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Kicking the shoes off, putting away the laptop, having a power nap, or hopping into a shower—these are just some things people do to unwind after a long day of work. It helps not only to relax but also to separate the time for earning your daily bread and time for yourself. It is especially important if you find it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance or work in a toxic environment.

Members of Reddit's ‘Life Pro Tips’ community recently discussed the ways they separate the professional and personal lives and unwind once the workday is done. The user ta_sysadmin_ asked them how to detach, decompress at a toxic job, and opened up about working in a very stressful environment. Fellow redditors were generous with their suggestions, and provided quite a few useful tips for dealing with a toxic workplace. Scroll down to find their answers below.

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#1

“It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs First thing when you get home, shower and put on different clothes. It draws a firm line between work and home.

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    #2

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I was working at a place like this. Great pay, lots of perks, but very high pressure. I tried a number of different things to take the edge off. Exercise, meditation, nutrition, drinking, drugs, positive self talk, therapy…you name it. The only thing that worked for me was quitting and going into lower stress work. I make less money, but I’m infinitely happier.

    Working at a toxic job is just that. Toxic. You can do anything you want to curb the side effects, but if you drink a glass of poison every day, it’s going to eventually kill you no matter how hard you try and counteract it. Good luck

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did the same. I left a job (where I was miserable) for a lower-paid job. Even with the lower salary, I was much happier. And in the long run, it has been the best of both worlds - I have worked my way up the ladder, and I now earn £12,000 more than my previous (miserable) job.

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    #3

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs All these tips may help a bit for a while but they wear off. It’s my personal belief that you have to change your situation and then change it again until you have peace. We spend waaaay too much time at work to be miserable at it

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    #4

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs About 20 years ago I had a stressful job that required decompression after work. My therapist recommended just taking a walk in the park on the way home. So I started walking about a mile every evening after work. Eventually it turned into a jog, then a run then circuit training. I got into better shape at 30 than I was as a teenager.

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    #5

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Bro I got you. When you realize your pay is not based on your performance and is only based on your presence, it becomes incredibly easy to not give a f**k.

    TheMasterCharles , Brooke Cagle Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While this may be true, I take great pride in doing my job well. I sleep easy at night knowing I’ve put in a good days work. It’s not about the pay for me, it’s about being a good employee and colleague.

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    #6

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs My dad would often open the big trash bin on his way into the house after work and chuck something in there. One day I was outside and watched him but did not see anything in his hands. I asked him what he was throwing away. “I throw all the c**p from work in there so I don’t bring it in the house.” Interesting coping strategy.

    Zzyzx820 , Steve Johnson Report

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    #7

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I chose to leave once I realised my health would never stop deteriorating there. Never regretted it, new job is so much better.

    der_leu_ , Mimi Thian Report

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    #8

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Work your hours and then stop thinking about work. Work time is for work. Your time is for your time. I turn off all emails and teams notifications between 7PM and 7AM. I don't check email on vacation. I also prioritize my work day. What are the most pressing things to get done? I do them all first when I am fresh, then leave the mundane stuff for when the mental fatigue kicks in. Get a hobby or something else you are passionate about.

    YOUgotGRIZZEDon , Thomas Lefebvre Report

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    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    7pm to 7am? Hell, I’d turn them off from 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, and 5pm Friday to 9am Monday. Unless you’re in a life or death kind of job, nothing is so dire that it can’t wait until normal work hours.

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    #9

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Honestly OP, no matter what you do it will eventually catch up to you. So my advice would be look for an alternative while you still have your health. Stress kills… I worked 10-12 hours a day, on call 7 days every other week for over 10 years. Once I hit 45 it became a problem and slowly started pulling me down into anxiety and depression. Don’t burn out mate. It’s not worth the consequences.

    Er0ck77 , christopher lemercier Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So many of these "tips" are very privileged, as if the single mom with 2 abled kids and 1 special needs kid and a crappy breaking-down car can just up and change jobs on a whim.

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    #10

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Make something a routine thing that you do every shift to delineate work life vs home life. Some people mentioned showers, gym, etc... Mine was easy, I crossed a bridge to get home after work. That simple threshold crossing made me leave everything work related behind, on the other side of that bridge.

