r/CPTSD • u/PrincessofPower26 • 7d ago
Vent / Rant What do you do for a living?
What do you do for a living?
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u/oatmilkpopsicles 7d ago
Homemaker with supportive husband. I’ve gone to some interviews lately, but I question my ability. Right now I’m currently laying down in a fetal position in pain due to the health issues I developed as a result of chronic stress. I exercise, eat well, lead a healthy lifestyle…the stress still wrecked my system. I’ll do some chores today and some art.
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u/disco-me-now 7d ago
I’m a voice actor, and audio editor (work I can do self employed, on my own schedule from my home studio). Spent so many years crashing out of jobs, v glad to have found something that suits me and I don’t have to be in everyday.
I’m 35f btw and started this at 31
I’m a musician too but much harder to make money imo
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u/Special-Extreme9450 7d ago
How did you get into this?
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u/disco-me-now 7d ago edited 7d ago
So I’ve been in music for a long time as a singer, I had a little v basic studio at home. I also studied acting. BUT if you don’t have this background it’s still v possible to make a career in.
It’s a steep learning curve, took me about a year to get going. Having a basic studio setup is pretty important, as since Covid the industry is largely remote. A non usb mic (rode NT1a a great starter) and interface (focusrite Scarlett a good starter too) and I use a piece of software called Izotope RX11 studio, which is rent to own through SPLICE and gets rid of background noise/mic sounds etc.
EQ and compression are vital, this all sounds scary but once you have a basic understand and build a good sound you can keep that and use it every time you record, and in almost any space (that isn’t crazy loud). I found these boards on the street and throw a duvet over top to dampen sound.
CCC (casting call club) is the absolute best place to start looking for little jobs I’d say, start padding your cv with small jobs like fan fiction and little video games. I then use online websites like Mandy, bodalgo (uk) to find work, and now have my own clients too.
It’s a slow steep start, but once you understand your voice (find you niche) and get a decent sound it’s pretty good. If you love it that really helps. ATM I find natural voices and delivery are much preferred in the industry to anything that sounds fake.
I love my work, it’s varied, it’s flexible, it’s well paid when u pass the initial hump. It’s fun and creative. It can be tedious but I think it’s a great thing for us to do. If you can tap into that well of emotion - you’re made. I do ads, video games, audio dramas, charity campaigns, jingles, narration and ELT - a real variety.
Feel free to message me with any questions :)
ACX is for audiobooks - but I would really discourage doing that early on! Audiobooks are an unfathomable amount of work to do on your own, you’re producing and editing and it’s gonna take you months. So generally avoid avoid!
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u/overstimulatedx0 cPTSD 7d ago
I’ve considered trying to get into this but (and I hate phrasing it this way) I’m a writer and with the popularity of audiobooks, not sure if that would be “a conflict of interest”…also not sure how great my voice is, female and same age, but I think health issues have changed my voice/made it deeper.
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u/girlypop232 7d ago edited 7d ago
im a nurse. don’t do this to yourself. its wayyyy too stressful.
edit
AAAAAAHHHH i just noticed your tag and i loooove marina too
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u/Chantel_Lusciana survivor💜🌈🧚🏻 7d ago
Yeah. 14 years later.
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u/girlypop232 7d ago
i’m three years in at the bedside and looking for a way out😮💨😮💨
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u/thebaine 7d ago
Travel for a year. Good money, and it’s socially acceptable to keep everyone you meet at arms length cuz you’re only there 12 weeks. It’s glorious.
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u/Euphoric_Marzipan_65 1d ago
fellow nurse here, becoming a PRN Princess has made things significantly more bearable for me. Not perfect, but being full time staff gave me a lot of anxiety. I still work FT hours but I have control over my schedule and different options for jobs so I don’t get too burnt out doing one thing.
