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Starting my Sprinternship on Monday. Any advice?
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Hi! I’m really sorry you’re feeling so low. I can tell you that you’re absolutely not useless and that feelings like these don’t last forever! You have to work at feeling better and asking for advice here with folks who undoubtedly have some great tips is a great way to start taking control of your happiness back.
First, assuming you’re at an agency, check to see if you have something called the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a benefit because it’s a way to get virtual counseling sessions. I’m sure others will post great tele-health counselor sources as well. It’s great and anonymous.
Other things to do in the meantime:
- prioritize sleep (8 hours+) and get yourself on a daily schedule/ routine.
- start journaling. I journal (or digital journal on Google docs) to help get through feelings and when I write stuff down I never really feel like I need to revisit them or pine on the feelings because I’ve documented them and can move on
- volunteer in any way, whether picking up trash on your walk or something more formal. It helps remind me that I’m not useless, I can help people, I can make the world better with my time in the tiniest of ways
- go for daily walks. I go during lunch if I can. 30 minutes. Or just get outside if you can and get moving. My apartment can be confining and dark so I open windows while I can and keep lots of light in
- set a goal for yourself so each day you feel progress. A 100 day challenge. Or learn on Duolingo. Or stretching each day. When I see progress on something not work related, I remember that I’m more than a job and have the ability to learn and grow. Could also be a physical goal, like run a 5k.
- reach out to a close friend or family member and let them know to check in on you if you’re comfortable. Or throw out some texts to re-establish friendships that may have been put on hold a bit during the pandemic.
- prioritize good food. Buy a cook book. Doubles as a goal to complete recipes, but also switching to a healthier diet can remind you how energized your body can feel if you take care of it nutritionally.
Feeling low isn’t forever, I promise!! You will feel good again. I hope soon!!
This response is so thoughtful and awesome. Genuine advice. Good to see in the ad community.
Chief
VMLY&R: Such a thoughtful, comprehensive answer! You must be a good friend to have IRL. 💜
Chief
And modest too! 🥰
Rising Star
We are living through a truly insane time. I don’t know anyone who isn’t struggling. Something simple I’ve found helpful are walks. I go for 3 a day - morning, lunchtime and evening. I’ll listen to music or podcasts, but nothing political or news based.
Journal. During all of this you have got to have a safe and open and no-consequence way to get your thoughts out
It’s a great stepping stone to therapy
Make sure you’re getting sunlight and fresh air as early in the day as possible. Set a reminder on your phone if you have to
Speaking of the phone — HIGHLY recommend a temporary social apps purge. A week or two. Give yourself time to feel, and to not be intruded on. See what bubbles to the top in terms of feelings and priorities in the new free time
You've had some great advice. Therapy is a game changer so make sure you take advantage of that however you can. I've found schema therapy particularly helpful but we're all different.
I've often found myself feeling useless, and one mindset trick I've found is to just accept that I am useless at many things.
I feel like we live in a society where people are encouraged to have delusional self belief, and if you're an intelligent person you know that it just doesn't wash.
For me, I think it's much better to just accept that I'm not good at everything. I'm trying to get better, but ultimately there are a ton of things I suck at, both professionally and personally. That doesn't mean I suck as a human being, and it doesn't mean I'm not worthy of love.
It usually passes. Get some rest, eat some fruits and veggies, stay hydrated. A few drinks or edibles. And just power through it.
You'll go through phases, just keep your eyes on the prize.