Breath, Just Breath (Through Your Work Frustration)

Hi friends! It’s been a while, so let me give you the thirty second update on what’s going on in my life. First and foremost, I was promoted at work (yay!) which means I’ve been a slave to my work-related writing/editing duties. (AKA why I haven’t posted sooner.) I’ve also moved out of Washington, D.C. for the wonderful world of Alexandria, Virginia with my lovely boyfriend. (Just in case you’re curious, and because I’m obsessed with this Hallmark-quality story, we met doing a community theater show at the Little Theater of Alexandria. So adorable.)

So what inspired me to put fingers to keys and write up a new post? I mean, other than some free time thanks to my favorite food-related holiday. Workplace frustration. Having a temper tantrum or going on a rant dripping with sarcastic “thanks for all your help” isn’t very professional, but, if you’re anything like me, you can’t keep that frustration in forever. Here are a few tips for letting out your inner rage monster at work without getting fired.

1. Walk, walk, walk

Walking is my go-to activity to let out frustration. Whenever I feel like my brain is about to explode with all of my NSFW, angry words I go for a 15 to 20 minute walk. Not only does this allow for some me-time, but it removes me from the office environment. A lot of the time my frustration is elevated by having to sit in a cubical all day. Sometimes a bit of fresh air is all I really need. Plus, I get a baby work out in during the work day.

2. Put all those words on paper…and then rip up the paper

Another thing I love to do is write out all my feelings. I’m a writer by nature, so putting my feelings on paper feels therapeutic for me. It’s a good way to expel the words and phrases running around in my head without hurting anyone’s feelings, or my career. After I’m finished writing everything I want to say I rip up the paper. Part of this is because it’s good to symbolically be done with negative feelings, and part of it is so no one reads what I wrote. Okay, if I’m being honest, it’s mostly the latter.

3. Remember why you like your job

Getting frustrated is perfectly human. We’ve all been annoyed with friends, family, electronic devices that seem to never work, etc., but we don’t rage quit those. Don’t let a normal human emotion ruin your job for you. Sometimes when I’m feeling particularly frustrated I take a deep breath and list (in my head obvi) my favorite parts of what I do. I LOVE editing and writing, so I just focus on those things.

4. Have a chat with your boss

I seriously doubt your boss wants you to be a frustrated, miserable blob of a human, so if you’re repeatedly feeling frustrated about some aspect of your job shoot your boss an email and set up a time to chat. Personally, I think it’s best to do this in person; it’s really more of an in-person convo. Just like you have to work at relationships, you have to work at finding your groove at work. Don’t be afraid to, respectfully, tell your boss what’s not working for you. Sometimes a simple one-on-one can alleviate some of your frustration.

If all else fails, take a page from Anna Nalick’s book and breath, just breath.

Have something else that you do when you’re frustrated? Let me know in the comments! And, as always, have a fabulous day!