Staying sane with a really crappy job

by Jen (October 5, 2007)

DumbLittleMan has a great post with tips on feeling better about your job, even if it’s not a great job. I’ve discovered them all by trial and error over the course of my working life.

But what if you have a job that really, really brings you down? An bullying boss, or a company that’s unethical in some way? Let’s assume, of course, that simply changing jobs is not a realistic option (as is often sadly the case). What do you do?

DLM’s tips still apply - they can minimize the damage, at least. Stay away from the drama, don’t let it get to you, etc. But if your job makes you feel like you need to be hosed off after a day in the place, consider taking some sort of positive action elsewhere in your life.

• Write that novel you always wanted to write.
• Get with a volunteer group of some sort.
• Turn your workplace into an online cartoon, if you have any artistic bent.
• Take up a hobby and be serious about it. Tell yourself it’s cheaper and better than therapy (it really can be!).
• Learn a musical instrument.
• Write letters to people. Or start a family newsletter.
• If you need to vent, start a very, very anonymous blog about, say, bullies in the workplace or company ethics. People will read it and empathize, and before you know it you have a little support system. You might even help yourself or someone else.
• If you just want a total escape from work, start a blog about something pleasant - a hobby, or stories from your childhood, or hilarious stories about your kids.

It doesn’t really matter what you do. If you’re scared of losing your crappy job, do something that can make you some extra money just in case. If you’re just so frustrated you can’t hold it in, you might find humor is the best medicine - reading it or writing it yourself.

And remember: you are so not alone.

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