Ahhh, The Job Search...

[GettingBetter]

Hello!

I have been lurking for a while, but this is my first post. I am excited to find people who understand! My particular condition is C-PTSD from being raised by 2 narcissists, accompanied with an autoimmune condition.

Currently, I have a full-time temp job, but am in a job search- I just graduated from university. It's more difficult than I thought. Working full time exhausts me and I've noticed a major symptom is cognitive difficulties. To put it in perspective: my freshman year of college, I could write 10 page research papers in one night (and get an A), but by senior year I could barely string 2 sentences together. I haven't been able to read in months. At my current job, I have to do short writing "assignments" and they are literally Pulling. Teeth. It took me 3 days to compose 500 words (poorly). Just today, my supervisor confronted me because my boss complained that I wasn't getting work done and that what I turned in was "unacceptable." It also hurts to have lost my cognitive abilities because I was an overachieving honors students, with big dreams. The other day someone told me that I "seem like the type of person who would have several PhDs" :-( It was a dream at one time, but not anymore...

I am just so emotionally exhausted that I can't even think of using my brain. I just shut down when I try to read or write. Ironically, the trauma is the only thing I can write about. There were 2 interviews last week, but both were disasters. I need something hands-on, low-stress, obviously nothing with booming noise, but I also need to pay rent and bills. This is what I need right now to heal mentally and physically. I plan on going to culinary school next year, but I need to save up first.

Just wondering what you guys do for work? Have any advice on what I could be looking for? Note: I am female

 

[anonymous]

Hello Getting Better.
I think I know how you feel! I've worked successfully for many years managing my PTSD and anxiety. Unfortunately, I have not been able to work for some time now. I am just being to think about other options. I often think that hands on, low stress would be beneficial. I'm not sure what options are out there, but I hope we all find the thing that brings us joy and makes us feel as if we are contributing.
I will say that you seem very articulate. while that writing job may not be for you, there still may be ways for you to use that down the road. Don't give up.
Culinary school sounds wonderful.
I'd love to see a whole forum here on job options. You raise a good subject.

 

[Gaining-clarity]

I have not been working for about 6 months now because I finally have the opportunity not to. The work I did before that was based on the same criteria you've listed... low stress, not a lot of noise, etc.

The job I found that worked really well, and paid quite well too was to work in the kitchen at a seniors facility. In Canada these jobs pay very well, considering the work and the low level of responsibility. Where I live this kind of job pays around $16 -$17/ hour.

What I liked about it was that it was a very busy job, but not a mentally busy job. I had tasks to do and I just did them. Interspersed was a little social interaction with my co workers and with the seniors, but mostly I got to keep to myself and just be busy.

The tasks were simple, not complicated, and were good exercise.

There were times when I prepared food, which was fun, but without the responsibility attached with being the head cook.

I really liked it and it was low pressure, but busy. I got to work in the kitchen, which I really like, have a title that was okay, like "cooks assistant" or "part time cook", yet I didn't have the stress of working in the loud and pressure filled environment of a restaurant kitchen.

I didn't have to be a "go getter", just a hard worker.