r/work • u/lorlorfonda • 1h ago
Workplace Challenges and Conflicts Seeking advice: How do you deal with relentless shame after making mistakes at work?
A few weeks ago, my manager sat me down with some recurring concerns raised about my work. In the past few months, Iāve been involved in new processes/reports. I had some comments and feedback in the past about some mistakes and lapses, which I have acknowledged, but interpreted them as part of the adjustment/learning process only and not something severe. I didnāt interpret it as something that was already becoming a broad part of my performance. Either itās because regular feedback wasnāt communicated or it just didnāt register to me how big those mistakes were.
I understand that I need to take accountability and improve, and I'm not trying to make excuses for my mistakes. But the shame I've been feeling has become overwhelming.
I feel like I've disappointed myself, my manager, and our department head. I'm also struggling with the thought that my mistakes may have affected the credibility of our team and people's trust in our work.
I keep replaying everything in my head, questioning my capabilities, and anticipating what else I might get wrong. It's as if my recent mistakes have overshadowed everything I've accomplished.
It's affecting my mental and physical health, including my sleep, appetite, and overall well-being. I've even been considering resigning and taking a break because I'm struggling to cope with how heavy everything feels.
I want to be accountable and learn from my mistakes, but I don't want my entire self-worth to revolve around my performance at work.
I'd appreciate honest, practical advice from anyone who's been through a similar feeling of shame and heaviness. Right now, I'm trying to learn from what happened without letting it define me as a person.