Horrendous Anxiety

[Ellie188]

Sorry this is probably going to be a long post!
I started a new job on Tuesday.
finished my previous job on Friday last week and was dealing with loads of anxiety with that because I had no time to handover to anybody as they didn’t find anybody in time (finding my replacement was pretty much all left to me, and I then didn’t have much time to document much of a handover).

over the BH weekend I was a state, anxious, on edge, constant ruminating and overthinking, haven’t eaten properly for a week or so because of it.
I started my job and I feel in such an anxious state that I can’t concentrate properly.
I am quite a reserved, shy person when I meet new people or start something new but I am very good at hiding that so in interviews I come across very confident. I am now worrying that I’m not good enough for the role, that after 3 days I should know and be able to do tasks and things without needing loads of help. My new boss seemed to give the impression that I should be getting on with stuff, and that it’s not difficult etc, but I don’t know the systems, processes or people yet obviously so I am confused but worried I have missed something and am just incompetent.
It’s quite different to what I have been doing for the last 7/8 years, same sort of field but completely different in terms of day to day. Great opportunity but complete imposter syndrome is kicking in. Help :(

*that after 3 days I should know and be able to do tasks what?! No! Unless it is an incredibly simple job then this is completely unreasonable. You need to lower your standards way way down.

Depending on the complexity of the job it usually takes about a month to know what you are doing and about 3 to 4 months to really fly.

These feelings you are having are very normal. Just take notes and ask as many questions as you can.

Don’t guess what the new manager is thinking either because you are bound to come up with the worse case scanrio. If you are curious, ask them.

It’s not an incredibly simple job, the tasks I need to start with are not difficult to do once I know all the systems and processes, but I obviously don’t yet and am still in that ‘I have no idea what’s going on’ phase.
I put so much pressure on myself and just assume I can’t do it and feel like everyone thinks I am a complete idiot.

I appreciate your response, I need to hear some rational words!

Yes you are in a phase that will soon pass when you start getting these new processes under your belt. Congratulations on your new job and best of luck!