If you’ve followed me for a while (and I love you for that) you’ll know that I have a job other than this pretty, shiny, website. I work overnights (10pm-7am) at a Walmart, stocking whatever they want me to stock. (Not glamorous, I know.) I’ve maintained that I enjoy my job and plan to continue to work there for the foreseeable future. There was a small hitch in that plan.
I began to hate my job.
I had a bad night, which turned into two nights, which turned into a week. That led to me calling in for three days (which I never, ever, do!) just to save my sanity, and the time off was nice, and then I came back and things still hadn’t changed. I was grumpy and annoyed and my job, that I usually took so much pride in, became this thing that I did half-assed. It didn’t get better, if anything it got worse and I began to just seethe with I-hate-my-job vibes all of the time. This went on for a good month and then I had a revelation:
Nothing at my job had changed, except for my attitude.
I still had the same co-workers, managers, and responsibilities that I’d had the month before and the month before that. I realized that if I wanted to like my job all I had to do was change my way of thinking and I could make it happen. (p.s. Having a naturally sunny disposition doesn’t hurt.)
Now I know, I know, every situation is different. And you might have a super crappy job that no amount of positive thinking is going to fix. That’s totally valid! But if you’re feeling a bit cranky or burnt-out, hopefully, these tips will help!
Think about what your job allows you to do.
If you didn’t have your job, chances are you wouldn’t be able to do a lot of the things that you get to do. No matter how much you dislike your job, it is serving a purpose! My job has supported me for seven years. It has enabled me to be independent, to take care of myself, and to allow Blessing Manifesting to grow at its own pace instead of something that needs to support me right now. I am very grateful for that.
Have a positive attitude about your co-workers.
Working with people you hate is the best way to suck the happiness out of you. There’s probably going to be someone you don’t like, someone you don’t get along with, someone that is a complete drama queen, and someone that just doesn’t work as hard as you do. Treating those people with kindness, being positive, and letting it roll off your back (in most situations) is the best way to deal with it.
Give everyone your brightest smile and move on. One thing I’ve learned is that 95% of people will appreciate you for your positive attitude. Also, find something to like about your coworkers, become friends with them. I speak from experience that going to work and being among friends is the best thing ever.
Find a way to distract yourself.
If you don’t like the work you are doing, distract yourself with happy thoughts. If you work in Customer Service, know that just being nice can have a huge impact on someone’s day. Find things to daydream about, bring a really good book to read on your breaks. Break up the monotony if you can. Listen to music, even if it’s just in your head. Make fabulous plans, come up with stories, think about the things that make you happy. Find joy in unexpected places.
Know that you are lucky.
In today’s world, jobs aren’t always easy to come by. Just the fact that you have one makes you lucky, it gives you something to be incredibly thankful for. Know that, appreciate that, be grateful for that. Knowing that you can contribute to taking care of your family is something that a lot of people are struggling with right now. Even if your job isn’t perfect or giving you enough of what you need, at least it’s there.
Take a break.
Make sure that you are taking advantage of your vacation days and your personal days. Try to spread them out so you get as much time away as possible. Work on getting your other life-obligations done during the work week so that you can actually relax on the weekend. Practice self-care every day, it will help you de-stress and be a happy you, and above all else, don’t underestimate the power of a five-minute “bathroom break” which involves looking at funny videos on your phone.
Spread your wings and soar.
If none of that works and you’re still hating your job, then leave (I know it isn’t always an option, but if it is, take it!). You can always try to transfer to a different place, find a new position, or try to move up in some way. Find something that doesn’t suck. Find a way to get your dream job, if your dream job doesn’t exist then create it! (I did, it’s awesome) Look into taking classes, getting a degree, or getting certified, for something that does make your heart sing. You always have a choice. You always have an option. You’re not stuck unless you allow yourself to be.
Speaking to me so much today, Dominee! Thanks!
Already commented on Facebook, but just showing the love here too… thanks again!
So, so true. When I was going thru some challenges it worked out well timing-wise since I had just begun my journey into Goddess spirituality so I wrote about the challenges and placed he paper into my Goddess box. I stayed focused on gratitude and prayer and last yr I was thrilled when I realized that those issues no longer existed. Many thanks for writing this. <3
AWESOME post, Dominee… thank you so much for sharing it!!! I love the way that you look at things and how sweetly and helpfully you break problems down and make them manageable for all of us.
As you might remember, up until April of this year I had a job that I was absolutely miserable at – we're talking crying every single day, totally depressed, a wreck every Sunday kind of miserable. Thank god I found a new one, but for a few different reasons I had to stay at my old job for 6 whole weeks after I'd given notice. The crazy, eye-opening thing was that for those 6 weeks, I was totally fine working at my old job. As you said, same boss, same duties, same everything; it was just that knowing that there was an end point took away the soul-sucking, is-this-all-there-is quality. It totally changed how I look at work and challenges in general – so often the worst of my tortured feelings just come because I'm afraid I'll be stuck in the sucky situation forever. If I eliminate that fear, I really am okay.
I know this is a novel but you really got me thinking/talking! Thanks again darling Dominee!!!!
That place can really suck the soul out of you, if you let it. But to be honest, I haven't found another job I like better than Walmart. I had some amazing co-workers, and a fairly easy job. I only wish I had appreciated it when I had it. You're one of the best parts of that place, don't forget that!
Changing your attitude about where you work and what you do is definitely the key to all of it. I do my very best to keep a smile on my face at the grocery store, not just for the customers, but for my fellow employees, too. They see me enjoying what I do, and it either makes them look at their tasks in a new light, or it makes them hate me. Those that hate me? Oh well. LOL
Definitely sharing this, thanks!
Our attitude shifts so much, doesn't it?! Loved reading this Dominee……..and love the part where you said 'you're not stuck unless you allow yourself to be'……total truth :)
thanks for the upbeat blog and i think one of the things you hit on is to appreciate the fact that even though your current job may not be your dream, it can support you while you work on the way to your dream job… so important. love your blog
Oh boy, have I ever been there! Like you, I had to work on *not* hating it (after I'd spent about 3 years working up to REALLY hating it!). As soon as I let it be ok, I could leave. Hate binds you to a situation (weird, but true!). Great post Dominee. xx