    In case you don't have time to yourself for the gym or showering, maybe there is a park you can drive past or even better, drive through, on your way home? Or designate a freeway overpass? Something that signifies crossing the threshold between work and personal worlds?

    e11spark , Tim Christopher Klonk Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ride my bike home. Not only is is good exercise but it gives me 25 minutes to leave my s**t behind at work and it's great to come home to a partner and dog who are happy to.see you

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    #11

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I like the change of clothes and shower upon returning from home.
    Go to a sauna and sweat it out.
    Join a gym and stop here on the way home to burn off energy.
    Avoid booze. I wish I did that myself as I abused myself for decades with high stress high alcohol.

    Melodic_Wrap8455 , Nicolas Postiglioni Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man. Alcohol and drugs are either really great or really bad. Great for pleasure, bad for health.

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    #12

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I’d leave. I worked in a toxic environment for two years and toughed it out until the end. It left a lasting impression on my nervous system so I now regret staying

    krysalyss28 , Ben Blennerhassett Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Easier said after you leave. You expend so much energy trying to survive that it is hard to see that you should be getting out instead of working hard to stay in.

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    #13

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs if your commute is long enough you can listen to a podcast on the way home. it gives me a great separation of home and work

    knighthawk0811 , Matthew Michael Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always used to do my venting on the way home. I didn’t carpool, so I could say anything I wanted to, as loud as I wanted to. I usually had it all out of my system by the time I got home, so I didn’t bring the anger and negativity with me when I walked in my house and was with my family.

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    #14

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs One thing that helps me out a lot is to remind myself that my job is to be there and do the best I can to respond to the catastrophe. It's not my job to prevent the catastrophe. Sometimes I can't prevent the catastrophe. Even if everybody around me is freaking out about the catastrophe, and expects me to be the one to fix the catastrophe, and gets mad at me if I can't fix the catastrophe, if I show up, and I do my job, and I make good logical choices, and the catastrophe still happens, I have done my job. That's the best I can do.

    Being able to reconceptualize your role as "showing up and responding to catastrophe for 8 hours, whether or not catastrophe is fixed" leaves you a lot more emotional room to come home and look for the next job without feeling like it's an emergency.

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. I wouldn't call this a catastrophe necessarily but boy did they act like it! Worked for one place and the internet went out one day for the entire day and you'd think the world imploded. People were freaking the hell out. Meltdowns and temper tantrums all over the place. Not me. I kicked back, chilled, and waited because there was nothing else I could do. They got mad because I wasn't freaking out like they were. Wow, sorry I'm not having a heart attack over something as minorly inconveniencing as faulty internet but oh well. They liked to pick their scapegoats too and I was one of them. Just like anything and everything else they blamed me for, somehow it was my fault the internet was out. I wish I could've taken credit for that! That place sucked. I ended up quitting way too many months later. Funny thing. At my job now, we deal with actual catastrophes but if the internet goes out, we all just kick back and chill. So I landed with kindred spirits. That's a win in my book.

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    #15

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Quit. It's not worth your sanity unless you have literally no other options.

    TheClamSauce , Nick Fewings Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As many have said, this is a privilege not all can afford. Still, I affirm the principle

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    #16

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Take regular bathroom breaks as a breather when things get too much. I sometimes use my Fitbit to do some breathing exercises for two minutes.

    Find something relaxing to do when you get home, this can be anything you like doing as long as it's a reward for getting through the day.

    Also just start looking for a new job whenever you have the time. It most likely isn't gonna get better at that job.
    Longer hours or commute may seem like a hurdle right now, but if they're at a place where you're less on edge and more appreciated, they won't be so bad.

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    #17

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Exercise every day after work. Even mild. Get the survival energy out of your body.

    Federal-Load-1769 , Alex McCarthy Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I work from home, and swimming after work everyday helps separate work from home life

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    #18

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Repeat, silently, after me.

    It doesn't matter, if they want it that way it pays the same.

    d4rkh0rs , Igal Ness Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a programmer I've learned not to get emotionally attached to anything I've built (which a lot of programmers fail to do). If it gets canned even before it sees the light of day, no worries. I still got paid to build it

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    #19

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs This seems dumb but there is a little ritual you can do when you come home. My mom taught me this one.

    Take you work shoes off before you get home.

