I work in an office of 12 people, all of whom have the same political viewpoint which is different from mine. I have 4 siblings, 4 in-laws, and 9 nieces and nephews, those who have a political viewpoint share the same one which is different from mine.  My father used to say, don’t talk politics, religion or money.  Nowadays it seems that politics is talked about more than anything else, at least in my experience.  Lately I’ve felt anxious and depressed from the daily effort to let comments slide while still trying to engage.  It feels like I am carrying heavy weights.  I feel isolated and alone, especially at work.  Of my 12 co-workers, 3 are executives across the hall with not much interaction.  Two co-workers are working from home.  Of the remaining 7, 4 are close who eat lunch together, take afternoon walks, text outside of the office, etc.  As I said, they subscribe to the same political ideology.  I have tried to eat lunch in the lunch room with them, go out to lunch when asked, but I feel like I’m not in on the inside jokes and that they watch what they say around me.  Not a comfortable feeling.  Reminds me of being invited to the “cool kids” table in jr. high or high school but knowing I don’t belong.

Frankly, I don’t know what to do.  Conversations inevitably come back to something political.  I’m to the point where I want to stop engaging with my co-workers but that makes for a lonely, uncomfortable work experience too.

Any advice?