Opinions please. Do I jack this in or stick at it

[Shytalker]

So earlier this year I booked a 4 day course. I’m now 2 days in. It’s a kind of vocational course but draws heavily on mindfulness /communication/ psychotherapy type stuff.

But… basically, I hate it. It’s way out of my comfort zone, the exercises are excruciating (to me) with lots of sharing, standing up talking about our feelings, and and the other participants all know each other so I feel the odd one out. The others are all really into it which makes me feel even more of a fraud. I’ve spent most of today feeling massively uncomfortable and just thinking ‘when will this end’.

I don’t want to go back tomorrow! The dread is real. But I’ve invested my own time and money and it feels massively wimpish to bow out.

What would you do?

Is the leader approachable could you have a quiet word first thing and explain you are feeling uncomfortable and see if they can support in anyway?

I would be tempted to not go in myself.

Sounds hideous to me too! I'd be inclined to stick it out for the sake of 2 days but it depends entirely on why you enrolled in the first place. Hobby, something of interest, just curious? I'd quit now as you've realised it's not for you. If it's a certification and something you want to explore using in your working life then I'd suck it up, give it my best shot and just get through the next 48 hours.

I'd do it. Even excruciating experiences are learning experiences and you only live once. Watch what others are taking from it. Imagine you're writing a book on a bizarre situation if it helps.

Then again, I may have a different outlook as for me repetition and boredom is painful and change is interesting. I love working out the psychology of what makes other people like the things they like. Try to work out what they're seeing.

If you do it (well done you &) please update on here how it goes. If it's bad blame me & those who encourage you here!

I'm a quitter. Life's too short. Sounds horrendous!

I would speak to the leader and say you need to share slightly less and take a quieter role in order to be able to learn.

Also in the sharing sessions don't share anything that feels too personal - if necessary make something up to allow you to do the exercise without actually revealing much.

You don't have to enjoy it, but if the course will be useful for your CV I'd try to complete it.

I agree with Enko’s suggestion. You’re understandably feeling uncomfortable if other people on the course know each other. I’ve been in similar situations where I’ve been the odd one out and you feel like you’re intruding.
I think it’s worth giving them some feedback whatever you do.

Out of interest when you researched the course was it made obvious what the course would entail? Again, not a bad idea to give feedback if not. Not everyone is comfortable standing up in a room of people and talking. In fact a lot of people get very little out of experiences like that. The people/company running the course should be mindful about different learning styles.

I guess if you would prefer to not attend the next 2 days having paid out of your own pocket, that’s an obvious option. You don’t have to answer to anyone, which is great.
Look at it this way it’s comparable to plenty of other things you spend money on and find out it’s not lived up to expectation. Could you explore partial refund options?

If just for fun, not career, I'd walk.

Thanks both. It won’t be easy to talk to the organisers although I’d like to. I think I’ll have to go otherwise a) I’ll feel a bit crap about it and b) the door will be firmly closed on any possibility of pursuing it in the future. Originally thinking sideline/side income but it’s kind of crushed my confidence.

Can you say what the subject is?

Ah, more replies, thank you. I think I want to be you SpringSephora I love that 😁

I agree that feedback should be given, I think it’s unfair that 4 out of the six participants know each other and everyone else has much more experience than me in the subject. I don’t think this was made clear beforehand. Problem is, everyone else is so bloody mindful/grateful/caring and sharing that any negative feedback from me is going to sound like a bomb going off. I feel incredibly awkward and like I’ve just made a really dud choice. I’m in my 50s, I don’t think I should be making these errors of judgement ☹️