    Seems strange but by just setting it up in your mind that "these are the shoes that I go to work in". Once you take them off, work is complete and you can let go of what occurred and focus on being at home...all because the shoes are off.

    Seems silly but I do it with a hat instead. Once the hat comes off, it's family / home time.

    Give it a shot!

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    #20

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I used to just say to myself in my head, "eh, f**k it dude, if they fire me, I'll just go get a different job". Then go about doing things at my pace. But yeah, that's a tough spot with the commute situation.

    all_circuits_R_fizzy , Corey Agopian Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. I always told myself, “I was looking for a job when I found this one.”

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    #21

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Discipline yourself to have good work bounds. Take your breaks, take lunch, don’t stay late all the time. Try not take things too personally and not equate professional success with your success as a human. It does take discipline but has given me more longevity in my job.

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you have difficulty remembering to take a break (which I do), I'd recommend buying a smart watch. They remind you to get up and move every so often. If you can't afford a smart watch, you could set a repeat alarm on your phone.

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    #22

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs When I was working in a very stressful, toxic workplace, I came across this little nugget in a book, and it changed my life: we tolerate from the world what we believe our worth to be.

    I had every reason to leave but I kept finding excuses to stay. I did all the “tricks” mentioned here. At the end of the day, your mind and body is more important than any excuse you can think of to stay. You are an amazing, unique human that can offer so much value to the world. Do not spend time anywhere and with anyone that dims that light.

    ahthebop , Fuu J Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On this note, however, bear in mind that nothing will ever be perfect. I have two great teams, both headed by idiots. I can manage through the idiots in exchange for working with smart, savvy, funny coworkers. They're worth it.

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    #23

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs A lot of people will essentially recommend “just stop thinking about it”. If you’re anything like me, it’s impossible. I FORCE myself to stop thinking about it with a hobby that requires a s**t ton of focus.

    Heavy lifting and BJJ are my choices. They keep me physically active and healthy too. It’s really hard to think about work when I have a bar on my back that will crush me or when someone is literally trying to choke me out lol

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    #24

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I had an incredibly high stress job, not toxic but the same advice that helped me may help you.

    This job was working with middle schoolers with severe learning and cognitive disabilities, yet kiddos who were given this shot to 'fit in' with society in some way instead of being roped off into separate lives. You have a much better life if you're able to go to Taco Bell and buy your own food you enjoy instead of being reliant on a caretaker to remember you like refried beans, but not black beans.

    Many of the students were unable to communicate in full sentences and were operating as if they were 3~4, but in the body of an eleven year old. This meant temper tantrums that ended with tables flipped over, broken things that don't normally break like shelves, and so on. Some of these students were unable to express frustration, pain, hunger, or anything else and would do so by biting, hitting, screaming, running away, or anything else you expect from a young kid, but again they're now ten.

    I would end the day having cleaned up poop from walls on a ladder, or have my clothing ripped by a student's teeth, or walked over 12 miles in 6 hours following a student, or .... yeah, it was stressful. And I was good at the job so I'd be called in to help with all the difficult situations as well.

    So it sounds like I can empathize with you.

    Here's what helped me out:

    - Find the small things that make you smile.
    - For me it was getting to take a deep breath walking past the cafeteria and smell the fresh tasty treats or getting out of tough physical situations and know I wouldn't need to go to the gym that afternoon
    - Take time each day before and after work to do some ritual that calms you.
    - I would cycle through different show theme songs from shows I enjoy watching after getting to work but before getting out of the car. After work I'd get back in the car and before heading back home take the time to listen to a bit of a comedian sketch. My goal was to have a ritual that segregated work from not-work and those helped.
    - Take time to care for yourself
    - As soon as I walked in the door straight to the shower and a fresh change of clothes. Then take 20 to watch something I was into, rerun or new, before even considering chores and dinner. It matters to take care of yourself both physically and mentally, take time for you.
    - Vent the frustration
    - I joined a facebook group of similar people and would make a post when I was just done and overwhelmed. Not to get responses, as a professional you know what you need to do in your job, but to just get it out there. It took some time to find a group that was appropriate and could give advice (always helpful even if not needed) that none of my co-workers knew about. Sometimes I needed to vent about them and while I wouldn't mind them hearing, I also wasn't talking to them right then for a reason.
    - Finally and most importantly
    - Learn to laugh about the things you can't control.
    - The hardest thing for me but the one that instantly made the stress manageable was learning to shake my head and smile when things went south.

