[InhaleExhale13]

I have always been a "quiet" and "shy" person all of my life. It wasn't until my senior year of high school that my "shyness" turned into full blown social anxiety. Over the past year it's gone up and down. Some days are definitely better than others, but lately the days have been far worse.

I recently got a job. I haven't gotten an actual shift yet, but I am terrified. Completely and utterly terrified. Just the thought of messing up and/or my coworkers hating me is what keeps me up each night. I know I shouldn't be so scared, but I am. I don't want to mess up, I don't want to be lost, and I don't want every one to dislike me.

I'm so scared and I don't want to be. But I am.

[Kaboodle]

Hi...I kind of know how you feel. I, too, am a quiet, shy, type C personality and suffer from some kind of social anxiety but I can plow through it in order to function AND feel great relief when the situation's over.

As far as your "messing up and your co-workers hating me" statement....I have a couple of points to make.

First, any sort of anxiety has a way of magnifying your worst fears. It's like putting a giant microscope on your life and it picks up all the fears and mistakes we've made and makes them much larger than they really should be. It makes us obsess about things that no one else gives a second thought to.

Secondly, how do you feel when someone else messes up? You probably laugh along with them. All of your co-workers had a first day. They all messed up. None of us are born with the knowledge to be a burger-flipper, secretary, truck driver or whatever. If you do mess up just say, "DUH, I'll get the hang of this sooner or later" and laugh at yourself. They are not going to hate you. Hate is a very strong word.

Once you get through the first couple of days, you'll get the hang of it. Whenever I had to learn a new job, I always had a small notepad and pen in hand and made notes of what had to be done. If there are multiple steps involved you'll be lucky to remember the first two if they are not written down.

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!

[benson123]

You are not alone with first day jitters. New jobs are hard and you may make some mistakes. Employers expect that as long as you learn from it. I know that is not easy. I fear making mistakes. Try not to be too hard on yourself. They hired you meaning they have confidence you can do this. Kaboodle above made some excellent points. Try to keep those in mind.