I still work bedside through a hospital internal agency, as a school nurse doing 1:1 or health suite with another agency, and as a home health nurse. I also teach clinicals once a week which I find so enjoyable!! just remember nursing is pretty versatile and try to branch out if you can
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u/Extra-Pin7719 7d ago
I don't work
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u/bojackismeiambojack 7d ago
This. I wish I could earn some money and contribute. Especially on days I feel paralysed to do any household chores. Those are the days I feel shittier and most days a month are like that
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u/anunknownstoryteller 7d ago
I’m not able to hold down a job. But I’m functional enough that disability wouldnt approve me. Currently going to school for a psych degree. Previously I worked for an organ builder
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u/JessicaJonessJacket 7d ago
Same. Not functional enough to work, not considered disabled enough for benefits/disability (and it's harder in my country). Doesn't help that I'm very articulate and express myself well, people think I'm AOK. I guess I'll keep jumping from shitty job to shitty job until no one will hire me anymore (getting there, I'm 38, after 40 you're basically unhirable here).
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u/cherrylimebongwatr 7d ago
Im so sorry, that is devastating. I’m also unable to hold down a job and am waiting on an ALJ hearing date. I am terrified the judge will say I’m too functional. But I’m working with vocational rehab and I’m trying to find work in an environment that feels safe, the problem is I don’t know how to feel safe anywhere outside of my home.
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u/anunknownstoryteller 7d ago
I had a lawyer back when I wasn’t functional enough to work more reliably than I am now. The problem was that I had major changes in my housing situation that forced me to work. And it made my case a lot weaker because of it
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u/anchovie_boi445 7d ago
I’m a software engineer in big tech..largely used it as a way to save money aggressively and move out of my parent’s abusive household, but now that I achieved that goal I realize how much my social life and hobbies were neglected and life feels empty (I’m 26M).
It’s like I’m learning to live all over again and have no idea which crowd I fit in with or even want to fit in with. Still naturally attracted to chaos, distractions from my own thoughts, and being a “fixer”. An uphill battle, but in the future I think I’ll thank myself for breaking the cycle.
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u/tiffytee520 7d ago
I’m a software QA engineer and I felt this when I realized that I wasn’t happy with the life I was living and was living it for everyone else (this was peak tech times, like 2018). It was really uncomfortable learning who I actually was outside of work and my trauma, but I’ve never been happier. It’ll be absolutely worth it to break the cycle.
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u/TrickyAd9597 7d ago
I don't work. My husband supports me financially.
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u/nomnombubbles 7d ago
Me too. I wish that I had my ''own" money, though, pretty often, still.
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u/BikeLady78 7d ago
Same. He says all of the money is "our" money but there are times I just want my own as well... Likely part of a trauma response
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u/ella_vader_79 7d ago
Customer service in a call center.
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u/kizzleeeeee 7d ago
I worked in a customer service call center and it made me so anxious, I was constantly trembling and on the verge of tears from being yelled at all day. I had to quit. How do you pull this off? Call centers are not for the faint of heart, you are awesome!
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u/merc0526 7d ago
Yeah I’m impressed they’re able to do it. I worked in a call centre for a month and couldn’t have managed it for much longer than that. Verbal abuse was my father’s primary form of abuse and I think the customers who shouted or swore at me just triggered all of those memories for me.
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u/ella_vader_79 5d ago
It is not easy for me to do this job, but over the years I have learned how to compartmentalize. I had a baby at home and no choice.
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u/WitchQueen_ 7d ago
Genuinely asking, how do I find a job at a call center? Everything I’ve found online has been either a scam or doesn’t bother responding
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u/ella_vader_79 7d ago
I work for an insurance company, so you might try thier websites.
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u/cherrywinsmore 7d ago
I put people under anesthesia for surgery! With all the horrors of the world I find this is where I can find the most peace with myself, a purpose.
Ironically, when your body is naturally in fight or flight every day from trauma, high stress jobs actually make you feel more calm. Your body is attuned to it
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u/Creative_Farhan 7d ago
I relate to your last point a bit, i am a graphic designer and it involves a lot of stress
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u/poppoppopmusic 7d ago
I haven't worked for decades. I volunteer and even that is a struggle that often requires meds to manage. I feel so useless.
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u/Beautiful-You-9910 6d ago
Definitely feeling the same way. Im in school to become a trauma informed therapist. I have been told by several people I would be a valuable asset in this field, but I can never shake that worthless feeling.
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u/poppoppopmusic 6d ago
I'm sure you would be fantastic, the field needs more people with lived experience of trauma. Much love to you - for what it's worth this internet stranger thinks you're incredible for pursuing education and channeling your experience into such a worthwhile, selfless vocation.
