My colleague is constantly venting to me at work and I’m getting drained.

[HernanBrooke]

I’m hoping someone here might relate to this because I’m honestly stuck. At work, there’s a colleague I get along with fine, but lately she’s started using me as her go-to person for every frustration she has. And I mean everything. Slow emails, annoying clients, her partner not helping enough at home, her cat waking her up at 5am… it’s nonstop.
I get that everyone needs to vent and I don’t mind it now and then, but it’s reached a point where the moment she walks over, I already feel my shoulders tense. It’s like I’ve become her emotional dumping ground. The weird thing is we’re not even close outside of work, so I have no idea why I’m the chosen one.
I’ve tried giving short answers or pretending to be busy, but she either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care. And I really don’t want to create tension because our team is small and things can get awkward fast.
I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, but I also can’t keep absorbing all this negativity every day.

‘Sounds like you’re having a hard time of it these days, Sandra. Life is clearly getting on top of you. Have you thought of seeking counselling so you can get some support?’

I appreciate the concern, but I don’t think I’m at the point of needing counselling. I’m just feeling stretched and trying to figure out how to handle things a bit better day to day. It’s helpful just hearing how others deal with this kind of situation, so I’m really just looking for practical perspectives rather than professional support right now.

Op you misunderstood, Maya was giving you a response you can give to moany colleague

PP is advising you what to say to your colleague. Shes not telling you to get counselling.

No tell the colleague they need counselling not you

Buy some large, noise cancelling headphones that scream “eff off I’m working!” Tell her you got them for Christmas to stop you getting distracted. Put a sign on your desk to say only disturb if urgent.

God I was moaning to a colleague about an early cat wake up last week. Hope I'm not Sandra!

I had a colleague like this roo OP. She was absolutely draining. In the end I just said to her that I suffer with my mental health quietly and keep it to myself which I do but that her constant offloading was actually making me ill. I told her it had to stop.
She hasn't spoken to me since which is great.
There are occasions where you just need to tell it how it is or you will be sucked dry by these emotional vampires.

Ahh got it — sorry, I completely misunderstood what you meant there.

Honestly fair play for being so direct. I don’t think everyone realises how draining constant offloading can be until it starts affecting your own wellbeing.

You must have been confused why she was calling you Sandra

🤔

😂