Monday morning

[William3747]

I struggle with anxiety, depression, social anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I struggle with Monday’s in particular walking into an open plan office with shared seating and meetings all day. Can someone give some kind words to get me through tomorrow... I know I can do it but it’s like walking through treacle and mentally draining thinking that everyone hates me.

[Hidden]

Mind Maps - by Tony Bunzan helps you organise your thoughts so you think more detail and clearly otherwise it is just planning what you might input from your department

[ncrbrts]

I'm with you - open plan offices are the worst (I have ASD and social anxiety so there is a sensory factor in my discomfort), and Mondays can often be unbearable. I have thrown many a sickie on a Monday morning because I just can't get to a point where I can get to work. On successful days I will challenge my thoughts. Have you ever asked yourself what proof you have that everyone hates you? I imagine if you thought about it carefully, you would find that there is none - and if there's no proof, then thinking about serves no purpose. My problem lies in not feeling good enough, and I can successfully challenge this by asking myself what proof I have that I'm not good enough.

[William3747 in reply to ncrbrts]

Your right it’s all about challenging your own thought process. I need to remember that, I had cbt in the summer and the main thing I took out of it is that I need to challenge back and also my thoughts and feelings are not projected out so no one can see it

[Hidden]

William

I used too work in a office when at work and it was always like working in a cage of monkeys.

Although in some ways I was lucky I would spend about two days outside, and that made my days much more bearable. Like you I had meetings that were outside my place of work.

I was not the only one that felt the same, most of the office was the same and in a way the company was able to divide and conquer. and that made their employees that much more ratty and they would fight among themselves

We were stuck in the office even for tea breaks and Lunch times, many would go out for half an hour for a walk, or go upstairs to a Refectory to get away from the clutter of the open plan below. I also was able to visit other departments and that also helped me walk around and disappear for a time. You mention you are able to sit anywhere, you do not have your own desk is it not possible to take a break especially if you are able to move about more.

The attitude in our Office was we would say we had to see someone and disappear for a time. Sad to say it has been thirty years since working and I will be out of touch,

I used to attend meetings Voluntary Think Tanks and I would be fed at lunch time, just sandwiches and salad etc, it was an incentive I suppose.

Try and get your place of work, work for you. without loosing your job, there must be something you can do. You have heard the one where John Worked in an Office, He would walk around with a piece of paper in His hand, No-one Bothered Him, thought He was busy

BOB

[hypercat54]

Hi I can lay one worry to rest. Hating someone takes a lot of time and energy so why are you important enough for them to do so? I guarantee they are much more likely to be thinking of themselves and their own lives and too absorbed in that to spare you more than a passing thought. x

[Hidden]

There are leadership books and meeting books that could inspire you to think of your goals and plans and complaints

[henryclark]

I don’t know why the following saying by someone gives me comfort as I gather strength for Monday’s, social events, holiday gatherings with family...

I paraphrase...

“If I realized how little time people thought of me, I wouldn’t take so much time being worried about what people think of me”

I take this as everyone is in their own head. Most people are exactly like you and me, they are occupied with their lives and not mine.

Your (my) thoughts which result in these feelings are real, and remember they are in your mind, you can change them if you want. Feel the feelings then let them go.

You are not alone in this fear.

Now what do you (I) do with it. I like that you reached out. You helped me by telling me I am not alone.

[William3747 in reply to henryclark]

Just read this again, this has really helped this week thank you

[henryclark]

William, I am filled with advice that I can’t live by! Reach out anytime

Your not alone, things do get better...but only with effort.