How To Select A Job I Can Deal With, I Have A Choice

[cupfish]

In about a year I am relocating out of state. The move requires I get a mortgage on my new home, which means an employment track record, so I am transitioning my career right now, well in advance of the move. I can't keep my current job and move, but I can consult for them. The level of BS from this consulting work would be 5 out of 10, but it's the devil I know, wonderful people. Hourly consulting wage will be lower than usual, they are a nonprofit. I have a second consulting option that pays double my current pay, has less complexity but is in a very competitive business. This means new stresses, but nothing absurd. When I move I want a fresh start. This is my opportunity to craft a work life for the RIGHT reasons, not because I am constantly running to overachieve and overcompensate for childhood neglect. I want to make the right choice, not talk myself into a job construct that will again be too much, really, for my long-term mental health. Working for both firms is an option, but is that dividing my head and too much? So here is where I need your help:

What do you all see as necessary job components to support your mental health? What makes a job successful for a lifelong PTSD patient?

Thx it's so nice to communicate with people like me!

 

[SeaQuel]

I think it's really great that you are giving this some careful consideration. I wish you much luck!

For me, some of the necessary components are:
- Flexible work hours to allow for sleepless nights/symptomatic days
- Task oriented vs. deadline driven
- Low to moderate level stress (all jobs have some level of stress but some inherently have more than others)
- Conducive work environment (noise, position of office/desk)

I haven't identified what this is for me yet, but those are some of the things I'm looking for to help me better succeed.

 

[cupfish]

Boy is this helpful. What kind of boss or management works well?

 

[Suzetig]

I'm doing a bit of this for myself just now, I came out of an awful work situation to one which is much much easier, but less stretching. I'm thinking for me it would be a combination of part time employment that is enough to cover bills with space for be to be self employed the rest of the time.

I need a challenge, so something stretching would be good, I don't mind demanding people as long as they aren't aggressive. I also need a lot of flexibility to give space for therapy/health appointments and to accommodate the times when I'm struggling and need to be by myself. I also need a variety of tasks to keep my short attention span occupied.

 

[cupfish]

It's really important to have the option to back away when we go through bad spells and I have yet to actually confess this to an employer.