June 21, 2010
-
Eat Bitter
I tell myself - "It's just work, don't let it get to you." But it does. I lose sleep over it. I'm losing my hair. I'm practically losing my mind. It's getting very difficult to maintain any form of work life balance. Management knows that - but everyone toes the line. We fake it like we fake an orgasm. All the right sounds, the quick breathes... but not the mess.
Maybe I can hang in there a bit longer. But I'm not sure what the rewards are. I remember my parents working long hours at jobs they don't like simply to put food on the table, clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads. And so I must endure a bit longer and "eat bitter".
Comments (20)
Have you considered looking for another job? I know the economy isn't great but perhaps there is something out there that would be a bit better for you, Matt.
Yeah, J and I were talking about this yesterday. I know it won't be in IT but I've spent my life there and the money I make is decent.
have you determined the source of your unhappiness?
hang in there, matt
take a deep breath, drink lots of water, cook more food and well, read xanga more often (anything that would make you smile). you can try singing too if you want.
you'll get by...
Hang in there! I like the fact that you mentioned orgasm with work, mixing humor with bitter!
i try to have the mentality that "work will never be finished"...it's helped me to pace myself and to stop going crazy...=P
hang in there ~~
being able to balance and manage is a big thing in life ~u can do it ! ^^
Praying it gets better for you....chin up..
hang in there...I'm sure you will go thru this.....
Talk it over with J and see what he has to offer. Maybe it is time for a career change. Don't be afraid of that.
i completely forgot about that expression! i remember reading it for the first time in a novel, but i can't remember which one.
hang in there! maybe it's time for a vacation?
It is indeed "just work" Matt, but we spend so much of our time
at work that it's too bad it can't be more enjoyable for you.
I hope the start of this new week is treating you well,
I pray the stress if lifted and calm can roam freely in your spirit.
*~matthew~*
I am sorry to hear that Matt. Can you talk to the administration and find out what needs to be done, and how the work problem can be improved? What brought this on in the first place? Can you discuss that with the powers to be? Eating bitter when you can have desserts, doesn't solve the problem does it? May be you should take a day or two off, and look around at different opportunities. Why can't you get into some other IT companies?
Thinking of you and hoping this week will be lot better than the last one.
Vacation?
@kunhuo42 - I think it's quite common in Chinese: "吃苦" chī kǔ
My parents say it all the time, as well as "咬咬牙" yǎo yǎo yá (grit your teeth, i.e., try to bear it).
As for Matt, this may sound wacky, but have you tried taking a class in mindfulness meditation? It's being taught more and more to people in high-stress occupations, and I believe it's backed by science. I'm really easily overworked/overstressed and I'm thinking of learning some better coping mechanisms like that. :$ As for your specific predicament, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice, but only my best wishes that things will get better. I'm sure your superiors already know you're overworked. Forgive me for being cynical, but that's probably what they're counting on...
you can probably endure this for the short term... but i feel like you might want to switch jobs or something... cause if you continue to work for a company that makes you go...crazy, sooner or later, you wont be able to take it anymore. I'm sure your parents didn't toil day in and day out so that you can work a crappy job that you dislike. =/
@tsotofu - stress, unpredictable workload, long hours, unreasonable deadlines...
@Renatojr3 - I think my singing will cause a lot of stress for others.
@oxyGENE_08 - I hope so... that's what I keep telling myself.
@CurryPuffy - I don't think I'll ever lose my sense of humour. (although it has gotten me into trouble before)
@onmovement - my to do list at work never seems to shrink. Tonight is the first night in a long time I've decided not to do anywork. I just don't have the energy.
@Yamashow - aww... thank you!
@GracePrince - thanks - that's sweet of you.
@agmhkg - I hope so too.
@Fatcat723 - my values and interests have changed. So if I do get a different job, it's unlikely to be in IT. I like the salary but not the stress.
@kunhuo42 - endure more bitterness - I learned that from my mom in one of those quiet conversations in the kitchen.
@bleuzeus - thanks Matthew - the prayers are much appreciated.
@ZSA_MD - thanks Zakiah, always appreciate your kind words. I guess jobwise, I'm losing interest in IT and I'm not a technical person (as odd as that might sound).
@yang1815 - not yet.
@Senlin - sadly everyone else is overworked because of job cuts. I can send a note late at night and get a response. But I appreciate your good wishes. I'll have to look into meditation and other relaxation techniques. I guess blogging doesn't count.
@Devilzgaysianboi - Kevin - you're sounding very wise now.
(and you're so grown up now too).
@ElusiveWords - a new job in order?
@ElusiveWords - Weekend getaway to my house?
Comments are closed.