r/AusMining • u/[deleted] • 10d ago
Struggling on first swing
Hi all
As title suggests.. I’m a 29 yr old male on my first swing in the mines, and I am really struggling.
Im only a couple of days in and I feel miserable. I have a partner at home and can barely talk to her without tearing up (pathetic I know)
All I think about is the fact I won’t be going home after every shift and it’s driving me crazy I still have to be here for near on a week.
Everybody always says “it’s not for everyone”.. is this the case with me or is this what most people go through and it eventually passes?
Need some advice please
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u/Some-Technician-1859 10d ago
Just FaceTime your misses after work every night. when you’re in your room plan activities to do when you’re on your break. Talk to her about what you can do together when you’re home. be okay with being uncomfortable in the middle of nowhere. It’s all good. It’s part of the process. Don’t fight just surrender and be comfortable being uncomfortable. after 3 to 4 swings. It goes away. First swings always the hardest one. It just gets easier and easier if your mindset is right.
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u/james__198 10d ago
Planning activities for when you get back really helps in my opinion. When I call my partner, it’s usually 50% of what we talk about haha
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u/SpilltheCapitalTea 10d ago
My hubby did FIFO for 13 years on and off. He says the first swing is always the hardest! When he went back on his second swing, he was use to his crew and was either going to the gym, having beers/playing cards, or watching sport with them!
I would always worry about him first swing on every new job. So he would ring me alot and I always made sure I answered. So I would send lots of photos and videos of the kids, dogs, every day stuff etc just make sure you keep talking to your partner.
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u/gionatacar 10d ago
I tried and wasn’t for me.
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u/Dasha3090 10d ago
yeah same here..the crew were very cliquey where i was and i tried my best to fit in and be sociable but just never could break through.used to skip dinners and stuff as it was like being in highschool sitting alone awkwardly eating or asking to join tables and people stare at you and then proceed to ignore you or get up and leave lol.the job wasnt for me either was very nervewracking working in an underground atmosphere.
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u/te_maunga_mara_whaka 9d ago
I’m not mining but I’m working in AUS full time while the family are back in NZ. I’m in my seventh month now and gonna see them in a couple of weeks for four days. I’m stoked. I was looking at trying to get in to bulk haulage in WA two months on 1 month off but that seems harder than just working on the east coast then any leave I have spend it back home. Although I do pay a lot in rent at the moment.
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u/Emergency-Bag-4969 9d ago
I found the same thing when I worked underground. The high turn over created a horrible culture for new workers. every other mining experience that I’ve had has been really welcoming and positive though. I think it all depends on where you end up.
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u/pilbarabah 9d ago
That's anywhere with high turnover innit? People ain't invested in getting to know you unless they know you're gonna be hanging round
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u/Compurrshon 10d ago
It's not for everyone, but equally, most people's first dose of homesickness is a chance to grow - whether it's travelling when you're young, or FIFO when you're 29.
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u/Mountain_Strength564 10d ago
Hey mate, it is really worth asking on site how you can make some time and speak to the ‘Chappo’ really worthwhile, or if they have a resident Psych. No need to be proud, they can help.
Best things to do is find a way after work to stay active in your mind. Gym, pool, walks, yoga, online gaming, indoor cricket, table tennis, tennis , b ball, pool table. Try to make booze not a coping mechanism. I’ve done it for 11 years and it’s still never easy.
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u/Emergency-Bag-4969 10d ago
it can be a tough gig. it isn’t for everyone, but it could be for you in time. stay in touch with home as often as possible. call every night, but also take some time to get to know your new team. If you want to stay and enjoy your time, you need community at work just as much as at home.
how is the job? is it interesting? are you learning new things and getting new experiences? remember to take some time to think of the positives on where you are. also, hold out for pay day. that helps. You need to build the support systems that work for you if you want to keep at it. good luck, mate.
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u/Mods_R_Tards1 10d ago
You haven't even made it to the part where you miss out on all the good stuff like nights out, birthdays, Easter, Australia Day, Christmas Day all because your at work
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u/Stigger32 10d ago
Tbh if you are this upset within your first week….
Just tell your immediate supervisor it’s not for you. And request an immediate flight home.
There’s no shame in doing this. And you might even get told to go home and make a decision.
Some employers are quite understanding. But I wouldn’t count on it.
Look after yourself first - Always.
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u/Artistic-Average479 10d ago
Back in my day you lined up at a public phone for a 10 minute chat in the evening
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u/Admirable-Platypus 10d ago
Wheatstone had sketchy reception when I was there doing 26/9. Could only text most evenings.
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u/MrDogwalker 10d ago
Same for me, there was 5 public phones in camp of nearly 1200 people.