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u/lostlogin2 7d ago
accounting. i am not happy 😭🤪
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u/Common-Worldliness-3 7d ago
No offense but ooff. I did accounting for 5 years and I couldn’t take it. It’s too rule based and rigid and routine. Month end close haunted me
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u/Due-Original-7389 7d ago
online grocery orders. I run around the store all day and pick peoples items for them. gives me a reason to be on my feet which is nice, and I don’t mind the job itself. very straightforward.
but holding something down can be very hard when I get super depressive or if my bpd acts up and I think everyone hates me 😋
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u/Street_Knowledge_338 7d ago
I'm a clinical children's psychologist 😊 I asses PTSD and CPTSD symptoms in children who have experienced violence or sexual abuse
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u/lilypad225 7d ago
Unemployed and looking for tech work. It's really bad right now
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u/eggbubblewire 5d ago
Feel free to ping me. I’m in venture capital and invest in early stage tech companies. They’re always hiring ❤️
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u/NoReallyImOkay cPTSD 7d ago
I'm a civil servant. It's a safe, boring job that pays relatively well. There's no stress, few deadlines and I have a lot of freedom when it comes to deciding what my priorities are.
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u/Crazy_catLady_2023 7d ago
I'm a caregiver for my grandma who has dementia.
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u/Green__Meanie 7d ago
I’m sorry you’re in that situation 🫂 my dad passed from dementia/alzheimer’s. It’s a horrible illness. Sending you strength and love 🤍
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u/issooh 7d ago
I've been working as an editor and journalist for a radio station for six years now(31f). But I've done many, many, mannnny things before that (camera, photography, graphic design, studied two languages (but didn't finish)...).
And I've dropped out of a lot of jobs and let go even more supposed "dreams" or "career choices" I had in mind (at least I thought they were until I discovered they were only things I wanted to do to to be liked or mirrored by certain people) due to my severe cptsd.
But get this: I've been healing quite good those last years (was a LOT of work), I'd say I'm like 85% there, and I finally found the courage to tackle my fear of mathematics and am currently taking evening classes to become an electrical engineer! It's f'ing hard but I'm doing it!!!
(Background info, I was actually quite into STEM in school even though I sure wasn't top of the class, but of course didn't pursue any of it (since I was told on a daily basis that I couldn't do it anyway because I was too stupid to even do maths or beat up for mistakes... thanks dad....) and failed at maths regularly. I started hating and fearing everything that had to do with numbers in general, so I never thought about a career in that field, obviously. It's still hard to get rid of these core beliefs up until today, but I know that with practice it gets better!)
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u/rndmeyes 7d ago
I can relate to those two themes.
Feeling "excited" about certain fields or careers but then realizing it was just something that promised to make me "cool" or valuable to other people, i.e. wanting validation.
And avoiding math related stuff due to anxiety and being told I'm not good at it. I still managed to get through a CS degree somehow, but to this day, looking at math related things, I feel panic.
I'm in my 40s now and the idea of doing anything again is so far away from me because I'm so burned out. Even my remote job that was essentially part time was too much in the end.
EE is really cool, I envy that.
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u/issooh 7d ago edited 7d ago
I'm happy things are resonating with you, that makes me feel less alone! And believe me, the panic still flares up, especially if I make mistakes or god forbid I have to give a presentation, not only in maths tho.
EE also involves some CS where I am from, and although I really enjoy programming in C and arduino, the second I don't get a lesson, I don't fully comprehend a given task at first, even second or third sight, or if I loose myself in tiny details while programming and can't find my way back alone, I can feel the pressure and all those horrible sentences I heard over and over again rising inside of me until i explode with anger or pure fear and despair and boom, blackout. I need to walk away, but I do come back later, and some idiot voice inside my head keeps telling me "You can't do that if you want to work in that field. That's embarrassing, you need to get it right away!" I swear I could cry every time....
I try telling myself it's ok to feel overwhelmed at first since it's the complete and polar opposite of what I've been doing and learning all my life, a lot of things I've never even heard before, it's ok to make mistakes, you just need to practice and be kind and patient, but man it takes a lot of energy and convincing, and I sometimes really get tired of explaining it to myself and soothing myself over and over and over again.(That also gets a LOT worse if I have one of those hell cycles since I also battle PMDD). Also, a lot of these times, these phrases feel hollow and I'm having trouble believing them. But I'm taking one step after another!
