Tell me about stress

[Burgold]

Last Thursday, I added a client on the reference of a friend (who turns out didn't really know the client) This client didn't want to see my resume, but just wanted me to get started. So, I did. All of a sudden, she proclaims I'm her right-hand man and essential and needs every waking hour that I can spare over the next few weeks. She's calling me when I'm off shift and working with other clients. I start receiving calls from people she's working with. She wants me to draft all her documents and I don't even really have a grasp for what the company is! She wants me to type up legal contracts for her investors, work out insurance deals on properties I've never seen, contact government agencies for her, problem solve internet issues and web design... Worse thing is... I don't know how to do many of these things and when I advise her of this... she just smiles and says to look up an online tutorial.

I worked for her Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday... I resigned on Tuesday, mostly because of the calls. I started waking up with headaches and getting this weird fatigued feeling in my legs. I actually even went to the doctor and I never go to doctors. I almost never get sick.

Anywho, just trying to whine and get things out. I really dislike the notion of quitting anything. It's just against my nature. (Heck, sometimes I can't even quit an ES thread when it's well past obvious that I should)

Feel free to give me advice and to share your own misadventures. Oh, and advice on how to wind down would be appreciated too.

[twa]

There are plenty of people out there that will try to wring out your very soul IF you allow it....I won't relate my experiences,mainly to keep from reliving them.


I find destroying or beating up a inanimate object followed by isolation with nature relieves the stress quickly...let the pressure loose responsibly and recharge. :2cents:

[curlinga]

Good for you for walking away! :applause:


It may not be in your nature to do so, but dropping that toxic client was the right thing to do. I would bet that your stress level has dropped already.

I have found that meditation and deep breathing does nothing for my stress (works for some, but not me). The best stress reliever is sex...but you probably already knew that, right? ;) :silly: Although going for a run or a few rounds on the heavy bag at kickboxing class work too.

Amy

[SkinsOrlando]

Burgold,

First and foremost, rest, even though the physical toll of the work might not be all that exhausting, mental fatigue will cause physical fatique. I would also recommend drinking some herbal relaxant tea, st.johns wart is good for stress and remaining calm. This might sound odd but find a large sheet of bubble wrap and start popping the **** out of it, does wonders for me.

[Burgold]

Thanks for the advice all. I've never had this physiological reaction to stress before and I've worked completely insane hours and jobs and over much longer durations as most of us have. I think a day of indulgence is definately needed, all your ideas sound good- tea, park, healthy physical exercion, rest. And thanks for the support for choosing to leave. I think that stresses me out too. I hate letting anyone down.

Orlando,

The bubble wrap thing doesn't sound odd at all to me. When I worked in a psych ward 10 years ago, doing tactile things like working with clay, or mindless things like popping, or squeezing actually was a good reliever.

[Leonard Washington]

that sucks man....

did you at least do her? :P

[Rocky21]

Burgold,
Typing up legal contracts for investors, working out insurance deals on properties, contacting government agencies for her, internet issues and web design... That's a lot of different kind of stuff. What line of work are you in?

[KAOSkins]

Burgold,
Typing up legal contracts for investors, working out insurance deals on properties, contacting government agencies for her, internet issues and web design... That's a lot of different kind of stuff. What line of work are you in?

Check out the threads he starts, quality content AND concept. He's a writer.

There's enough unavoidable stress in life by itself. Needlessly adding to it is foolish. You done good Burgold! :)

[Burgold]

That's part of it. Primarily, these days I'm a writer and artist, but I also do sound engineering for recordings and broadcast, some investment analysis and I have a few clients that I still consult with on special ed issues. So, I do wear a number of hats. Just not really those and a number of my clients like the fact that I have a research/psych background, but also have the artsy side. But I'm not really a finance guy and I'm not a lawyer and I'm okay with using computers, but I don't really know how to design or program.

[Air Force Cane]

Can't say that I feel badly for you- when there are Marines in Anbar and Army troopers in Diyala working 20 hour days in 120 degree heat and sleeping on cement floors.

While they are dodging IEDs and being sniped at.

Maybe if you think about what other people go through it would give you some perspective that you don't have it that bad.

