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This is really great to read @SaltwaterSoul 😊

I’m really glad to hear it went well overall and that you’re feeling positive about going back next week 💛

@FearofUnknown

Hey, how are you going?

Just replying to your post about work feeling a bit repetitive. From my own past experiences, I’ve gone through phases where work can feel a bit under-stimulating, especially once you’ve gotten good at it and know how to do everything. It does sound like you are doing a lot of things right though, being efficient, proactive, and still trying to stay engaged. Those are really valuable skills.

Maybe it could help to think about small ways to change things up day to day, or new ways of approaching tasks (depending on what your role is). Another option could be having a chat with a manager or team leader about how you’re feeling confident in your current tasks and wondering if there are opportunities to expand your skills or take on something new even if it's just something small.

In my opinion, staying curious and wanting to grow in your role is a positive thing.🙂

@SaltwaterSoul

Yay go you!!!!
Sounds very positive.

Great that they are being so supportive

@Nala2022 @Oaktree

Thank you! Sorry I haven't replied sooner, I haven't been on here for a while, and it looks like the website has been updated. It seems a bit different!

Things have been going well so far. I'm actually enjoying it, but I'm finding it hard to switch off when I get home. I keep thinking about work when I am home, and very often I think of things I need to do when I'm trying to sleep, so my sleep has been a bit of a struggle lately. I have showed up to work quite tired this week, so I'm hoping I can find a better balance and learn how to disconnect more outside of work. Today I have been repotting a plant, sitting out in the sun, watched some tv etc so that's at least something. :)

@AuntGlow @Ruby26 @FearofUnknown @tyme

@SaltwaterSoul Have you quit your Casual job yet? How are you juggling it with your Part-Time role?

And yes, sometimes I have trouble switching off from work too and my sleep will be affected. Keep distracted with activities like what you've been doing. The gardening is a good start!

For me, I've been brain dumping by trying some short Art activities as I will be starting Art Therapy next Saturday. It's been taking my mind off work but I have been re-exposed to some Trauma from the past so I've also booked an appointment with a Psychologist to solve that problem. It will be my real, first time speaking to a Psychologist! I'm quite nervous. I've only seen a Psychotherapist twice and a Counsellor once and they were both not a good fit for me. I'm hoping to work a bit more "medically" with a General Psychologist and reduce some of my pathological symptoms.

Also, my Boss has given me 3 weeks off (this week is the third) because work is "too quiet". I do want to be back at work and I have messaged him about it so hopefully next Monday will resume as normal. I'm very grateful for the time off though! I've spent it watching the FIFA World Cup and even took my Mum out to lunch. Now I'm making bookings for my Mental Health. Way to go, Boss!

So, I haven't really had a proper job in a really long time. Recovery has been a slow process for me, especially since I had to recover from a spinal injury due to a suicide attempt some years ago. Recently I applied for a couple of jobs, one of them being a peer support role. Much to my surprise I got an interview. The interview went ok from my perspective, I don't feel like I did amazing but the interviewers were warm and that helped a lot. Much to my even greater surprise, they have asked for my references. This got me a bit excited, like maybe I have a shot...do I dare to dream? Or do I suppress my enthusiasm due to the very real possibility that I don't get this job? I guess either way I got some good experience for interviewing.

But do I really want the job: hell yeah! Crossing all my fingers...and toes, lol.

@FearofUnknown 

That sounds great with the art therapy. Yesterday I got my watercolours out and did a painting as a way to switch off and disconnect from work, which was really nice.

I'm sorry you've had to experience trauma. Have you been able to see the psychologist yet? I've been in therapy for about a year now with my psychologist. For me, it's honestly been life-changing. I've learnt so much about myself, and it's helped me understand why I react the way I do. I really hope you find someone who's a good fit for you. It sounds like you had a lovely time out with your mum too. Way to go, boss! 😊

Thanks for asking about me. I haven't quit my casual job, I have basically had no shifts for more than 3 weeks, I recently told the manager though that I got a permanent part-time position because I needed more consistent hours, and that my avaliability has changed. I have a shift this afternoon, and have been rostered on for one shift for the next two weeks this month. That's it but I feel more at peace with this situation now because I don't have to rely on that job anymore. At first, I felt quite angry, as I put a lot of effort into the recruiment and onboarding process, only to end up feeling overlooked. I don't think my onboarding was handled particularly well, but I have let it go mentally. Now I see it differently. If I get a shift, that's great, it's extra money. If I don't, I know I'll be ok now.

Hi @Ainjoule

Congratulations on making it this far! I'm so excited for you.

I would say that if they’ve asked for your references, there’s a good chance you’re high up on their list of candidates they’re interested in hiring. A new way of thinking that I’ve been practising is, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. If it doesn’t happen, then either the timing isn’t right, or a better opportunity will come along.

I always thought that idea was just a saying, but looking at my own situation, it really does seem to work that way. I applied for so many jobs, and one of the jobs I got ended up being nothing like what I expected. I felt really disappointed and worried, thinking, what am I going to do now? I felt like I had failed again, taken the wrong turn again. Then, completely out of the blue, I was offered a paid permanent part-time role at the place where I had been volunteering for about 1.5 years, and now I actually look forward to going to work. Good luck and let us know how it went!

Hey @SaltwaterSoul , thanks so much. It is looking promising at this stage. I just spoke to them, they haven't made a decision yet but they thought I would hear back early next week. I wrote them an email because I got accepted into Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work course, and they said in the interview that they might be able to be flexible with days so I wanted to ask them whether it would be possible to do the course (which would in turn would help the role), but I made sure to emphasise that the job would be my highest priority. They were quite positive about the situation, so that's good. As you eloquently said if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I have applied for peer work jobs before, twice before I made it to interview. But the interviews were some shade of disaster before. One part of it was that I needed to learn interview practise, but also I think in hindsight they weren't the correct role for me. I feel really good about this one, the interviewing staff were awesome.

That is so awesome that they gave you a role from volunteering! They must have loved what you had to offer. Go you! If I don't get the role I will ask them if I can do I'll ask them if they take volunteers to do work placement for the course I'm starting. You never know.

@Ainjoule Hello! Have you heard anything back yet? Volunteering is definitely a great way to get your foot in the door. I think recruitment teams really value it because it shows you're genuinely passionate about the work. It demonstrates that you weren't just there for a paycheck, you were interested in contributing and gaining experience.

In my situation, I volunteered for about three hours a week. It aligned with my interests, but it also helped me build my confidence socially. It gave me a reason to get out of the house, step outside my comfort zone, and connect with other people. I was very afraid of doing anything like this before I started therapy.