Phone phobia

[Easterchick123]

I absolutely hate speaking on the phone. Even ringing for a hair appointment makes me a bit anxious.

The main issue with this is answering a phone in part of my job. We do a day on the phones twice a week. I absolutely dread it. I am so happy when it's over for the week, even though I know I'll be back on it the week after!

I think the nature of my work makes the calls unpredictable & sometimes people can be angry/in a hurry. I find small talk on the phone so awkward. I literally stutter and stumble over my words. I've been like this forever and done my job for 15 years! I'm shy in person anyway but this is unbearable now.

What can I do go get past it?

You need to change your mindset and pretend that you love it and it's your favourite day of the week. Keep telling yourself over and over how much you love it and how great it is talking to all the different people. Fake it til you make it basically and if you keep telling yourself that then you will eventually start to enjoy it and wonder what you were worried about before.

@ilovegoatscheese is spot on. Because you developed a dread of talking on the phone your subconscious mind will try and keep you 'safe' and away from this activity by stirring up feelings of anxiety or even fear; even though you know logically it is not a dangerous situation.

If you can't (yet) fake it you could use your rational mind to accept that nothing dreadful is going to happen and that "nothing matters and no one cares" - a realisation that this particular activity is not life-changing and that the people you talk to won't remember what you said in a week's time, or even a day.

Thank you both for your very helpful replies.

I've actually never ever thought to do this and change the way I see/think about it

I only ever see advice saying the more you do it the better it'll become and that isn't working.

Will definitely be giving it a go!

Go for it. Remember you can't think two things at the same time so keep repeating over and over how much you love it. It works, I've been there with other things.