Living life like a side effect.

Hi @Boho89 welcome to the forums and thanks for posting. Sorry to hear about the struggles you've had especially in the past year.

Every Friday between 10am-4pm @Renstar hosts our weekly 'Career Chat', which you can find in the Special Events section of the Forum. Each week Renstar hosts a discussion about a work or career related topic that is applicable to people with mental health challenges. The topics are closed for comments after 4pm on Fridays, but even so you might get something out of having a read through the discussions. Here are a few suggestions you might find helpful:

Managing Anxiety at Work

Managing anxiety before a job interview

When Mental Health Impacts your Work

Ways to maintain confidence and self esteem whilst job hunting

In terms of job ideas that are anxiety friendly, I guess that depends a bit on what triggers your anxiety? As this can be different for different people. For example, some people get very anxious answering the phone, while others prefer talking on the phone to face-to-face interactions. Some people like sitting at a desk with minimal social interaction, while for others this can be very stressful and they prefer to be on their feet and talking to people. Can I ask - What type of job do you think triggers your anxiety?

One way to ease your way back into work is to begin by volunteering somewhere. For me, I found volunteering for a charity organisation to be a great experience, and very enriching both personally and professionally. Charity organisations are usually so low on funding and desperate for help, they are grateful to have to have you, even if you don't do things perfecty the way a paid trained professional might be expected to. They are also pretty flexible with time, so you might start with one afternoon a week and work your way up from there. For me, volunteering for a mental health charity did nothing but boost my confidence. Plus if you have a pre-existing mental health condition, they're very understanding and accommodating about that. It's a great way to meet people and make new friends too, which is a bonus.

Can I ask what field you used to work in? Do you want to continue in that field, or try something differnet?

Hi @Boho89

Just wondering how things are going since you last posted.

You mentioned that you’re looking for coping skills. Are there any strategies that you’ve tried in the past that have or haven’t been successful?

I’m also wondering if you have any professional support right now, such as a psychologist that you’re working with?

I hope things are going ok.

I've been there and can empathise with your position. I think you might be the best person to answer the question about jobs that are anxiety friendly. Look at what you do to relax and wind down. What soothes you and what are you passionate about? I know that it can be hard to earn a living from likes and hobbies but you might find something if you give yourself space to think, the answer lies within.

Coping skills I would suggest are good diet, exercise, meditation, mindfullness and give yourself a break when you can. Do something you enjoy or at least find relaxing. Do you see a psychologist?

Do you take medication? Could be worth a go if you're not already taking something.