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Original poster

What job can I get with no stress?

45 replies

losenotloose · 13/09/2019 10:03

I'm currently working as a teaching assistant but need to get out. The problem is I'm coming to realise that I dont cope well with stress. I suffer with anxiety anyway and need a job that won't exacerbate that. I haven't got many qualifications but have experience as a ta, receptionist and in customer services.

Any suggestions?
Tia

OP posts:
Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 13:09

Bump please

OP posts:
ShimmeryShiny · 13/09/2019 13:15

How did you find the reception work/customer services? Do you prefer working with people or alone?

GrannySquares · 13/09/2019 13:17

Cleaning! No stress at all. You just get on with it.

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Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 13:20

I actually quite liked and was good at reception/customer services. I'm quite happy to work with people. I'm really suffering with low self esteem at the moment so feel scared I'm not capable of anything.

OP posts:
HollyBollyBooBoo · 13/09/2019 13:22

I can't think of any job that is stress free?

Cleaning - well if you work for a company you're on a time limit, you're responsible for people's house and locking up etc. If you work for yourself there's stress in getting work and not getting paid of you're off sick etc.

Tableclothing · 13/09/2019 13:23

Stress comes in many different forms. A teaching assistant has to deal with many deadlines throughout the day, has to manage kids behaviour, has to deal with parents, had to deal with teachers, usually has several different bosses who can give conflicting instructions, has very little power to decide how they spend their time or what order to do things in. They also get low pay for what is expected of them.

But other jobs are stressful in different ways - obvious ones like firefighter or chair of a FTSE100 company, but even something 'easy' like shelf stacking can be stressful - boredom is a form of stress and can become soul-crushing.

What was it about being a TA that you didn't like, and what were the good things about it? Can you put your finger on anything you felt was 'missing'?

Tableclothing · 13/09/2019 13:27

Also - is it definitely being a TA that's the problem, or is it the school/class that you're in?

LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh · 13/09/2019 13:28

Would it be worth taking a few courses to add to your skills? I'm thinking first aid etc. Presumably you are already cleared for working with children? Maybe daily nannying?

A lot of disabled people need help in the home/companionship/shopping etc. It sounds as if you are good with people, so maybe a caring role?

Definitely second cleaning, it can be a very flexible job too.

evilharpy · 13/09/2019 13:30

How would you feel about having a target or quota? Maybe something like data entry or production line work?

Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 14:11

What I find most difficult about being a ta is behaviour management. I'm not naturally authoritative. The school I'm in never gets agency staff so if your teacher is off sick you end up covering the class. I hate it as I don't have good control of the class and I'm not particularly confident at doing the main teaching.

I just want to minimise stress rather than get rid of it altogether, which I know is unrealistic. I was thinking about trying to get into the school office but someone made a comment about whether I could cope with angry parents and it made me doubt myself.

I know beggars can't be choosers but I wouldn't like to do cleaning. Or working with children for that matter, I only got into it because of the hours!

OP posts:
BillywigSting · 13/09/2019 14:14

I'm a carer and I wouldn't suggest it as a low stress job. It's high stress (maintaining client safety and very tight schedule) and badly paid.

What kind of work have you enjoyed in the past?

ZenNudist · 13/09/2019 14:15

Receptionist is an easy one. Probably best to focus on self esteem issues first.

Why don't you just think about what you would like to do and then go from there and maybe some qualifications to get there.

UBeaut · 13/09/2019 14:17

NHS admin? Least stressful but interesting job I've had.

Tableclothing · 13/09/2019 14:25

What about working with SEN? It is very different to mainstream, can be very rewarding.

Tableclothing · 13/09/2019 14:29

Calming and dealing with one or two angry parents at a time is very different to being expected to control 30+ kids in hooray-teachers-away mode. It's not the same at all. Don't let that put you off.

Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 14:43

I enjoyed working as a receptionist! And nhs admin is something I've been thinking about. I'm planning on doing an IT skills course in November to improve my prospects and confidence.

OP posts:
Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 14:45

Thank you Table I agree. I feel like I could handle parents much better than a whole class of children! Working in an SEN school is something that I've thought about but worry I may not be the right person to deal with severe behaviour problems?

OP posts:
MrsSpenserGregson · 13/09/2019 14:49

Dog walker!

Totally stress-free Grin .. I love it. The dogs are always pleased to see me, don't answer back, and wag their tails constantly for the entire hour that we are together.

Now I'll compare that to my other job which involves facing members of the public and having to say No to them sometimes ... which doesn't always have a happy outcome for me ...

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/09/2019 14:57

I do admin for a small company. It's stress free, although repetitive. I don't deal with customers. Radio on in the office. Lovely.

It's very low paid though so swings and roundabouts. My outgoings are small so it's not an issue for me.

Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 15:05

That sounds perfect Waxon

OP posts:
pottedshrimps · 13/09/2019 15:07

I'm transitioning over to pet care from nursing and it's great, totally love it. You get a good laugh too as animals are such characters. I do dog walking and you get lots of fresh air and exercise as well.

Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 15:08

I love the idea of dog walking but considering I have no experience with dogs I'm probably not the right person!

OP posts:
RoseMartha · 13/09/2019 16:35

Data input and scanning somewhere like a dr surgery or solicitors etc. Where they are inundated with scanning.

It is boring however, I speak from experience, spent three hours of my day scanning and data inputting today.

(And it is not really my job but when it is quiet this task falls to me).

Original poster
losenotloose · 13/09/2019 17:18

I think a gp/dental surgery would be ideal actually. Got to sort out my cv!

OP posts:
bonitakitlee · 13/09/2019 17:32

Gp surgery was the most stressful job I ever had. A librarian is the most stress free looking in from the outside.

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