Coping with Stress

I think I cope with stress pretty well.  I do get a bit shouty at times - but everyone ignores that, and I sometimes get snappy.  I did get to a point though last year where I was crying all the time.  I had been moved from an office where I had a very varied and autonomous role to one where I was a member of a team carrying out a purely admin function.  I hate admin.  I've done it for over 10 years and it was ok because my role was varied and much more than just paperwork.  Once I got moved paperwork is all I did. 

Anytime I was asked if I liked my new job I started crying.  I hated going in.  In the end I went to the doctors.  She prescribed time!  She signed me off for two weeks.  I woke the next morning feeling great.  It made me start to think about stopping work altogether. 

I was signed off for 6 weeks in total.  In this time I investigated how much money we would have/not have if I stopped.  I discussed it with my partner, my mum, my friends.  I tried to get rid of the guilt I felt at not wanting to work anymore. 

In the end I took the decision to stop. The day I went to see my manager and handed in my notice was the best day ever.  I walked out of the office feeling like a great weight had been lifted from my head.  Its the best decision I've ever made.  My house is no tidier - but I have time to sort things for Adam, to pick the little ones up from school, to go on school trips, help out in school.  I'm also trying to set up a parents group for parents who have young adults with special needs and sorting out Adams support plan.

I go swimming with my friend and we have lunch one day a week. 

I still get stressed, but I am able to cope with it better as I have some time every day to myself.


Specialsaturday
Coping with Stress
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