might need to try some new things and push my comfort zone. you are not a 'jobseeking loner' - from my interactions with you, i can already tell that you're hardworking, caring, resilient and dedicated. these qualities might've been strengthened by your career journey, but they're not defined by it. i saw these qualities in you when you were finishing up the previous role, and even now as a 'jobseeker' i see the same qualities because that's apart of who you are.

also quick questions - have you checked out SANE's Guided Recovery and RecoveryClub program?

@rav3n , I have just completed the guided recovery program. However, I would like to try out te recovery club program at a later time.

Even though I have had some positives throughout my life and my career, the inward thinking is something I can improve. As someone that has been sucked into the "grass is greener on the other side" line of reasoning, I would like to be open to a move to my home country or another country, but the noise on social media platforms surrounding the standards of living is making me more wary.

It doesn't help I have spent an insignificant amount of my life in my home country, and in retrospect, it is a barrier to improving my fluency in my mother tongue.

Hey @Lowrida29 ,

I hear your concerns, but I'm also mindful that it's important to remember that we are not all the same. You have your own skills and talents which others would love to have. Sometimes, we need each other to point out or help us notice what we are good at.

Imagine a world full of outgoing people! Arghhhhh! Or imagine a world full of introverts!

Capitalise on the skillls and talents you have - this will help you thrive!

I don't know much about the tech world, except that the cybersecurity area is massive at the moment.

Do you have any plans to help you move forward in finding something that works for you?

I hope you find what works for you - for your strengths, personality, preferences and all.

I've worked with many many people in the past, and there are some very outgoing people. However, when they interview, I can 'feel' they may not fit into the culture of the workplace - this is big.

And sometimes, a person can be over qualified for a role.

So really, it depends on what the individual organisation is looking for.

I spoke to someone only today and they were sharing that they applied for a role in an organisation 5 times... and eventually got a role a few years later. So persistance pays off? @Lowrida29

I think I always keep workplace culture in mind so that if I get vetted out from a workplace in the interview phase, I'm actuaully okay with it because it tells me it's not what they are looking for @Lowrida29

I really hope things work out for you!

How are you going? @Lowrida29