in a few weeks i will be increasing my hours to full time. it was my choice because i wanted to work in a different area and there will be an additional benfit too. i am just worried that i wont be able to keep up with life.
i have been working part time for the past 3 years, and the past year ive been in the same area. however i have been getting so understimulated since there is no one else around and its been hard to stay motivated. i think it has been making me feel stressed? this new section i will be moving too will definitely have a lot more background stimulation and i am honestly excited about the change. its also brand new, just constructed, so that is also exciting.
i am nearly working full time hours anyway, so i know it realistically won’t be that much of a difference. but i am scared that the hours will make me feel more mentally drained. ADD already makes life so difficult and tiring.
idk this makes me feel so silly 😭
I have ADHD and work overtime a lot. Personally I don’t mind. I’m actually more calm at work. This is what I have to do, and I’m going to do that. At home, almost everything is optional. Options are what stress me out because I can put it off. You’ll be ok. Change can be scary but this sounds like a pretty small change, and a positive one at that.
Hey Emma, first of all, congratulations! It sounds like you’re doing great things at your job so don’t downplay that promotion you just got. It’s valid that you’re a bit stressed, feeling a bit anxious, maybe even feeling imposter syndrome. That’s completely normal, but I have no doubt you’re going to knock it out of the park. Just take it day by day, one breath at a time, and pretty soon you’re going to be looking for an even bigger challenge. I want you to know that I’m so very proud of you kiddo.
This is so true. Also, young cousin, a typical benefit that I know people miss when going full time. If your job offers a 401k with a company match, make sure you put in at least the minimum required to get the full company match, otherwise it’s just free money you’re missing out on. As you get to be older, you’ll appreciate younger you for doing that.
Some other advice regarding 401ks (this is just my two cents). Go for funds with low expense ratios. Typically these are index funds which are great since they are quite diverse (s&p 500 is always a good choice imo). A target retirement fund is also a good idea as they switch investments to less fluctuating investments the closer the target retirement year is.
This is fantastic advice! I missed out on 4 years on 401k company contributions because I was poor and would rather spend my money on cigarettes than my future, what a terrible mistake.
You want to specifically look for low cost index funds, something that is total market (like the S&P500) is usually very stable with a low expense ratio. I used to go with VTSAX, switched over to FZROX. Your company will probably have different options, and never sign up for those automated services or advisors, they are just a black hole of fees.
Seconding on always stick with index funds and check the fees.
Also, diversify. If there’s a large cap, medium cap, and small cap index fund then put 1/3 into each. Bonus if there’s an “emerging markets” index fund.
Point is, don’t put all of your funds into one basket (whatever it is) ESPECIALLY company stock.
I don’t think your worried about the hours, it’s the change.
The new people, routines, behaviours, schedules to memorise.
What you don’t realise is all the skills you built getting yourself to this point means you are more prepared then you think.
You got this. You own this, so go make it yours.
I guess i never thought of it that way. but it’s true, i wouldn’t have reached out for the change if I really didn’t think i could do it… thank you!!
Hey Emma, i just want to let you know that you’re not the only one to worry about this. It is a legitimate thing and your body and mind is trying to prepare you for the challenge ahead, but you can do it! For all the benefits you mentioned, and also for the sake of proving to yourself that you can do it!
Those of is that have ADHD need more stimulation in our days, so having the same full-time schedule every weekday is a challenge. Maybe you can key into the differences between Monday and Tuesday, etc., and be looking for ways to be true to yourself in this new schedule.
Also, whenever you work a new job or a new place, but especially a full time one, in the beginning you’ll get waaay more tired than you’ll be when you’re used to it. That is also normal, and not a problem with you, and it ends after it stops being new. Your mind has to process all the social, informational, etc., stuff at the new job, so maybe plan ahead by trying to limit some of your optional after or before work commitments for a little bit, just to have that room to breathe. You got this :)
Hey Emma,
Congratulations on your promotion. Also congratulations and realizing you were understimulated and did something about it. It’s important to know yourself especially when you have ADD. Change is always scary especially when you bet on yourself. But it’s always worth it in the end even when it doesn’t work out. Regrets about missed opportunities hurt more then past failures.
The first few weeks (months?) may be difficult. But that’s expected and I do recommend working harder or longer for that time period anyhow to get a good first impression of yourself. After that you can scale back to a sustainable level for yourself. You got this!!!