Dear a2fernan:

You wrote that you will not state your job because you don’t want to get negative comments. You also wrote that you are afraid that people at work will judge you for not giving this employment a shot.

You are very afraid of what people think of you, don’t you? That they will think of you negatively, judge you negatively? This is a difficult burden to carry and it results in anxiety. I believe I know how difficult it is to do what you are afraid of doing, it is like going to the dentist when your tooth aches but you are afraid of the pain at the dentist office. So if you don’t go, the tooth pain will get worse and you may need a whole surgery instead of a filling.

If you tell a co worker (choose one you feel the least scared of), you will be scared as you express your true emotions about the job (like being at the dentist office) but after you tell (after the visit to the dentist) – you will feel much better, relieved, liberated.

Right now it is like you having a tooth ache and it hurts and hurts and hurts. Going to the dentist would mean first, share your true feelings with a co worker, then maybe plan on quitting the job. But one step at a time.

anita