What has helped me the most is my faith in Christ, knowing who he is and knowing that he's in control. He has gotten me through every difficult situation ive faced. Some that I myself know I wouldn't have been able to overcome if it hadn't been for Christ.
I have always suffered from issues with employment. The top reasons are... 1. Rules. I also tend to be a literal person. Rules exist for a reason and should apply to everyone. Too often, they tend to only apply to me. Most other people are rule breakers who get away with their apathy and laziness. I have zero tolerance for special treatment, entitlement, exclusion, laziness, and abuses of power. Unfortunately, these elements saturate the common workspace. In my experience. 2. Lack of filter. I vocalize my observations, particularly as they relate to the issue above. People hate being called out. Rather than mangers and supervisors handing out corrective behavior tips to get everyone on track, I am more often punished for disturbing the status quo. I should just learn to get along and do what everyone else does. The problem is that I take pride in my work, which is often seen more as a shortcoming than a strength. 3. Insubordination. I have never responded well to people who abuse their power. If I am told to do something that doesn't follow common sense, isn't in alignment with the rules, puts me in harms way, demonstrates prejudice, or is an attempt to put me "in my place," I will protest. I will also explain why, which doesn't typically go over well. I also have zero respect for people in positions of authority who are not interested in leadership or who believe rules don't apply to them. I often make this clear. 4. Not fitting in. I have a deep aversion to mean people, hive mentality, and gossipers. They usually make up the majority of my coworkers. Because I have no filter, I call their sh*t out. I also do not engage in regular social activities, like drinking, drugs, and church. I find meaningful common ground hard to come by with the majority of people I meet. Since I am not a fan of superficial connections, I usually don't engage on my own outside of work perimeters. When I have, it wasn't for long. I absolutely hate being forced to wear social masks. It is exhausting and pointless. It also usually requires me to become someone I don't like. 5. Underappreciated and overly taken advantage of. I suffer from chronic devotion to employers who do not value me. My talents often lie in the details. This includes rules and procedures that do not work. They are easy to identify, as are their solutions. The problem is that leadership is ruled by a lazy ego and pointless tradition. I have been accused many times of being negative for bringing things to the attention of management. I have gone above and beyond for everyone I have ever worked for because of this annoying tendency toward devotion. I tolerate a lot of BS, or I did, before finally throwing in the towel or getting fired after inevitable meltdowns and or insubordinarion. Especially since I am not easily intimidated. This has been especially frustrating for people in positions above mine. In 2018, I quit my job at Starbucks after five miserable years. Since then, I have had at least twelve jobs. I have been fired from most of them. I have grown unable, or unwilling, to tolerate what I was forced to tolerate my entire life. I am in my early fifties now. As of this moment, I am undiagnosed. I now work as a server in a retirement community that pays only $12.50 an hour. It is the best job I have had in years, even though the pay is crap. Admittedly, it gets overwhelming at times, but i just talk myself through it. I have never, pursued a job based on pay, which is perplexing to the majority of people. I have no interest in either a miserable or boring job just because it pays more.
I can't even imagine going to work and not having anxiety but this video gave me hope. I wish I could find a job that I love that suits my needs. I will keep trying.
haha i did bartending for a few shifts and quickly quit because of interacting with coworkers and the busy work environment was so mental energy draining and anxiety inducing. Also my coworkers pushed more work onto me because they knew i was a diligent worker and they couldn't be bothered to do it themselves. It was so bad that I found that my head wouldn't stop thinking about the day after finishing my shift and this would keep me awake at night. One day I woke up having gotten very little sleep and eyes feeling like they have papercuts and I just knew this job was not sustainable for me and so i left sooner rather than later.
I’m currently struggling at my manufacturing engineering position. Some coworkers are extremely hard to work with. It feels like no matter how hard I try, it’s not good enough. It’s like whoever is below me doesn’t understand all that I do behind the scenes from the back end to get changes implemented. Having social anxiety and being surrounded by already negative, impatient people is a constant struggle and depletes my energy. I do a lot of great work, but since I’m more introverted and have delayed processing when I get nervous, I get looked over compared to my extroverted coworkers and I at times feel very undervalued yet given more work. Even setting boundaries doesn’t feel like enough. Putting on a happy, social, cooperative face every day is debilitating and exhausting. Not sure if the grass is greener, but I’v had 3 full time engineering positions since 2015 (I’m going on 6 years at my current position) and still the egotistical power dynamic and cooperate politics is harder to keep up with for how my brain works.
