Ashamed of my job

[littlemissshy]

After finally getting a job i've been working at a library for over a year now. The library holds lectures and debates so there is a lot of very well educated people working and visting the library. So when i tell people where i work they always seem really interested to hear about it. The only thing is i work as a cleaner and i can't bring myself to tell anyone, personally i don't think there is anything wrong with this work and i love it. I took the job because it was perfect to help control my anxiety, i don't have to work with the public and i only work with four other people.
I haven't told anyone what it is i do and if they ask i just say i'm a general assistant and leave it at that. I actually like my job but all my other friends are teachers or have other professional jobs, in an ideal world i would tell them but i know people can be very judgemental even when they don't mean to be, i just couldn't face telling them and i'm just hoping i don't get found out. I just think it's the kind of thing i'll have to put up with.
Any advice please?

[PanicOver!!]

By hiding it i think it will only add anxiety
You have nothing to be ashamed of you are working and enjoying it not many people nowadays can say that
If they judge you its them that have the problem not you

[JohnLuke300]

Your reaction is typical of social anxiety, the solution quite simply is to be prepared to accept that most people will not think negatively of you because you are a cleaner. There is nothing wrong with being a cleaner and I like most people will not think any the less of you for being one. Your anxiety is being caused by what you think other people might think of you, so you feel you have to lie or avoid the subject. But these are maintaining your anxiety in these situations, I know it's not easy but admit to being a cleaner and do not try to read what they might be thinking from their reactions. Very few of us can read body language accurately and even less minds. :D Once you start accepting this you anxiety in these situations will begin to subside.

Hope that helps

John

[kazzie]

Hey:D

My sister is a cleaner and she loves it!!!!


Im an undertaker....look on peoples faces....priceless lol:D

I lie about my job and say I work in an office(which I do) just leave out the manky bits LOL

Hold your head up high:yesyes:

Kaz x

[Thorny]

As you said, people can be so judgmental, and that can destory confidence.

Cleaners are vital, without great cleaners like you Littlemissshy, the country would be a worse place.

Take Care

Matt.

[phil06]

I'm ashamed of my job but know I won't be doing it forever. I guess there is jobs you can be proud of and others you do for cash. It sounds normal but at the moment I'm sure working is a good thing and a job is a job there's millions being paid off in a recession who are worse of than you.

If you are not happy try looking for other jobs. I'm doing that but it's not easy finding one.

[Bluebelle]

Hiya
I think if you're working you should be proud of yourself. Sometimes when my anxiety and issues become too much I can't work, can't even leave my house !
I think the fact that you're able to work is a HUGE success ! I think it is a great accomplishment that you've been able to find work that you love and I am so encouraged by your success at finding employment that is perfect for controlling your anxiety.
I think you have incredible strength to search out and get this job and you should be super proud of yourself. People who suffer with anxiety have so many more hurdles to overcome and you're overcoming these hurdles beautifully-this is fantastic !
Well done and be proud of yourself!
Love-Bluebelle

[littlemissshy]

Everyone thank you so much for your amazing words of encouragement, i felt stupid after i'd posted as i know people have a lot more serious problems but i'm glad i did.
Thankyou all x

[AntiLove_SuperStar]

You know what..I recently started a cleaning job to try and get a bit of extra money leading up to my Finals at university. And I lasted ONE DAY, because it was, frankly, too hard physically. I have nothing but respect for cleaners of any type.

[mystic3178]

Everyone thank you so much for your amazing words of encouragement, i felt stupid after i'd posted as i know people have a lot more serious problems but i'm glad i did.
Thankyou all x

Hi Littlemissshy..

I work in a school as an IT Technician and you would be amazed at the professional status of some of our cleaners all because it pays bills and there is no stress compared to the job they were originally in before events dictated. And that came from a cleaner. I have friends that would die for a caretaker position becasue they are sick of the stress in their current jobs so don't put yourself down. Be proud of what you do.

Mystic3178

[charlotte-louise]

Hiya :)

I felt i had to reply to you!

First of all, im a cleaner...when i got my cleaning position 18 months ago i thought this wont be forever because i just took it on to pay the bills

but u know! its one of the most important jobs out there and because of snobbery some people dont see that including myself until recently!

I work in a sports centre - if the sports centre wasnt clean, they would have nobody coming in, they would have to be shut down and therefore there wouldnt BE a sports centre :) and that keeps me happy and positive and not feeling ashamed!! when i tell people im a cleaner if they go "oh" or whatever its their problem, im out earning money, socialising and it helps! :)

[PanicOver!!]

Well said x

[Maj]

Hi
I work in a hospital and I have nothing but admiration for the cleaners. They work so hard and get so little pay, it's unfair. You don't see many manager's breaking a sweat! Cleaning in a library sounds like a nice job so please don't be ashamed. If your friends are judgemental then that's their problem. You sound like a nice, caring and sensitive person to have as a friend. Be proud of yourself.
Kind regards
Myra x

[PoppyC]

Hello :)
I think you should be proud of the fact that despite your problems with anxiety, that you are out there and working. I can't do that and work from home but would love to be out there working again. I keep letting anxiety and agoraphobia hold me back, for now anyway.
You are providing a service in helping with the running of the library, and it is an important service.
It doesn't matter what job a person does - its what that person is like as a person. I have met many professional types who were obnoxious people, despite being highly educated. and some of the nicest have been people working ordinary average jobs.Who cares about impressing people - do it for yourself and if you are happy within your job then that's what counts. Not many people can say they are happy in their work.
You don't always have to to do the job that you are doing and maybe you will progress as time goes on, but for now if you are happy with what you are doing, then that's a good thing - just try and switch off from your thoughts about what other people will think of you. Just tell people you work in a library and leave it at that, or tell people you work as a cleaner there. If anyone should look down their nose at you, then what does it matter what a person like that should think of you, as they wouldn't be a good person.
I think you are doing really well in working whilst you have anxiety issues and you should be proud of yourself.

[Meg37]

Hi
Please don't be ashamed of your job, there are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes and if anyone has a problem with what you do then thats their problem and says more about them than you.

I have had cleaning jobs myself in the past and it is not an easy job! You should be proud of yourself :). I understand your concerns about people being judgemental but sometimes people can surprise you.

I hope you feel better about this soon :D