I had a shitty day you guys. I have been going through an extremely rough patch with my SO. We have been living in separate bedrooms for the past 2 weeks. I have important design reviews coming up at work and despite having started prep for them almost a month ago, I made a lot of simple mistakes and had to keep redoing my work. This morning I discovered my manager scheduled the review 2 days out and I was not even remotely close to ready.
I called a coworker who I consider a confidant, at least professionally, and asked her if she thought I could ask our manager for a week’s time. She said based on the inside buzz that won’t be possible. I broke down and started crying. She asked what happened. I shamelessly said I am going through a tough time and potential separation. It was so ridiculous. Who says that? I very rarely talk about my personal life, almost nil. Then I apologized profusely to her. Ordered Taco Bell and shamelessly binged on it out of stress and embarrassment. Then I made myself throw up. Now I am just sitting and wondering what the hell is wrong with me and why I can’t get it together.
Comments
It can be especially rough when your SO is usually your person to work through rough times with, and then that isn’t an option when the rough time is the relationship with your SO. And when it rains, it pours, and everything seems to go wrong at the same time.
I’m sorry you’re having a rough time. I don’t have any advice, but can say that I also cried in a coworker’s office on accident this week – you are not alone.
No shame in crying. I’ve cried in meetings with my (male) manager….
No shame in Taco Bell either
Maybe you are struggling to finish because of the atmosphere at home. Can you go to a friend’s, your parents, a cafe, library or community space to concentrate? Somewhere you feel productive with good music and lots of comfort food.
Remember to eat, glucose is super important for brain function. Maybe not taco bell tho lol.
Don’t worry about crying on the coworker, we have all cried on someone at some point. They should consider it badges of honour.
Go as hard as you can before the deadline and if you are still not happy explain to the person concerned that there’s a bit going on in your life at the mo, and the finished concept is actually this, and you will be happy to bring it to them again once complete.
You did nothing bad here and have nothing to be ashamed of. Give yourself some grace here, you are not an emotionless work bot and you are going through an extremely stressful time.