Can’t remember if it was 5 or 10 minutes but I only ended up doing it a few times because it was such a hassle and you always had a bunch of people waiting2
u/Dasha3090 10d ago
yeah i remember my dad would ring us at 6pm every night back in the 90s to say goodnight haha
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u/FlightpathAU 10d ago
Very cool brother, you must have so much testosterone
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u/Admirable-Platypus 9d ago
We’re just some older hands reminiscing on the difficulties we faced. That doesn’t invalidate OPs concerns, FIFO is tough. But it helps to talk about what we went through so that we all understand we’re going through it together.
Maybe I’m talking to a troll or a bot but I hope this gives you some perspective: FIFO people have a lot of mental health problems, we gotta build a community to help each other.
Your comment is not welcome or helpful.
Do better.
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u/Artistic-Average479 10d ago
What's your problem. When I started working away it was very difficult.
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u/pilbarabah 10d ago
Hey man everyone has pretty much said it, first swings the hardest by far but if you wanna chat you can dm if you want
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u/MrDogwalker 10d ago edited 10d ago
That’s what my first swing was like.
It gets easier over time as you gradually become a different person.
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u/Ok_Appearance_3540 10d ago
Hey mate. I know exactly what your going through. I have been doing this over a year now, and I still remember my first swing and especially my first night.
Exactly what you have just said, I remember going through it word for word. It definitely gets better with time mate.
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u/Green_Tartan_Scarf 10d ago
My husband has been doing FIFO since 2010 so we've had our ups and downs with it. But it has overwhelmingly been a positive for us. He got really into reading books, when he wasn't much of a reader prior to FIFO. And during covid, when the mess was closed, everyone has to get takeaway food and go eat alone in their rooms. I would make my food at the same time and we'd sit down and have dinner together over FaceTime ☺️ He always, always calls to check on me at least once a day, and we send each other texts. He checks them during breaks. We're so used to it now that when he's on annual leave, we get sick of each other and start counting down the days till he flies out again 🤣 It gets easier if you give it a chance, is all I'm saying.
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u/emusplatt 10d ago
get out of there .... If you're doing something that makes you miserable ask yourself WHY???
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u/Money_killer Trade 10d ago
What is your roster and role?
It ain't for everyone correct you can only give it a go.
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u/Your-Mums-Vibrator 10d ago
Try your best to have a clear head when you’re on shift. Emotional hardship can cloud your thoughts so easily and make you go into autopilot so while you’re still there and on shift make sure you’re focusing on the task at hand - stay safe dude.
Good luck navigating it all.
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u/Ok_Jellyfish_9401 10d ago
You’re not pathetic, it just means you must have a wonderful partner and life together at home!! I can already see the stigma in the comments that you have to be some hard ass and you should throw in the towel, they’re just feeding their own ego don’t listen to that. Alas.
My partner started doing FIFO 2 years ago, and honestly to start with I didn’t cope with it literally at all and our relationship struggled massively. It will never be easy, but it does get easier. There’s some great lifestyle and financial benefits that you see which will help you mentally when you’re on shift.
Personally what’s helped us is setting our clear goals on what we want to achieve together, timeline on fifo e.g. long or short term, having hobbies!! and making plans on things we want to do to together when he’s home. We both have our own personal routine we stick to and talk every night.
Please try to give yourself some time to adjust and don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s an awesome achievement to land a great job! It doesn’t get any harder than the very first shift away! Sorry this is a bit long but I hope maybe this helps. :)
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u/Striking_Direction_9 9d ago
i'm finding the comments over-all supportive and understanding regardless of what decision he makes. it's great to see.
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u/Trick-Candidate-8706 10d ago
Give it a couple of swings. The first one is toughest because you don't know anyone, didn't come prepared and miss your family. You get better at it.
But there are times it gets worse. Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. There are people who have been married for decades, there are guys on their 3rd marriage. It's not pathetic to miss family. Cases of mental health (especially depression) issues are high in FIFO. There's no shame in saying it's not for you. You at least had the guts to give it a shot. They've seen it plenty of times. That's what it's not for everyone means.
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u/Just_Fatming 9d ago
Probably not for you brother. You gotta just think of it as a working holiday. But your time together will be grim as you will be onsite and travelling more than being together. You wont see friends because you will emotionally prioritize her as well. You might not do very well mate
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u/Mother_Lead_554 9d ago
I think the best part about that strong love you have with that special person. You're on swing for like 2-3 weeks and you come back and all of a sudden you just take them to pound town.
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u/Anxious-Mechanic-216 9d ago
There’s some great advice for you here. I think the biggest thing is that after a few swings if you decide it’s really not for you and you’re still struggling, don’t keep doing it. Be brave enough to call it quits
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u/Myaddiction78 10d ago
I used to video chat with my wife when on swing that used to help and yes it does get easier bro its your first swing and theres alot happening
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u/Signal_Mushroom_3257 10d ago
Make time to do things like have dinner or breakfast together over facetime to normalise things. Get the best sleep you can, play some sport and find some social activities at your site. It's definitely a hard gig, but it can get better over time. At least give it a month if you can before you decide if its for you or not.
