AMAA: Work Stress
Work stress is different for everyone, be it the woes of casual employment, job interview anxiety or social barriers to employment/education. It's normal to feel stressed about this stuff; it's also important to let someone know if it's starting to get you down. This month we're going to share our experiences with a guest and I'll be sharing handy resources if you find yourself stressed about employment.
This topic covers a broad range of experience, and we are here for all of it, from how to cope with financial stress to building your confidence and self-esteem. You might have experienced work stress in the past, or maybe you're feeling it now. You aren't alone, and you don't have to struggle in silence - that's why we're inviting a guest to chat about it!
This will be our guests second time joining the community for a live chat. Kai is a Youth Ambassador of ReachOut and is looking forward to answering your questions. Introducing:
"I'm Kai, 22, Queer, Non-Binary person, Photography and film student, hair dye enthusiast and cat lover. I spent two years unemployed and faced hundreds of rejection emails each week, I was facing a tough situation financially, when I finally caught a break and secured a casual job"
We're looking forward to having this discussion, and you can submit your questions below.
We’ll be here on the 30th of September, answering your questions between 7-9 pm! In the meantime, you can check out all our work and money content here.
Yeah! So when you're applying for jobs, try to limit the amount of time you spend a day doing it, and when youre not actively applying, use the rest of the day to do some self care activities, like reading, creating things, really just doing some things you love to do. Also try and remember that even if you get a rejection email, its not the end of the world and it doesn't reflect your worth! When i was applying for jobs, after each application i sent, i ate a little lolly as a reward
@KaiRoe, I love the idea of rewarding yourself after each application. I also think it's excellent advice to have a set period you apply for jobs and time for self-care/creating/relaxing.
When I've been between jobs, I know I struggle to relax because I'm not working. Looking back, I can see I was actually doing a lot by applying for jobs/doing courses to upskill. Everyone deserves to chill 🙂
Exactly! self care should be high on your priorities list, especially when inbetween jobs!
Let's start off by getting to know you some more @KaiRoe 😀
Can you tell us about your experience with work stress?
Sure can! While i've worked many jobs in my life, i expereinced a period of two years really struggling to find employment after leaving one job because it wasn't right for me, during that time i'd just moved out of home and was desperate for work as i had rent to pay and three cats to support. I spent those two years applying for 40+ jobs a day and getting hundreds of rejection emails a week, before I applied for my current job, and after a few interviews they decided to give me a chance
@KaiRoe That sounds like it was really hard to go through, especially as you'd just moved out of home. I was in a similar situation where I applied for a lot of jobs and kept getting rejected before I got my current temporary role, but I couldn't imagine how I would have got on if I had rent and other bills to pay. Luckily, I was still living at home at the time.
Gosh @KaiRoe I can how challenging that would have been. I've been through times like that too and it can be tough to stay so motivated with job applications. I'm glad to hear that you landed your current role, do you enjoy it?
I do actually, Im a disability support worker so i find my job super fulfilling! it totally helps that all my co-workers are all super nice too!
I actually applied for disability support work before I got my current job! It's a fulfilling role.
Hello online community and to everyone who reads through this chat later! Tonight we are talking about all this work stress and we have a diverse range of questions which is great.
I would like to welcome @KaiRoe back to the forum for their second live event with us. Thank you so much for joining us to talk about something that almost everyone will experience in their lifetime.
Hi everyone! Super keen to be back with you all tonight, I hope everyone is doing okay!
Welcome @KaiRoe! Loved your last chat with us!
Thanks for coming back to do another AMAA!
Me too @WheresMySquishy We're super lucky to have you with us a second time @KaiRoe 😃
Hey @WheresMySquishy how are you tonight? thank you for joining us!!
Hi @Bre-RO! I had a bit of work stress today, so this chat is so timely for me but I'm feeling better now. How are you? I hope you're doing well.
Hey @Lost_Space_Explorer5 lovely to have your company this evening 😁
Me too @Lost_Space_Explorer5 we already have a bunch of great questions!