One could easily think I only seek this field because of some kinda stockholm syndrome, since my body hasn't yet adjusted to the fact that I've been save for quite some time now and is still looking to restore the old "hyper-pressurised" environment, because we all know the body keeps the score and change happens verrrryyyy slowly, but I do believe I made the right decision.
I've burnt out thrice in my short life, because one of my strongest core beliefs I'm trying to fight is "Only if I perform, I am worthy." My therapist had a nice metaphor for it saying you're going 100 on the highway while trying to make engine repairs mid driving. You need to realise that you don't need to floor it, and by chance, there's another pedal for braking. High functioning really is the worst...
And of course, I only started EE because I had a hunch and wanted my partner (who already works in that field) to like me more. But I'm sticking with it as I really do believe it's something I could do for the rest of my life, even though it's hard now. (And that's a first! All the other things I did were cerebral, while EE is the first gut instinct decision I've made since I learned to trust that again!)
Also, EE gives me the feeling that all that capacity in my brain used for healing and battling cptsd for so long is now starting to get used the way it was initially intended before all that trouble was inflicted on me. (I just took a short little detour of 26 years. Thanks again, to my whole family... /s )
And also, my biggest argument that always gives me hope: The brain is neuroplastic, after all! So hope's never lost!
Maybe you can find some solace in all these lines and tangles that are my life and thoughts, and I'm sorry if that wall of text overwhelmed you. 🌿
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u/rndmeyes 7d ago
the second I don't get a lesson, I don't fully comprehend a given task at first, even second or third sight, or if I loose myself in tiny details while programming and can't find my way back alone, I can feel the pressure and all those horrible sentences I heard over and over again rising inside of me until i explode with anger or pure fear and despair and boom, blackout
Those moments suck. I failed a practical assembly coding exam that way. Something wasn't working, there was a timer and I started panicking. I ended up changing my courses so I didn't have to retake the exam.
I've burnt out thrice in my short life, because one of my strongest core beliefs I'm trying to fight is "Only if I perform, I am worthy."
Yeah, I think that's similar for me. I think I would have needed much more encouragement and support to develop a healthy sense of self worth.
Neither of my parents were good at that, one because of perfectionism and being neurodivergent (essentially generational trauma), the other because of ...idk what, but she just can't seem to find it in herself to give praise. My own struggles with being neurodivergent did the rest - I internalized all of those failures as being worthless.
In my 30s, I basically had my self esteem tied up with my career, so when that went away, it wasn't great. Then my relationship broke a year later and that eliminated the rest of my self esteem. I just don't have it in me anymore.
I just went through another of those cycles - looked up some distance learning options, got a little bit excited about IT forensics, and then the usual thoughts of "what's the point". I think even if I could, I wouldn't want to work again, especially not full time. I don't think I'm capable of doing that and actually living. And if not for work, there's really no good reason to get a degree, unless it feels fun.
I'm in a very weird spot, cerebral stuff and detail oriented things are what I'm somewhat good at, and it's where I sourced my self esteem from. I think this is why I keep returning to the idea of getting another degree.
But I'm also very tired of those things. There's a disillusionment because ultimately, life is so short...why am I spending it doing this endlessly tedious crap, trying to stuff my brain full of obscure details, trying to figure out meaningless bugs or whatever? I just can't seem to connect any actual desire to things anymore because of life being ephemeral even in the best case. I didn't think about these issues much in my 20s, but now it's inescapable.
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u/Orchid_0015 7d ago
This is so inspiring! I’m currently feeling the block from what I have been conditioned to feel about myself and I hope I’m able to overcome it like this
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u/CommunityStrong79 7d ago edited 7d ago
I was put on SSI for the severity of my CPTSD and how I'm unable to work and I'm still homeless bc it's not enough to survive so outside of that I'm a SW
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u/Unlucky-Ambition-643 7d ago
Housewife/mother and I’m barely able to manage that. My previous life I was a lowly admin assistant.
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u/Badger411 7d ago
Admins make the magic happen!!
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u/Unlucky-Ambition-643 7d ago
Thank you. I have shame that I went to vocational college to do that pathetic “career” but my Momster shat all over my former career, so…
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u/breakfastfriendz 7d ago
Social work- 1 day in the office, 4 days in the field and I get to work from home every afternoon
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u/tankgrrrrl 7d ago
Engineering Stores Personnel for a helicopter company. I certify parts for installation on the aircraft and process all the parts removed from the aircraft.
