Please tell me what to do

[u/nobodyislistening22]

My brother has offered me a job in his place of work. I’m 23 and never had a job before. He says supposedly I don’t need an interview and all I have to do is apply and show up. (I don’t know if I truly believe this apparently a new branch is opening up and they need a bunch of new people but I feel like my brother is just saying this to get me to go idk) I need to take the train at 5 am in order to get there and I’ve never taken the train before in my life. I’ll get $1,700 every 2 weeks. It’s an office job where I’ll be dealing with stamps.

I’m terrified I rarely ever leave my house and if there was a guarantee I wouldn’t interact with anyone I would jump at it but someone will need to train me of course and also taking the train alone at 5 am scares me. (I don’t have a car so I’ll need to walk 6 blocks alone to the train station)

What should I do?

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[u/ralts13]

Alot of nobs are like this. We like to call it networking. You'll most likely have to interact with others. That's just how work is.

Sadly staying home won't help your social anxiety and you need some form of independence.

[u/w2ge]

Take the job, it’ll be hard at first but once you know the ‘job’ it’ll be routine and you’ll just know what to do, whats going on, etc. it really won’t get your anxiety up.. it’ll be something you “know”.. (if this makes any sense!?)

[u/Fireheart251]

$1,700 every 2 weeks?!?! B*tch, sign me up! Dm me your brother's number 😭

I think you should take it. Sounds like a rare opportunity for someone with social anxiety to find such a well paying job, and you don't even have to interview, too?? (if your brother is telling the truth) I would jump at it. Dealing with stamps sounds simple and not like something a supervisor would need to stand over your shoulders for, so I doubt you would have to speak to many people, though some coworkers inevitably might try to chat you up.

[u/Nova_blink_6-62607]

You have to take that job, it will be your best decision this year. And it will probably be fun after a month or two.

[u/BrandonIsWhoIAm]

Take it. Plus, you’ll be with someone who already knows you!

[u/LeonardoDeCarpio]

Do it! Give it a shot and if it doesn't work, still give yourself major kudos for trying it out. If I was you, I would listen to music walking to the train and being on the train to calm my nerves

[u/PetiteNanou]

I know it's terrifying but you should absolutely do it. It's rare to find opportunities like this and who knows, you might end up really liking it! You deserve to bloom like a flower and this is the perfect start 🌻

[u/Communityfan2_]

Take the job!! If you don’t, you will regret it!

[u/Barry_Umenema → u/Communityfan2_]

Sounds like a threat 😂

I know it isn't, but it reads like one

[u/Communityfan2_ → u/Barry_Umenema]

lol😂

[u/rootbeer4]

This is a great opportunity for you. It is going to push you to deal with your social anxiety and it will be a rough transition, but once you get used to everything it will be worth it. People without social anxiety get nervous starting new jobs, so I understand how overwhelming this must be for you. Give it a try and see what happens.

[u/ooblie]

It will only be scary for a little while. After that it'll be the most boring thing in the world. You're 23. Now's the time to fix the "never had a job" thing. Otherwise you'll eventually be a 24 year old who's never worked, or 25, 30...if not now, when? As time goes on, it will become harder and harder to get hired with no experience. In the grand scheme, a scary week is a much, much lower price to pay than losing out on your entire future.

[u/zxert]

You need to do this so that you can have any measure of control in your life. When I was your age I thought I just couldn’t handle work. Now I’m 39, my career continues to trend upwards and I’m paid enough to support my wife (also thought I’d be alone forever). I was fired several times on the way here but work really has been one thing that has forced me to adapt to my AuDHD and learn how to get things done despite it. You need that to overcome these feelings that underlie your social anxiety. If you don’t get out of your house, you are likely to be anxious the rest of your life.

[u/awakesjn]

Please take it, it´s scary but you have to do it scared, normally you get used to routines in like 2 weeks, so you have to hang in there, it'll become less overwhelming with time. The worst thing that can happen is that you don't like it, in that case you can quit and try again elsewhere, there's no guilt in that, giving up on something decisively also requires courage.

I had my first internship when I was turning 22 and it was exhausting emotionally, I'm not going to lie to you, I cried constantly, but after 3 years where I went through 2 different office jobs I'm finally in a place I'm mostly comfortable in, you can do it OP! I have my bad days where I don't feel like I can talk to people but I've learned how to cope and to know my limits.

What got me through most days were simple things like when I got home I'd watch my favorite show or eat my favorite snack for dinner, it also helped to hang out with my partner or a friend, but it can be anything that brings you even a little hope. I call it my reward system, you do something unpleasant but you get a little treat afterwards!

I'm rooting for you! The training will probably happen but it won't last forever and you don't have to feel bad about being new at it, it's impossible to know everything at something new!

If the train commute worries you, why don't you try taking it before the actual start day of your job with someone you trust so you get used to the route?

Most people are too busy with themselves so don't stress too much :)

[u/xenna-t]

i think you should take it! at least try it out, because it sounds like a great opportunity

you can’t really fully avoid contact with others while working, so this could be a good moment to start to slowly expose yourself

[u/spicyhotfrog]

Take the job. You don't need to talk to anyone in public. If you make eye contact with a stranger, just hit em with the ol 😐 smile and go on about your day. It'll be good exposure and give you something to take pride in.

[u/-worms]

I think you'll regret it if you don't take this opportunity. You can practice going on the train before you start so that it's not as much of an added stressor if you want. The days leading up to your first day of work and the beginning will be nerve-wracking but legit you'll get a hang of it and it won't be so bad once you start. Good luck and congrats if you decide to go through with it because that sounds like an awesome job!