    - - Four of the ten staff on the team are out? Guess the day will feel shorter since we'll be on it all day.
    - - Kiddo has a bathroom accident on the field? I'll get to spend some extra time outside today and get some sun.
    - - Student goes for an impromptu swim in a puddle? Isn't it great how people find joy in the small things, time to call parents for some extra clothes.
    - - Ka boom boom right before dismissal for the day? Unexpected overtime will pay for my fast food on the way home.

    Admittedly this was with a fantastic team so I didn't have many interpersonal stresses so that helped, but even amazing team members can be stressful.

    Take care of yourself

    stemfish , Lesly Juarez Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man, this post was a Rollercoaster. Thanks BP! I hope you are doing good.

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    #25

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Hey! I don’t miss those days.. Tip! Start by setting clear boundaries in availability… even lie and say you are taking classes if need be. (Or actually sign up)

    With the dedicated time off you will *hopefully* start feeling like you can think clearly. It also feels like an “FU” to the establishment… even though asking for 24 hours to yourself shouldn’t have anyone feeling guilty 🙄

    all_kinds_of_no_4me , Headway Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “No” is a complete sentence. So is “I am not available “. Explanations about your personal time are PERSONAL question.

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    #26

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Turn your phone off in the evenings and weekends.

    Avoid alcohol. It just makes it worse.

    That's all I have really. I never conquered my toxic job and it took me 4 years to recover from it.

    Rhopunzel , Sten Ritterfeld Report

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    #27

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I have an iPhone and set up focuses for work and home life. Certain apps get disabled (work apps), certain people get silenced for calls and text convos get hidden. Can be set up based on time or location settings. Has done wonders for me.

    username293739 , Bagus Hernawan Report

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    #28

    One day while at a job like that I just stopped giving a s**t. It became my favorite job afterwards. I had a crazy boss and toxic coworkers but when I stopped caring and pandering to them everything improved. They were still s****y but you know its hard to replace people and when your shackles of fear break you will see theirs.

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pandering to people is a sign to some people that they can take advantage of you or (worse) bully you. I am working to stop being a people-pleaser; and am happy with the results.

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    #29

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs I had a job that fit that exact description in the DC area for 5yrs… f**k it was exhausting. Leaving was painful because the mission was/is important and I was great at the job but getting out was also the best thing that ever happened to me personally and professionally.

    Eyes on the prize… leverage your experience to land a better gig.

    Good luck.

    _Jamwara_ , Ian Schneider Report

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    #30

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Start smoking cigs.

    Just kidding, try to make friends at work. Having coworkers that you can talk, joke around with, share your experiences, etc. They make all the difference. In really difficult jobs, the working groups become tight, and it is like a "family", as much as I hate saying that in a professional setting.

    Active_Warning4455 , nappy Report

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    #31

    I worked an insanely high stress job too. I noticed that the people around me coped with stress in a surprisingly limited number of ways and fell into one of the following categories:

    * heavy drinking
    * chain-smoking
    * stress-eating
    * exercising really hard

    It should come as no surprise that my vote is for hard exercise. I also recommend that you make the time to connect with what you value. Continue to make time for hobbies, family, and friends. Do whatever you loved before you took this job, and remind yourself that you are more than the job.

    By the way: As a result of that job, I have vowed never to drink after a bad day at work (or any kind of bad day). I saw too many people using alcohol to cope with the stress and I became very frightened of becoming one of them.

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    #32

    First off, decide if you are going to leave or not. I am not saying leave now (since its likely you need the paycheck). But get your self ready, resume up to date, start throwing out feelers. Just knowing there is a possible end date helped me a ton. I worked in a place like your talking about. I hated it and I dreaded going to work everyday. The day I knew I couldn't take it and had plans to leave, that alone gave me relief. It wasn't till months later that I found something that worked for me and was able to leave. But it really helps to know you are done putting up with something long term. My other co workers, who were just gonna try to hang in there, dude..... literally grown adults who would break down crying. That just wasn't the life for me.