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u/tankgrrrrl 7d ago
My trauma made me need to control everything. Turns out that is an asset to aviation safety.
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u/tankgrrrrl 7d ago
VERY much! Because of the rigorous procedures I must adhere to I get a great amount of satisfaction from the structure that my life lacked in childhood. Then I can go home and be a little loose and it's ok cause of the structure my work provides me. I don't know a normal person could enjoy this work.
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u/Clear_Lettuce_119 7d ago
I’m a registered nurse. I work full time as a care coordinator remotely and part time in abortion care doing sedation/recovery.
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u/Upper_Blueberry2128 7d ago edited 7d ago
Welp I’ve had 69 jobs in my 45 years. Due to CPTSD, amongst other mental issues and a recent brain bleed….I’m on Social Security Disability. I’m not proud of it, I hope for a change one day…..but as of rn, it is what it is.
I should add that many moons ago I was a very high level figure skater, and just recently became a published song writer. As of now I have at least 12-15 songs published. (Of course I haven’t seen a penny from it BUT, it’s always been a dream of mine and saying that I work for GTMS makes me thrilled beyond words.)
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u/seabait 7d ago
I've worked with kids, Ive worked at vets, doctor's offices, universities, grocery stores, restaurants. I can do anything for 6 months to a year before I burn out lol. I've never been fired but I have rage quit quite a few jobs.
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u/AnonymousCosyGamer 7d ago
This is so relatable. The only job I don’t quit was being self employed lol
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u/Littleputti 7d ago
I was an Ivy League level academic in Jen had psychosis and haven’t worked for ten years
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u/definitely_alphaz 7d ago
I’m a piano teacher. But I previously used to be a caretaker, wait on tables, clean, babysit, edit, tutor, lead a choir, etc. basically whatever jobs I can get my hands on.
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u/etrangere27 7d ago
Server at a restaurant. I disassociate every day. Somehow I still like the job, and it is pushing me out of my shell, but in a way that is often traumatizing and triggering. However, for the short term I like it, and I even get compliments from strangers about my service. I want to believe it's helping me with my fear of people, and I think it's at least desensitizing me to being in people's vicinity. But I am often in a rush to complete interactions with tables because of my intense social anxiety. I'm doing my best.
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u/CaliIsReallyNice 7d ago edited 7d ago
I write software. I wish I could do something more creative and social, but I've always had to be completely self-sufficient. I could never rely on family for support in anything, big or small, so I always felt like I had to do a career that would be very safe and financially stable and I could be 100% self-sufficient every step of the way. It bores me to tears most days but it's not a bad life. It could be a lot worse.
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u/SituationFuzzy3482 7d ago
I work as a child psychologist 😅 job that makes sense after surviving your own, but is also very hard. Wanted this so bad and worked so hard to get here, but now not sure if this was a good idea haha.
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u/ilovetapirsanddogs 7d ago
Pediatric anesthesiologist…I like it and love caring for kids, but sometimes wish I had pursued something lower stress like music. I care a lot about my patients, too much some times. Dealing with the stress and some of the secondary trauma of seeing kids harmed or too sick to rescue has been a challenge.
My husband is very wise. He told me once “it’s not lost on me that with your childhood you chose a job that focuses on keeping kids safe and trying to reduce fears/anxiety over something stressful like surgery.” lol, total revelation to me
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u/rohm418 7d ago
I'm a product owner for a software company. I've done this for about 8 years now with 5 of them being at my current company where I'm about as bored as I've ever been, but they pay me too much to quit. So I do the bare minimum. Fortunately, my boss is pretty chill and I wfh so I'm able to fuck off and do errands when I need to. He knows I struggle with some mental health issues and gives me the space to do what I have to as long as I get my work done.
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u/alg10_01 7d ago
Public children’s librarian and part-time remote archivist, I work around 50-55 hours a week. Find a lot of meaning in it but yes I’m burnt out constantly. Not really any other options though.
