Question Twenty-Three - Coping Mechanisms at Work?

Question Twenty-Three – If needed, what coping mechanisms have you put in place with regards to your work space?

Donna

Reliance on God’s strength

Alyss

Coping in general, not exclusively, or inclusively, connected to my significant other status:

Prayers, lots of prayer; the Psalms are great when times are tough. Bible reading in the morning is the best form of defence, cue “Men in Black” ;)

Stay out of the projects and areas where challenging people are concerned. As an empath, I walk into a room and tend to sense the most negative energy in a room and work on avoiding it, which is quite exhausting; but I have learnt through so many varied work environments that people can’t change what they don’t see a need to change, and sometimes not even if they know something needs to change.

I have found a ‘go to’ colleague in each space who is authentic and gets what is going on, so if I need to have a good cry, then I can go to them and they won’t judge, they will just let me get the emotions out. Why cry? Why get the emotions out? Well, if I don’t, then it becomes dis-ease… and dis-ease breaks one from the inside out. Thus I need to keep the ‘ease’ on the inside, the ‘peace’, which means venting in a safe space and releasing the dis-ease, so I find those spaces, sometimes it’s even the quietest ladies rest room on my own for a good sob.

“The Artist’s Way”, journaling it all out my system in the morning has helped too. Sometimes I can only get to that on the weekend though; but it’s another release and exit point for the nonsensical inside me.

Actual singleness = keep everything on email, avoid the WatsApp option where it gets uncomfortable, immediately report and share any incidents with a reliable colleague so that you have a trail of shared stories with someone who can be more objective and, if necessary, supportive, ensure meetings are minuted and I bring in a colleague when I don’t want a one-on-one meeting for my gut reasons, but if I have to, doors, curtains, blinds, windows are open and I have a laptop with me, open in front of me and focused on, to type out whatever is happening (stating that I need to for recollection purposes later so I can improve my work). I always dress appropriately with loose trousers and long sleeves, conveying professionalism that shows my focus on work.

CJ

In general, to deal with work:

I have two cats who remind me that one cannot work 24/7!

I have my home office upstairs and my living space downstairs so that I can close the door to the office and relax in my private space.

NH

I try not to get drawn into conversations at work around my relationship status.  I am quite a private person anyways, so it would always be outside my comfort zone.  I would say most conversations I have about relationships in the workplace are with other single women; I suppose everyone is looking for some reassurance.

Lizanne

I have kept to myself in order to prevent being judged; but, as I gain confidence in myself and healing from my past, I am starting to step out and share more of who I am.

I am quite picky about who I choose to associate with.

C.B.

Not being coy, I am considered fairly attractive but putting up boundaries and being a lady has always helped me to be seen as professional but still fun.