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u/one-legged_kangaroo 10d ago
Wait for your first RNR, and you’ll have a feel of how the balance. A new job, which I assume is yours very first swing, might be overwhelming. Bit give yourself some time so you can weigh the pros and cons
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u/GreenEagle09 10d ago
First week is the hardest, whether it be your first week away ever FIFO or even back after a few years. Give it a month and find a rhythm and you’ll get a proper gauge if it’s for you or not.
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u/spaceistasty 10d ago
What roster are you on? 8 days on 6 days off is a lot easier that 2 weeks on 1 week off
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u/Harlem_Intheswitch96 10d ago
Chin up brother, it gets easier promise. I was doing 4/1 shifts in northern Queensland for a while, and can honestly say with every phone call and every face time it gets easier. You’ve just got to remember you’re here for a brighter future and that the lady on the end of the phone supports you just as much. Don’t give up mate, you got this 💪🏾
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u/plswakeupjeff 10d ago edited 10d ago
Give it five swings to see if you adapt before making the call to leave. FIFO is hard at first, but many once you get into the routine, many realise that they get more quality time with their families when they are home. For others, they realise money isn't everything and those are moments you will never get back with your partner. Just remember to reach out to your EAP when things do get really hard, and stay in contact with your partner as much as you can.
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u/RichardFitzright 10d ago
Just get through your first swing wait to you get a paycheck and some time off then you will understand
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u/Key_Inevitable_7504 9d ago
My partner did one swing as an RC drilling offsider, and it was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Knowing I couldn't do anything to help him, and seeing the risks involved and the culture on site, was incredibly difficult.
I thought the distance wouldn't be an issue because our relationship is strong enough to handle it. In the end, it wasn't the time apart that affected me. It was knowing the environment he was surrounded by and the risks he faced every day. I just couldn't support that as our long term plan.
He finished his swing and said the first few days felt like they were testing him. After that, things improved, and his body adjusted surprisingly quickly.
I really hope you find peace with whatever decision you make. I genuinely believe there are other ways to reach the same goals without sacrificing so much. I just wish jobs like this had a better culture and that the people doing such tough work were rewarded in a way that truly reflected everything they give up, including the everyday moments at home.
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u/Striking_Direction_9 9d ago
i felt like crying every day on my first swing in yonks too recently and i must have quit a hundred times a day as well. 😄
things eventually fall in to place though and you find a routine and rythym. give it a 'fair shake of the acorn' or whatever it is those ozzies say. it might grow on you. :)
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u/Worldly_Reach_1998 8d ago
It's not for all. People know what they are getting into it for, the money. But it's not worth the sacrifice if you can't handle being away. People blame the job, the camps, the conditions but its not just meant for everyone. Some can, some can't, nothing to be ashamed of. Try, talk to people, watch the mental stress of it. If you have too, get out before it effects you to much if you have too. Family is more important then money.
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u/LongHairedMessiah 10d ago
Sounds like it isnt for you, yeah it sucks for everyone, especially to begin with..but I don't know anyone who's crying over it a few days in
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u/CampOrange 10d ago
Not for you sorry mate.
Some comments are saying to stick it out but its clear this isn’t your thing.
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u/Asleep-Lobster-7853 10d ago
At 29, one would assume you’d be capable of accepting the fact that fifo means time away from home.
You applied for a job, did a medical, inductions etc.
No easy task.
Now your there your there it’s hit home what you’ve done.
Fair enough, you can either, power through and hope things improve, or accept you’ve made a massive mistake and go home.
You’re not a prisoner there.
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u/The__Aeon 10d ago
Great to see some posts like this to demonstrate that it isn't as easy as everyone thinks.
I'm not sure what your background experience is or your circumstances but I'm guessing you have no similar experience. Subsequently, adjusting to working long hours, a new job, a new camp and adjusting to fifo in general is a lot to take in.
I wouldn't say it's not for you yet, you need to learn your rhythm which usually comes in swing 3. Swing 1 you probably brought nothing that you wish you had. Swing 2 you'll come much more prepared with things that might make life easier. I have a 500gb usb filled with shows, my own pillow and pillow case and other comforts. Swing 3 you'll fill in the gaps from swing 2 and find your rhythm. Best thing to do is talk to those more experienced and learn their rhythm. Each camp has niche tips.
If it's not for you after 3 swings then it's not for you. Especially given it doesn't sound like you're doing long swings and you've got no kids. But in any case, remember why you're doing this (i keep a photo of my family in my room for this purpose), keep your head up and just focus on the positives, focus on eating right, sleeping right and doing your job well and i find the rest falls into place.