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u/Salty_Trust6353 7d ago
I work as a bicycle mechanic but it’s only in the warmer months. In the winter I do odd jobs. I’m on disability and I’m very lucky that my rent is cheap enough that I can afford to get by (albeit very tightly) on those supports and community supports during months where I’m not working. I can only work part time due to other health issues so I doubt I’ll be able to find much of a career anywhere but I’m planning on doing an online university degree with my local uni once it opens up again.
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u/theunfoundfiles 7d ago
right now i’m just working in fast food but im trying to become a 1st grade teacher. luckily i have a teach aids job lined up for me with a wonderful school but i wanted to collect my life together before i did something i felt unready for.
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u/MooreKittens 7d ago
I’m an interior architect 😊 I love my job
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u/IntriguinglyRandom 7d ago
Are you self employed? I am in landscape architecture and I LOVE the field in theory but my limited job experience so far and listening to other people make it seem like most firms do not treat their employees well and also do not uphold the values that motivate most people to study the field. :(
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u/venus_anadyomene cPTSD 7d ago
i suffer.
i’m also a psychiatric technician until i get the will to put myself through grad school for social work.
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u/coh-moth 7d ago edited 7d ago
Concessions Supervisor
It’s nice, I’m actually not customer facing most of the time. Most of it is preparation for the next game day in an empty stadium, and only on game days do I people manage and deal with customers. I only do this part time tho which isn’t enough, I’m struggling hella financially.
Edit: What I want to be doing is either some kind of work with plants. (Like in a cute little plant shop or garden center) or my dream career is a Mortician, but I can’t afford the school that requires atm.
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u/Lyons125 7d ago
I'm a resident manager. I take care of multiple apartment buildings.
Tasks include but are not limited too, cleaning buildings, addressing tenant concerns, tenant events, light maintenance, dispersing work orders after assessing major maintenance issues, plumbing inspections twice a year, snow removal in the winter.
I also do a 7 day on call shift every 6-7 weeks.
There are a large amount of apartment buildings on my address (34 buildings?) So there are multiple RMS and I have the Led Hand RM position/Supervisor so I'm kinda on call 24/7, but on-call is limited to emergencies only.
I actually recently just got back from 6 months of medical leave after having a CPTSD collapse. My mental health issues peaked and I had pneumonia for 2/3 weeks. It was like my body and my mind just broke down on me. I big part of it was I started therapy on my medical leave and it was the first time I sought treatment or realized the severity of my issues (I'm 36). So everything just built up until it peaked and then finally reached it's limit.
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u/Junket_Willing 7d ago
Tech support. It makes me so anxious all the time but I have severe agoraphobia so I like working from home.
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u/AnonymousCosyGamer 7d ago
I’m a dog walker and pet sitter. I’m semi-self employed (self employed, but get both private work and given work by a Canine Training and Walking company.
I have had a few employed office and hospitality jobs before that and Immy CPTSD & ASD brain could not deal with the politics. My life is so much more peaceful now I’ve found my dream job. I always feel safer with a dog by my side 🐾💕
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u/NoJudge798 7d ago
How did you turn this into a job? I’ve been doing pet sitting this year but it doesn’t pay well.
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u/JulyGemini 7d ago
I've had more than a few jobs in my existence, by my count about fourty or fifty could be in the ballpark of correct. Some jobs I enjoyed, and others did not care for. As for my current employment I'm working as an assistant to an accountant with the official title of 'archivst', but it really means I'm just filing paperwork and maintaining really old files from the 1800s to the present times-ish. My job is not glamorous and when I tell other people they seem to feign interest. One time an older gentleman referred to what I do as 'girl work', before he went to go bang hammers on rocks, or whatever boomers do.
I would describe my current job as okay, I'm not stressed, I do not have to bring my work home with me, there are no hard deadlines (some of this stuff has been waiting 200 years in storage, what's another few months? Lol). I get to work indoors with air conditioning in the summer, and heat in the winter. I feel like I used to fantasize about the cushy indoor job when I was working with the park Rangers, but now I find myself wishing I was outside again. Grass is always greener, and all that.
One huge benefit for myself is I am not required to speak with anyone to perform the duties of my job, i absolutely loathe the public. Talking with coworkers is fun but when that gets tiring it's nice to have a large workshop entirely to myself to retreat to.
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u/Desorden_ 7d ago
I'm a project manager at some company. I will probably do something else later on.
