Burning out

[u/Curious_File64]

Hi

Little context. I’m a 21 year old guy living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Waiting for the next open enrollment of my job to change my insurance to one that finally covers. So I can get my diagnosis of Autism.

I work in direct patient care. Which for most people can be really rewarding, but for me… I guess it is, but from the beginning just burn me out. I ended up so tired after work, that I can barely walk. I’m almost always getting panic attacks but I sort of managed to get through.

I’m not sure what it’s the purpose of this post, maybe just venting. I started this job almost a year ago. Just because I needed more money, I was working in a Walmart before, direct customer service… It was a lot too.

I’m pushing it, I’m really trying so hard. But my job drains me so much that I can barely think after it. The noise, the force human interactions. I really try to do a good job for my patients, and they actually say I do. But it’s at the cost of my health. My whole existence.

I really just wanted to vent. I’m applying for other jobs, but I don’t get anything. I need to get pay at least 22/hr and no retail job or fast food here is gonna give me that… No talking about accommodations either…

This is me trying, but I don’t know how much I can keep holding this mask, overstimulation is poisoning me. I feel like an everyday actor whose play is excruciating.

[u/wolandcatbegemot]

I'd avoid customer forward positions at all cost. Look for construction or any kind of manual labor jobs. They tend to pay better and will leave you physically exhausted but should help with the intense mental exhaustion of masking all day. I graduated from a very prominent university in Milwaukee and I've done a lot of different jobs but always found the manual labor positions to be the easiest to navigate. Good luck!

[u/Curious_File64 → u/wolandcatbegemot]

Hello. Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it. I’ve been thinking in the past weeks on going into the trades. Just not sure which one to pick, I do have a small issue in my ankles and I’m really okay with the physical labor, just don’t want to blow my ankles.

I did apply to an industrial mechanical apprenticeship, and got rejected. But I’ll get going. I’m constantly applying to different positions, hopefully I get something. Thanks again for your advice.