Feeling reallywrllgltbi overwhelmed

I work at a college, so August is a super crazy month for me. Summer, believe it or not is even more busy than the school year. This year I'm down one person...mind you I'm only a two person office.

Did I mention I'm starting classes next weekend for my PhD? Yep, a weekend program. We already have work to prepare for the first class.

I also had a huge project to create a new course this summer...being piloted for over 500 students to take. We have 5 people on the committee and that's hard enough bc we are all from different disciplines and have different approaches to this course. We are meeting for 1-2 days a week and that's on top of my regular work.

I have some summer training programs for our student leaders that start in two weeks, prior to the start of school. Without the extra staff, who normally handles the training, I still have to put that together.

I also threw my resume out there and have two on campus interviews for a new position...I always keep my eyes peeled for a new/next step at a college. Like I have time for a half day to spend on an interview? They are great opportunities though!

And, I just moved in with my bf and although that's going well, it's still a little adjustment. Even my dog, he's having a hard time with separation anxiety. I came home today and the neighbor was really nice but she warned me the guy downstairs from her is pretty over sensitive with dogs barking. She had a dog and had to get rid of it (granted it was a puppy and she only had it for a few days). I'm NOT getting rid of my dog. He's my buddy and my best friend, I'd rather be homeless than get rid of him.

I'm just feeling really overwhelmed and not sure what to do about it. I'm bringing work home but I can only work on it for so long before my brain turns into mush.

Thinking of talking to my supervisor, but he has got to already know how overwhelmed I am. If he doesn't, and I talk to him about everything on my plate, will he think I can't handle it? I don't want him to think I can't do my job, but I'm basically doing like two or three jobs at this point. Help!

Well if you want someone to talk to about your anxiety and stress levels, I prefer a therapist or Psych Central because bosses don't usually want to be my therapist.

If I am going to meet with my boss, I would have a written presentation that I go over with major points of how your job has increased over the years. Maybe 3 people used to do your job. But with shrinking budgets maybe there is no other option they see. So I would put out trial balloons about any talk of hiring a part time person to help. Of course you don't want to create the idea you cannot handle it. I am not sure if it is better to suffer in silence or not.

I think one thing I would stop doing is bringing work home unless you are getting a really high salary. Taking on the problems of your boss and compromising your health is a definite no in my book. If they want you to work overtime and pay you for overtime maybe that would be acceptable.

If your boss is not empathic, he could be a slave driver. Finding another boss might be another option.

My parents used to say the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Bosses will let you work yourself to death and make them look good and you might get a pat on the back. Take care of your health. You are approaching or in burnout. Self care is the path I recommend.

PM me for more specific lifestyle changes like exercise, mindfulness and music.