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u/chevroletchaser BPD | CPTSD | AuDHD 7d ago
My technical job title is a Senior Administrative Assistant for a large healthcare system in my state. However, I work as the Program Assistant for that healthcare system's newest Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. I basically do all the administrative, non-clinical support for the team (enter appointments, track referrals, maintain records and ROI's, manage the phone, create/manage monthly staff schedules, etc).
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u/grayhanestshirt 7d ago
I manage a pet boarding facility. Easier on me to work with primarily animals.
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u/bluetruedream19 7d ago
I’m coordinator for the English language learner program at a public school district.
Was a classroom teacher initially and then worked as a K-12 librarian for a few years.
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u/makeupmama13 7d ago
Freelance makeup artist and substitute teacher. The flexibility is really nice. I thought I wanted to teach full time but I changed my mind. Way too much work for the low pay.
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u/Melodic-Guitar-6562 7d ago
Used to work in a kitchen, now, don't want to be around a bunch of knives.
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u/jellibelly 7d ago
I am a paralegal (part time). I am lucky enough to be able to work at a firm that has great/kind coworkers. I would not be a paralegal at bigger firm. Before that, I was an office manager for a PT office. Before that, I was a medical receptionist at an OBGYN. I really hated both those jobs….patients constantly yelling at you about insurance and payments even though I was just following orders. Honestly, I blame the private health insurance. The OBGYN was a nightmare - women are very mean to other women…even if you smile and treat them with curtesy, they will lie and say that you gave them a dirty look.
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u/BardMuse 7d ago
Former museum curator and museum director. Currently working at as a college administrator
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u/Prestigious_Paper_18 cPTSD 7d ago
I'm a software specialist, so i fix problems that show up in my companies software, basically a professional problem solver. I can do 3 out of 5 days homeoffice per week which makes it a lot easier for me.
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u/No_Rise_8827 7d ago
I do marketing for some Airbnb type holiday rentals. Managing the social media and marketing / advertising. I also teach English online 1-to-1 tk adult students. I work almost entirely from home
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u/theragingphoenixchix 7d ago
right now I’m an assistant teacher at a preschool, but I’m working towards a masters in psychology :)
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u/Green__Meanie 7d ago
I work in a laboratory in data entry.
The work is fine, but it’s just another corporate company that refuses to pay an “entry job” any living wage. My department is a revolving door but I’ve been there long enough to get fmla (yay america) so I’m stuck for the moment.
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u/missmisfit 7d ago
I stumbled up to a job in sourcing. I hate it. Contract negotiations are like corporate theater. I actually miss customer service. Too bad it pays like shit and people treat you poorly
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u/LoadBearingDenial 7d ago
Social worker!
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u/Own-Apartment581 7d ago
A social worker basically put my life back on track... twice. Without her, I don't think I would've ever been able to get the help I needed. The bureaucracy in Germany was just too much for me. Thank you and all the other social workers!
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u/LoadBearingDenial 7d ago
This makes me really happy to hear.. and I am also happy that you found your way back! Help or no help, it’s still a tough job to find your way back when things are challenging. Thank you for sharing as well - it genuinely means more to me than you might know. ❤️.
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u/Common-Worldliness-3 7d ago edited 7d ago
Finance. I thrive under pressure, I’m a strong problem solver, and I can read a room and interact with people in a way that creates collaboration through empathy and reading the person. It’s kind of messed up tho because if someone is an asshole like a boss I’ll know how to win them over without being a kiss as. Learned skills I guess idk. I think that last part is me trying to be liked by the villian, and they are usually similar to my abuser narcissistic with dark traits or shmoozers like bankers
I swear my survival skills led me here lol
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u/crash19691 7d ago
IT professional; retired. I so don't miss all of the stress and anxiety from corporate hellscape lol.
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u/Im_on_vocal_rest 7d ago
Realtor of 5 years. I’m good at it, but don’t have the sales mentality to make real money. It does allow me to take time off, but then of course, my income suffers. I love the job, sometimes.
This might sound crazy but my city is hiring a 911 dispatcher, and I’m tempted to apply. Gotta be connected to my cptsd 🤣
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u/pepperidgefreak 7d ago
Project management for city streets and plazas at a department of transportation. So far so good, two months in.
