To wish there was a helpline for first world problems

[PrincessTuna]

Or is that what talk radio is for?

I have work angst and nobody to vent to. I've texted my mum who just replied with a sad face emoji. This is the main downside of being a single parent, no partner for boring non-essential moans.

I'll have to try mindfulness or something. My anxious thoughts are spoiling my downtime.

Wishes granted here.

God don't you just hate it when you text a long rant to your mum and she replies with an emoji!

Moan away on here ..a problem shared and all that.

Can I give you a bell @MyOctopusFeature? You just need to tut and say "ah-ha" and "what a dick" every now and then

I am pretty sure that mumsnet is in fact that helpline for first world problems.

My boss is smiley and nice to my face. Then does ridiculous things that undermine me and leave me feeling totally inadequate. I spend my evenings worrying and having imaginary conversations to resolve the issue. I just want someone to fix it for me

Post it here and people will listen and make helpful suggestions.

I'm good at fixing dickheads!

Yes @scully29 I've definitely vented lots on here, but I think I need a next level vent - yakking on to a listening person.

Maybe I should invest in a therapist.

Your boss sounds like a total dickhead. Do you think it's an ego trip thing? Putting people down just to feel superior, drunk on the power of being a boss? It usually is.

He is new and thinks we are all morons and that he can ride in on his white horse and fix it all. But I have twice the workload I can deliver, then his "fix" gives me another load of work, then he nods when I tell him this...then he asks someone to give me some more work. And I have been working out what is the lowest salary I can live on so that I can quit and take the first job I can find.

But I used to love my job and it's such a shame. Waaaah.

This definitely is a great idea for a MN thread. A first world problems vent thread.

You can always rant at me!

Well it sounds really shit Op. You can only do what you can do. Don't tie yourself in knots trying to get an impossible amount of work done. I've had bosses like that and whenever you go over and above to deliver, they just pile more on.

For general ranting about first world problems, I generally find friends more helpful than family

For advice about unreasonable bosses, I have seen people offer really good advice on here. People are v generous with their time

@scully29

I am pretty sure that mumsnet is in fact that helpline for first world problems.

Exactly what I clicked on this thread to say.

You need a “Wilson” like Tom Hanks had in Castaway. Some inanimate object you draw a face on and rant away to.

@MadMadMadamMim

Post it here and people will listen and make helpful suggestions.

I'm good at fixing dickheads!

I'm good at fixing dickheads!

This would be a fab advertising slogan for a virtual assistant!

@PrincessTuna

Yes *@scully29* I've definitely vented lots on here, but I think I need a next level vent - yakking on to a listening person.

Maybe I should invest in a therapist.

Samaritans.

@scully29

I am pretty sure that mumsnet is in fact that helpline for first world problems.

I so wish there was a like button!

Have you tried consistently asking him what he would like you to prioritise if he gives you more than you have time for? So if he says "Princess Tuna can you get me a report on the thingy widget by Friday" tell him sure thing, but you've also got X, Y and Z on your to do list and there's not enough time available to do them all so which would he like you to prioritise? And rinse and repeat. I find it suprisingly effective

I have a friend who is a brilliant listener. But I feel like I risk draining her if I go on too much. Plus with covid we havent really met up and I think talking is better than typing in these situations.

Thanks @SmileyClare you sound like a good listener.

I think Samaritans is maybe too much and a Wilson style friend too little - I need something in the middle of these options.

That's an excellent mantra squee

@PrincessTuna

He is new and thinks we are all morons and that he can ride in on his white horse and fix it all. But I have twice the workload I can deliver, then his "fix" gives me another load of work, then he nods when I tell him this...then he asks someone to give me some more work. And I have been working out what is the lowest salary I can live on so that I can quit and take the first job I can find.

But I used to love my job and it's such a shame. Waaaah.

Ugh.

Fuckssake.

🙄

Honestly, what a total bellend.

Any better? You have to imagine it interspersed with what you were saying, obviously

Maybe a dartboard with a picture of your boss's face on it might help. I get what you mean though, sometimes you just need to say all your woes out loud to someone.

I'm sure you're not the only staff member where you are who hates the new boss. Can you attempt a conciliatory eye roll at a colleague when he's doing his knight on a white horse thing.

I'm trying to find an approach that works with him @squee123. I've taken the direct approach and asked for a meeting with him next week and listed what I'm finding "challenging". Then promptly turned off my devices and trying not to obsess about it and plan my script - and failing. I'm off tomorrow so I have a long weekend to try to shake it off...

I dont think he is trying to stress me, I think he will want to fix it.

I hate any type of confrontation and worry about getting my approach right, I dont want to be emotional and I dont want to seem angry. Awkward.