Mental Health

unmitigatedbadassery

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but it's as good as any.

Let me start by saying that, overall, I love my job. However, I can't stand working with my bosses wife (who is technically the owner). She complains non-stop and it drives me nuts. The past couple weeks she has been making it a point to be here every day, all day. Over that time I have legitimately felt my mood change and I just hate everyone I come into contact with for about an hour after I leave work.

In addition to physical health, I believe mental health is just as important. I have been feeling awesome over the past couple of months as I lose weight and become more active but I feel like this is hurting me.

Does anyone have any suggestions (real suggestions) that might help? Please don't tell me to find another job - if I could, I would.

Thanks!

juliapurpletoes

hi :0)

Yeah - mental health is what it is all about most days in my world. For situations like yours, my thoughts are to use it as a source to find your inner grace.....You know Grace Under Pressure.

I've worked with ALOT of crummy bosses and their wives...and in the end useing to to strengthen YOU is what it is all about!

Beehiveof8

It is hard to know what to say with what little info you have provided. Even if you "could" quit your job I wouldn't recommend it. Not over that.

Cranky, complaining people are in EVERY job. Here is what I suggest:

Don't enpower her by letting her affect your mood.

Maybe you could interject some positive comments if she is complaining directly to you? Like if she says, "This computer system is awful" you could say something "Yes, but it does make the job easier!" Or "Maybe, but I'm glad we don't have to do it all by hand" or something. My defense in such situations is to add a little humor if appropriate. Sometimes joking around, especially in the workplace isn't appropriate. However a positive attitude is always good, IMO.

I know people like that, and have allowed them to ruin my outlook. It is a waste of time and energy. Just focus on the good stuff, and let it go off your back like water off a duck. Easier said than done, I know, but worth the effort. Good luck!

unmitigatedbadassery

I guess I should have offered a little more info about what bugs me.

For starters, it's not just the complaining... I complain - we all do. It's the Comments about 'hoping people die' when finding out they have cancer or relentlessly reminding her 'husband' that his sick father isn't going to leave the hospital alive. She is what some people would call an 'energy vampire' - she takes any and all positive vibe and darkens it just by being present.

I don't LET her lower my mood. I honestly think she needs to be heavily medicated (coming from me that's serious as I hate meds) but damn.

OSC_ESD

~ Look at it from this point of view ... your being paid to be there, right ? Ok ... You have a choice to hear her words and not really be listening to them ... it becomes chatter, white noise if you will. I work for the most negative person imaginable, where no matter what you do is NEVER enough. She constantly brings the moral down and affects the entire staff. But guess what ... she makes me more positive ! I have found that if I look at her negative energy and turn it into positive reinforcement for myself ... it's a win win ! Allowing people to bring us down mentally, is no different than allowing somebody to give you drugs ! For the hours we have to be around such toxic waste gives us the opportunity to work on our personal skills. We can ultimately change our perception and understand that this person is the example of what we will NEVER be ! Consider it a gentle reminder of how important your attitude is ... I won't say suck it up, I will only say ... let it roll right off your shoulders !

Your in such a GREAT place right now Aaron ... Don't let anybody bring you down !