Ah that sounds tough, I haven’t got any advice but I’m sorry you’re in that position. Hang on in there and hopefully you can find a better work environment in the future
I worked in a self development project for young adults as a coach for 4 months, I really liked some aspects of the job and the colleagues were so kind. But after a month or so, I just couldn't keep up the masking anymore and grew more and more anxious in the many social interactions I had to have. I would be so overwhelmed when I went home, my whole body and brain buzzing. I'd go straight to the pub in my hometown and drink, a lot of whisky... and I usually don't drink at all. I also couldn't take care of myself or do my household chores anymore. When they asked me to continue working for them for the next group and also take up an extra group to work with I just couldn't, so I said no. I felt so bad and weak and failing as a human being.
I just found you through Orion and this is the first video I am watching. Now I did expect this to be emotional content for me hence why I picked up doing chores while listening to it, but I definitely did not expect to be crying over ironing clothes at midnight 😂❤ You are so right about how meaningful it is to share your experience to those of us who are alone and misunderstood. You have provided me with words for the struggles around career that I've been looking for, thank you so much. I do hope this works out for you as a full time!
A book store would be a good place to get a job at. One of my first jobs was working at a movie theatre. After that I worked in a restaurant for about 10.5 months. After that I worked in a grocery store and made donuts in the bakery for about 9 months. After that I got a job at a store named Costco Wholesale. Costco might have some stores in New Zealand (I do not live in New Zealand). Recently I watched a tv series from the 1990s called "Xena Warrior Princess " as well as "Hercules" which were filmed in New Zealand.
Frankly think Autism as an advantage tbh focus on your areas which you are extremely good at. You will be always biased against NT however you can succeed and often some people can become so good in terms of achievement mentally and financially. I agree money doesnt drive however find something which you are obsessed with.
I work in IT, that's my special interest going back to what I was little kid fiddling with old Atari pong console from 1972. In 25 year career in IT that pays really well. How you mention it's not really the money. That's so true. If I won the lottery I'd still have to do my job. Need to do that next new network.
Nice to have this pop up in my 'staying up way to late watching RUclips' feed :P Still watching it, and man there is a lot of interesting things so far, but I will get to tomorrow :P Just wanted to say though that the audio is fine in this and the last video. I went back to compare, and the only thing I could tell is the accoustics of the room in the last one, but I didn't notice it until you mentioned it. Both are good, but as a hand talker myself, I would say it is safe to use the old mic since it is easier :P
What has helped me the most is my faith in Christ, knowing who he is and knowing that he's in control. He has gotten me through every difficult situation ive faced. Some that I myself know I wouldn't have been able to overcome if it hadn't been for Christ.
I have always suffered from issues with employment. The top reasons are...
1. Rules. I also tend to be a literal person. Rules exist for a reason and should apply to everyone. Too often, they tend to only apply to me. Most other people are rule breakers who get away with their apathy and laziness. I have zero tolerance for special treatment, entitlement, exclusion, laziness, and abuses of power. Unfortunately, these elements saturate the common workspace. In my experience.
2. Lack of filter. I vocalize my observations, particularly as they relate to the issue above. People hate being called out. Rather than mangers and supervisors handing out corrective behavior tips to get everyone on track, I am more often punished for disturbing the status quo. I should just learn to get along and do what everyone else does. The problem is that I take pride in my work, which is often seen more as a shortcoming than a strength.
3. Insubordination. I have never responded well to people who abuse their power. If I am told to do something that doesn't follow common sense, isn't in alignment with the rules, puts me in harms way, demonstrates prejudice, or is an attempt to put me "in my place," I will protest. I will also explain why, which doesn't typically go over well. I also have zero respect for people in positions of authority who are not interested in leadership or who believe rules don't apply to them. I often make this clear.
4. Not fitting in. I have a deep aversion to mean people, hive mentality, and gossipers. They usually make up the majority of my coworkers. Because I have no filter, I call their sh*t out. I also do not engage in regular social activities, like drinking, drugs, and church. I find meaningful common ground hard to come by with the majority of people I meet. Since I am not a fan of superficial connections, I usually don't engage on my own outside of work perimeters. When I have, it wasn't for long. I absolutely hate being forced to wear social masks. It is exhausting and pointless. It also usually requires me to become someone I don't like.
5. Underappreciated and overly taken advantage of. I suffer from chronic devotion to employers who do not value me. My talents often lie in the details. This includes rules and procedures that do not work. They are easy to identify, as are their solutions. The problem is that leadership is ruled by a lazy ego and pointless tradition. I have been accused many times of being negative for bringing things to the attention of management. I have gone above and beyond for everyone I have ever worked for because of this annoying tendency toward devotion. I tolerate a lot of BS, or I did, before finally throwing in the towel or getting fired after inevitable meltdowns and or insubordinarion. Especially since I am not easily intimidated. This has been especially frustrating for people in positions above mine.
