I Need Some Suggestions

[EvenStrongerNow]

So, my plan is to find a part-time, low stress job. I am enrolled in school to start February 10th (3 classes). Any suggestions?

Right now, I have my classes scheduled for at night, but I can switch them around, depending on what I apply for in regards to a job.

I have had 2 jobs in the past 4 years. One at a hair salon as an assistant. The other, at an office as an administrative assistant. I have a work history, but most of it is 2005 and earlier because I was a fashion model from 2006-2011, on and off.

My thoughts currently are maybe a coffee shop? Or maybe I could get on a cleaning crew for offices or houses? I used to love being around bunches of people. Now, after my experience, I am an introvert, but maybe I always was and extraversion was just a stress response. I can handle being around groups of people if they have a calm demeanor.

I do experience a lot of anxiety and somatic symptoms when I'm under a lot of stress/around a lot of people.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Well, I just found a driver messenger service position. I applied. Hopefully I get it because it sounds perfect for me lol

Update: Ha, I also just found a flower delivery driver job. Nice! :D

 

[miki1981]

Those both sound nice. The coffee shop maybe, unless your talking about some place busy, prob not a good idea then. House cleaning is a great go to job when in school. Flexible. Just stay away from shady families or being alone in the house with anyone for too long. I liked being a Nurse aide and a nanny but cleaning can be therapeutic and can pay more :) Good luck in school!

 

[Deleted member 1860]

If it's a busy coffee shop, it may be a little stressful during the rush. Tired cranky people aren't the easiest to deal with when they're waiting on their coffee----spoken as someone who used to work in a coffee shop.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

OK. So, I got a call back from the flower delivery position. It was a woman asking if I could come in tomorrow at 1pm for an orientation and to fill out paperwork so I'm assuming there won't be much of an interview. Maybe it will be an easy hire.

I want to call her back and say yes, I'm available, but I have so much anxiety about it. Here is why:

1. Last night, when my husband was going through a (work crisis), I mentioned finding the delivery jobs to him. He rattled off his own anxiety about it: me being in lots of traffic, putting a lot of miles on our new car, making the insurance go up, etc etc etc)

Well, I just sat there and he apologized and said, "Babe, remember when you explained the PTSD cup to me?" I said yah....he replied, "Well, that's kind of what I'm going through right now. I'm freaking out about work right now and you're telling me about the kitty you saved today, the jobs you've applied to and etc. Well, I just feel like my cup is over flowing at the moment."

I understood immediately because I know what it was like and he was so loving about it just like always. But somehow today, I don't know if he was making reference to the PTSD cup to say that the things I was telling him about were all good stress?

"needing his permission to do things" is a part of my childhood trauma. I'm aware of it and he doesn't put that on me, but I still have trouble with it. I want to do this flower delivery job because I think it would be perfect for PTSD and the fact that I will be going to school at night 3 days a week (simple classes). And it pays well per hour, really well. Also, I have a navigation system that rocks which gives me detours when there is traffic as well as I really enjoy driving for some unknown reason. I don't get impatient in city traffic. It doesn't frustrate me at all. It feels like an adventure that I get to be in control of at all times so I feel safe driving.

I am feeling anxiety about what he said: the insurance going up, putting a lot of miles on the car, etc. How much of that is rational?

I need help sorting through this so I can call her back.

 

[billie]

Okay so I recently scored an inturnship. My anxiety was through the roof. I decided then I will not get it and I will use the experience to challenge myself to talk to someone (the director). This method worked for me as I went in with nothing to lose and I got an offer before I left. Hope that helps x

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Thanks billie, it does. I did decide to take the challenge lol

I went ahead and called my insurance company to check how much my insurance would go up for commercial use. It was quite a lot.

I called the lady at the flower company back, but no answering machine picked up after many rings.

I decided to email her and ask how many hours per week is available for the position, whether or not they provide a company vehicle for their drivers (because I did just assume that I would be using my own), etc. I told her I just want to make sure that I have all of my ducks in order before I come in for the interview.

I'll just leave it at that. I was nervous about asking questions because I got it in my head somehow that it would annoy them since I haven't even gone in for the interview yet, but then I decided that there is nothing wrong with that. I am a responsible adult and it's necessary to ask questions. It's okay to want to know details.

It's also a great thing that I am thinking logically in finding out insurance rates for such a thing and making sure the hours available for the position/compensation will end up paying for the insurance hike and leave me a reasonable amount of pay left over for the work I do.

I feel much better that I did that for myself. Phew. I took action. At the end of the day, if my wanting to ask questions annoys a potential employer in light of being a responsible adult, then that's not somebody I want to work for. That is so opposite of how I used to treat myself. Oooooh, that feels good.