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    #33

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Find a way to get it out at the end of the day. If you have a friend that you can leave video or voice clips too, like voice message on messenger or the Marco Polo app, it can help you feel like you got that out. If you don't have someone you can do that to just record yourself processing the day and delete all the videos at the end of the week.

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    #34

    I tried almost everything...motivational speeches, gym, healthier eating, hobbies, socializing, nootropics, venting to coworkers, not venting, podcasts, meditation, Feng shui, throwing out s**t, organizing and cleaning obsessively, taking long drives, taking showers(got up to 5xs a day at 1 pt), vitamins, alcohol, creating a stronger alterego, tutorials, lighting candles.

    I was over 200lbs at 1 pt, downing red bull and coffee like an IV drip, bingeating, crying, dissociating and drinking more just to get some sleep.

    Sometimes the only option is to quit. I was in good company as the attrition rate skyrocketed and everyone quit when mgmt blamed us for that too.

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    #35

    “It’s Not My Job To Prevent The Catastrophe”: People Share 30 Tips That Help Them Get Through The Day At Their Toxic Jobs Put boundaries and hold them wherever you can. Remember how people treat you reflects more on them than on you. Get a therapist to help you do these things. Decompress with cardio exercise and rowdy music. Look to the future, push for raises, and have a plan to get out, even if it will take a while. Keep your resume updated just in case a good job shows up. Keep track of your measurable accomplishments in this job so you can put them in your resume. Find purpose and relationships outside of this job.

    ExcellentCookie972 , Priscilla Du Preez Report

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    #36

    When the company I worked at went through a toxic phase, I found watching Office Space to be therapeutic. Seriously.

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    brendanroberts avatar
    Brendan (banned for downvotes)
    Brendan (banned for downvotes)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I agree with this one. The film reminds me that I'm not the only one going through this s**t.

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    #37

    Was in the same situation. Very stressful and no end in sight was unhealthy to say the least. Ended up in a bad downward loop of living for dopamine hits from video games and YouTube then by the time I was exhausted enough to crawl to bed and turn out the lights the brain would chime in with all the things that were still outstanding or needed attention that I hadn’t had time to fix in the day… needless to say surviving on a few hours sleep per night for months and months is not good. don’t be like that

    Most larger companies have an EAP program that includes some free counselling sessions. This can be a good place to start. If not find a counsellor for yourself - your mental health is worth the investment

    Group benefits can include massages (in Canada at least). If you have the benefits, use them

    But ultimately you need to change something - if work won’t change - you have to. There are lots of other opportunities out there and you’ll find them once you switch to the mindset of accepting that you’re leaving.

    Every change I’ve gone through has lead me to bigger and better jobs. Good luck

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    #38

    If your income is based on catastrophe, and it's not exciting, you are on the wrong end of the catastrophe occurrence. It's fundamental dissonance. Baseline perception. All else is good? Really? Nice.

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    #39

    Make sure you get out with a close, trusted friend. And vent as much as you can. When you're tired, start talking it out so you can find a way to cope or overcome. Meet up about once a week, or every other week. Make sure it's someone other than your spouse -- it makes it easier for everyone when multiple people shoulder all of the troubles.

    Be better than me: I stopped before I got let go in December. Things got dark for a while and I was over-focused on trying to find my next gig. I probably would have copied better with everything.

    And for those wondering about me, things are ok again and I'm reconnecting. 😄

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    #40

    I had a similar job experience for multiple years I was the nanny for almost everything in a retail store for electronics (Saturn). I dropped out of college and worked there as a freelancing brand Activator. Every refund was supervised by me because my "coworkers" didn't care. Every It related issue was solved by me, if I wasn't working. I worked 50-60h weeks. Almost Every technical question needed to be answered by me because my coworkers cut-off date for knowledge was like

    Somehow it felt great but slowly and steadily the toxicity out weight the benefits and after a huge argument including covid (ie. The management forbid me to report contacts) I got kicked out.

    I needed to loose my job forcefully to realise how bad it was for me. I got assigned a to a. Ew store in a less toxic environment. However I realised that the job itself was exhausting (dealing with customers, not being able to provide a better shopping experience for customers etc, complete ignorance for trends etc).

    Be smarter than me - just quit.

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    #41

    Get involved in a hobby that engages your brain in a way that is different from work and requires your brain. Welding is a good one.

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