Complaining about working too hard for a professional trade in America is a bit narcissistic when about half the planet is either hungry, diseased, or facing war.

if you have all your limbs, are relatively healthy, and have enough to eat you are pretty lucky..

[Burgold]

I think that is a completely fair statement, ASF. I would never presume to say my life is amongst the worst or even most stressful. I just wanted some advice, because I hadn't this reaction to stress before.

[Burgold]

with minor edit
Complaining about... professional [sports] in America is a bit narcissistic when about half the planet is either hungry, diseased, or facing war.

if you have all your limbs, are relatively healthy, and have enough to eat you are pretty lucky..


It just occurred to me that you were attacking 99% of the board and half of its reason to exist. Complaining is a healthy outlet for emotion.

Besides, it's not nice to kick a guy when he's down. Give me a few days and then start kicking.

[DCsportsfan53]

It just occurred to me that you were attacking 99% of the board and half of its reason to exist. Complaining is a healthy outlet for emotion.

Besides, it's not nice to kick a guy when he's down. Give me a few days and then start kicking.


You know better than to sweat ANYTHING that guy says. He's the biggest blowhard and joke in the tailgate, everyone knows that. We'd all be much better off if no one responded to his constant, belligerent stupidity anymore.

[Raub]

Drink heavily. It works for me.

[kramdizzle]

You know better than to sweat ANYTHING that guy says. He's the biggest blowhard and joke in the tailgate, everyone knows that. We'd all be much better off if no one responded to his constant, belligerent stupidity anymore.

probably got NNT'd for a reason

[Rocky21]

That's part of it. Primarily, these days I'm a writer and artist, but I also do sound engineering for recordings and broadcast, some investment analysis and I have a few clients that I still consult with on special ed issues. So, I do wear a number of hats. You have some diverse skills. I'll tip my hat to anyone that is able to make a living writing. Good luck in the future.

[Henry]

This thread is useless without pics.


Finally got to say it. :)

[Burgold]

This thread is useless without pics.


Finally got to say it. :)

made me chuckle, Henry. Thanks.

Here's a pic (though it's not me or her) Still, I think it fits.

http://www.yogainlasvegas.com/images/stress_one.gif

[Burgold]

You have some diverse skills. I'll tip my hat to anyone that is able to make a living writing. Good luck in the future.

thanks :cheers:

[SEF]

Can't say that I feel badly for you- when there are Marines in Anbar and Army troopers in Diyala working 20 hour days in 120 degree heat and sleeping on cement floors.

While they are dodging IEDs and being sniped at.

Maybe if you think about what other people go through it would give you some perspective that you don't have it that bad.

Complaining about working too hard for a professional trade in America is a bit narcissistic when about half the planet is either hungry, diseased, or facing war.

if you have all your limbs, are relatively healthy, and have enough to eat you are pretty lucky..

Damned liberal hippy.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Can't say that I feel badly for you- when there are Marines in Anbar and Army troopers in Diyala working 20 hour days in 120 degree heat and sleeping on cement floors.

While they are dodging IEDs and being sniped at.

Maybe if you think about what other people go through it would give you some perspective that you don't have it that bad.

Complaining about working too hard for a professional trade in America is a bit narcissistic when about half the planet is either hungry, diseased, or facing war.

if you have all your limbs, are relatively healthy, and have enough to eat you are pretty lucky..

I don't disagree that other people are worse off, but that doesn't mean that Burgold doesn't have the right to ask for advice...

I don't see the relevance of comparing someone with work stress to a soldier or a starving person in a third-world country. If that were the end-all, then every discussion on ES would end with that response...

Problem: The Skins D sucks.
Solution: At least we get to watch football instead of starving to death.

Problem: I hate Democrats.
Solution: At least you get to hate someone/something freely.

Problem: Tony Romo is too dorky to be tagging Carrie Underwood.
Solution: Quit complaining. At least you're not stuck in a desert fighting a war in 120 degree heat.

You could go on and on, but just because people have it worse, doesn't mean you have to quit attempting to make your life better.

:2cents:

By the way, if you were kidding around, I missed it and apologize 100%.