Orange Steamboat

Grumpycats.com

My job is continuing to eat my soul this week. But we’ve now encountered a new twist in the game: my soul is fighting back. I am still more agitated than I would like to be. I wish I was a zen master, but hey, I’ve made it this far without throwing a computer out of a window. That’s a start, right?

I’ve been developing a few strategies which have helped me from thus far transforming into a soulless corporate zombie. If you’re in the same boat as me (sucks to be you!) see if these can’t help nudge you in the right direction.

• Don’t lose sight of your passions. Financial requirements may obligate you to hold down a less than ideal job. Ensure that you find time to dedicate to things that energize you, even if it is just twenty minutes a day.

• Take care of your body. Stress leads me straight to the cookie jar. But sugar will only make things worse! Focus on eating nourishing foods and drinking plenty of water.

• Allow yourself to indulge in small ways. Okay, I realize this kind of contradicts the previous point, but it’s okay to have a glass of wine (or two or three) once in a while. Moderation is key.

• Give yourself mini-time outs throughout the day. Go for a walk. Take a few deep breaths. Google pictures of cats (see “grumpy cat” above). Scream into a pillow.

• Have dinner with a colleague. If you’re lucky enough to have co-workers you can be real with, vent and laugh with them outside of the office. It’s nice to have a reminder that others are going through the same frustrations you are. You’ll leave feeling refreshed.

• Find the humor in the situation. My company has been going through some policy changes that I find ridiculous. I enjoy deconstructing them Jon Stewart-style. This helps me laugh instead of stress.

• Take it in stride. Be kind to co-workers and clients. Be as patient as you can. Do a good job. But keep it in perspective. My mantra as of late has been “you are not your job.” A good friend told me hers is “I just work here.”

Do you have any other tips, wild ideas or harebrained schemes?