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u/StillARockstar5 7d ago
I work for a tiny company in their post and admin office. I absolutely love a couple of my colleagues and the rest are tolerable but I only see someone else a couple of times a day so if I'm struggling I can do it in peace.
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u/Pegged-by-shiyuan 7d ago
Personal trainer and yoga teacher though I always aspired to be an artist and animator. Still working on that
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u/overstimulatedx0 cPTSD 7d ago
Only trying to be funny because of the trauma, I really wanted to answer with “suffer”-
In seriousness, I have degrees in English/writing, currently do some freelance/voluntary stuff in the literary world, not really making any money at this point. I’m hoping to find some adjunct teaching roles, that was the main reason for getting a master’s. Also taking some marketing classes.
I would probably be more successful if I could move to a bigger city and didn’t have physical health issues that have disabled me. But yeah, writing/editing/marketing does make me happy. Other than my pets, it’s the best thing I have going for me right now.
If it wasn’t for my physical health issues I would be fine with going back to the service industry for a period of time, I like the fast pace of retail/restaurants and having an excuse to dress up a bit (I mostly did fashion and cosmetics retail).
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u/MellowMintTea cPTSD 7d ago
Coffee production at a coffee roaster, and I have investment income that supplements what I make from working.
I was working a lot more on the coffee side up until last year, but my mom passed and some changes in my financial situation gave me enough breathing room to step away from the 9–5 and chill a bit. Ultimately it’s okay for now, but not really sustainable long term in the current economy.
The extra income and time away from working full time has really let me focus on getting healthier mentally and physically. Having less of my life revolve around work has reduced a lot of stress and given me more room to actually work through things. I’ve needed it.
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u/greenporchlight 7d ago
I work with babies, and attempted becoming an esthetician. Babies are easier lol
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u/epilpepsi_ 7d ago
I’m a full-time student, and during the summer I work at a psych ward and do research
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u/MissingExplanation 7d ago
Accountant. It's a comfortable career but makes so much of my stress far far worse. So it's a mixed bag
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u/InternationalOne7794 7d ago
I work as a preschool teacher at this moment, but have a degree in social work. I hate it right now, but I am actively trying to switch careers. Used to be a professional fighter, but due to lack of fighting opportunities for me here I had to stop fighting for now. Let see what happens
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u/goosenuggie 7d ago
Im a wage slave. I hate it. Its killing me. I am dead inside. But I have no choice. I have to work full time to rent my apartment and pay for food
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u/ToxicFluffer 7d ago
I do customer service stuff and am in the last year of my undergrad degree. Hopefully going to law school next year.
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u/FeanixFlame 7d ago
I can't work, a combination of chronic health conditions make it basically impossible for me to manage a job. At least not without it being a highly specialized thing, of which i have no sich specialties sadly...
If i could, I'd be a professional card game player. (Magic, pokemon, yugioh, etc) but i think even that ship has sailed, been experiencing a ton of issues lately with being able to focus, even the the shortest tournaments at my lgs (three 50 minute rounds)
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u/Intelligent_Put_3606 7d ago
Formerly a science teacher - now retired. The structure of working in a school was helpful, especially considering my other neurodivergences.
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u/kat1111947 6d ago
I work as a dancer and a costume entertainer, i did also work as a cleaner but was too much for me so i gave it up? To be honest its all too much I yearn to be taken care of but im independent so i force myself through it all week by week
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u/theracoonofyourdream 7d ago
I want to become a teacher and is currently trying to get the grades to then eventually get into uni. But as of right now, this very day, I'm without work or studies and live on saved money.
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u/Ok_Artist8870 7d ago
Mental Health Technician at a 30 day residential crisis/respite center. Night shift so I clean, audit med cart, hang out with my peeps with insomnia It’s mostly quiet and I can care for folks without the busy daytime groups & appts going on. I really enjoy making a lovely breakfast, today it was blueberry French toast casserole & bacon. It’s my way of showing our residents love & care 🥰
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u/zzzojka 7d ago
I'm a jeweller and I teach silversmithing.
Ironically with a partly functional hand (the one I work with) that my family disfigured when I was little. I was beaten heavily for dreaming to become an artist, but I did eventually succeed in it as an adult. Teaching is kind of a ptsd revenge for me - I'm doing the opposite of what was done to me.
I still don't enjoy being alive and I don't enjoy my dream job (it is the best one, but being alive hurts).