I am feeling depressed

I am anxious because of my new job

[Rafiki11]

What kind of job are you starting?

[Hidden in reply to Rafiki11]

It's in a coffee shop cafe.

[Rafiki11 in reply to Hidden]

That sounds lovely! I think that is a great job. Coffee shops feel so happy and peaceful to me. You will do a good job. Just tell people it’s your first day and they’ll be extra patient. I bet within a year you’ll be an expert at your job.

[Hidden in reply to Rafiki11]

The colleague are patient but it's getting the customers, I am serving, to react in the same way when I get in a muddle.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hi Johnblue. This advice might be moot right now if, depending on where you are, you need to wear a mask. But here it is in a single word: smile. Even just a little. Even if you don’t feel like it. A smile makes customers feel good about their day, about themselves, and about you. Smiles disarm customers who might otherwise be impatient. And smiling…..even “fake” smiling …will make you feel good as well. It’s easy, costs nothing, and goes such a long way. And if you are wearing a mask you can smile right through it. There are still going to be a few unpleasant entitled customers….just remember that’s about them and not you. I tell you this because I’ve had a job in a coffee shop and it works. And next time you’re the customer check out how you feel if your server smiles and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll do fine at this job….give it some time….

[Rafiki11 in reply to Hidden]

That makes sense. I would try to prepare for some customers being absolute jerks no matter what you do. That says more about them than it does about you and your performance.

When you get in a muddle, remember to breathe deeply and slowly. Most people will be kind and understanding when they see how much you want to do a good job.

Lean into your strengths. A lot of people who have autism have excellent memories and pay great attention to detail.

[NorwegianWood]

Anxiety is a mongrel! So is depression. However they are liers. They feel like crap but they don't tell the truth. Your life if much much bigger than these temporary terrible feelins.

Make sure you are getting exercise everyday where your heart is pushed to working hard. 6 weeks of exercise x 30min each day has been shown to be at least as effective as anti-depressant medication.

I've found that sugar in my diet increases my anxiety. Go easy with it and find other options.

Congratulations on the new job! That's a great thing to have on your CV. It's natural to have some anxiety for a new experience, but you will love yourself for having the courage to face the fear and walking through it. The first day is always the hardest.

[Hidden in reply to NorwegianWood]

Well explained Norwegian Wood.

[Hidden]

I am a failure