In 2018, I quit my job at Starbucks after five miserable years. Since then, I have had at least twelve jobs. I have been fired from most of them. I have grown unable, or unwilling, to tolerate what I was forced to tolerate my entire life. I am in my early fifties now.
As of this moment, I am undiagnosed.
I now work as a server in a retirement community that pays only $12.50 an hour. It is the best job I have had in years, even though the pay is crap. Admittedly, it gets overwhelming at times, but i just talk myself through it. I have never, pursued a job based on pay, which is perplexing to the majority of people. I have no interest in either a miserable or boring job just because it pays more.
I can't even imagine going to work and not having anxiety but this video gave me hope. I wish I could find a job that I love that suits my needs. I will keep trying.
I'm in the same boat as you, don't give up 💜
haha i did bartending for a few shifts and quickly quit because of interacting with coworkers and the busy work environment was so mental energy draining and anxiety inducing. Also my coworkers pushed more work onto me because they knew i was a diligent worker and they couldn't be bothered to do it themselves. It was so bad that I found that my head wouldn't stop thinking about the day after finishing my shift and this would keep me awake at night. One day I woke up having gotten very little sleep and eyes feeling like they have papercuts and I just knew this job was not sustainable for me and so i left sooner rather than later.
I’m currently struggling at my manufacturing engineering position. Some coworkers are extremely hard to work with. It feels like no matter how hard I try, it’s not good enough. It’s like whoever is below me doesn’t understand all that I do behind the scenes from the back end to get changes implemented. Having social anxiety and being surrounded by already negative, impatient people is a constant struggle and depletes my energy. I do a lot of great work, but since I’m more introverted and have delayed processing when I get nervous, I get looked over compared to my extroverted coworkers and I at times feel very undervalued yet given more work. Even setting boundaries doesn’t feel like enough. Putting on a happy, social, cooperative face every day is debilitating and exhausting. Not sure if the grass is greener, but I’v had 3 full time engineering positions since 2015 (I’m going on 6 years at my current position) and still the egotistical power dynamic and cooperate politics is harder to keep up with for how my brain works.
Ah that sounds tough, I haven’t got any advice but I’m sorry you’re in that position. Hang on in there and hopefully you can find a better work environment in the future
I worked in a self development project for young adults as a coach for 4 months, I really liked some aspects of the job and the colleagues were so kind. But after a month or so, I just couldn't keep up the masking anymore and grew more and more anxious in the many social interactions I had to have. I would be so overwhelmed when I went home, my whole body and brain buzzing. I'd go straight to the pub in my hometown and drink, a lot of whisky... and I usually don't drink at all. I also couldn't take care of myself or do my household chores anymore. When they asked me to continue working for them for the next group and also take up an extra group to work with I just couldn't, so I said no. I felt so bad and weak and failing as a human being.
Best jobs for us; where other autistic or introverted people are. A bookstore is a great choice!
I just found you through Orion and this is the first video I am watching. Now I did expect this to be emotional content for me hence why I picked up doing chores while listening to it, but I definitely did not expect to be crying over ironing clothes at midnight 😂❤
You are so right about how meaningful it is to share your experience to those of us who are alone and misunderstood. You have provided me with words for the struggles around career that I've been looking for, thank you so much. I do hope this works out for you as a full time!
Your comment is why I do what I do, thank you for sharing 💜
A book store would be a good place to get a job at. One of my first jobs was working at a movie theatre. After that I worked in a restaurant for about 10.5 months. After that I worked in a grocery store and made donuts in the bakery for about 9 months. After that I got a job at a store named Costco Wholesale. Costco might have some stores in New Zealand (I do not live in New Zealand). Recently I watched a tv series from the 1990s called "Xena Warrior Princess " as well as "Hercules" which were filmed in New Zealand.
Frankly think Autism as an advantage tbh focus on your areas which you are extremely good at. You will be always biased against NT however you can succeed and often some people can become so good in terms of achievement mentally and financially. I agree money doesnt drive however find something which you are obsessed with.
great video. thanks for sharing with us your struggles and how to overcome it.
You are so welcome! Thank you ☺️
I work in IT, that's my special interest going back to what I was little kid fiddling with old Atari pong console from 1972. In 25 year career in IT that pays really well.
How you mention it's not really the money. That's so true. If I won the lottery I'd still have to do my job. Need to do that next new network.
Nice to have this pop up in my 'staying up way to late watching RUclips' feed :P
Still watching it, and man there is a lot of interesting things so far, but I will get to tomorrow :P Just wanted to say though that the audio is fine in this and the last video. I went back to compare, and the only thing I could tell is the accoustics of the room in the last one, but I didn't notice it until you mentioned it. Both are good, but as a hand talker myself, I would say it is safe to use the old mic since it is easier :P
Thanks for the feedback ☺️
💕
I pray she will get a job.
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it 😀