Full-time Unexpectedly and Unpreparedly

Post Reply New Topic

So I've been working as a cleaner on weekends. Another employee has left without notice and I have been filling in for her. The job is posted and with the support of my co-workers I've put in for it - full-time, permanent. Tbh, I never thought I would work full time again. My boss has accepted my application and tells me that if no one with more seniority applies, I'll get it. The word is that no one else is interested. So I'm up.



I'm really not sure if I'm up to this. I'm feeling overwhelmed and confused, but luckily am medicated.

This is great news, congratulations.

Maybe look at your new schedule and prioritise resourcing yourself/down time in the evenings/weekends, like an insurance against running low mentally.

Thank you.


Yes, I will have to give this some thought. The whole this is very overwhelming. Twice now I have managed to be overlooked for full-time since I started in June. I was feeling comfortable. She asked me to come in for a shift Wednesday and I did. I did not expect things to change like this. Mentally I'm about a millimeter above empty. Physically I'm hanging in, but sore. This job is different from the one I do on weekends and is more physical. Although I do think I can manage.
Fortunately, my co-workers are supportive and seem to want me to join the team in this role. Still, overwhelming. I feel like I'm navigating Scylla and Charybdis socially. I just try to focus on the task and be distracted although personal interaction is impossible to avoid.

Awesome! I'm very, very happy for you. I hope you find the mental and physical strength to be successful in this new role should you get it, which it sounds like you will. Good luck.

Congrats! It will be difficult at first, but you will gain strength and endurance as you go along and the job will become easier. Also, do not worry about the social interaction. There is only so much talking people are willing to do when they are working. Trust me on this one. Working is not a social environment as everyone makes it out to be, especially when you are on your feet cleaning away.

Thank you.
Physically, I think I'll be okay. I'm just not used to it. Mentally, well, ..., I think my challenges come down to processing. It just takes me longer to figure out what's going on. And then I get stressed because I worry about appearing to be an idiot. (Actually, I might be an idiot, but that's okay.) I'm just focusing on my task and trying to do it right.

Exactly, the more you focus on the work, the less the "play" gets in the way.

I think you'll do fine, Ann.

Thanks kraftie.

Work was good today, but I was so tired. I'm not use to all this physicality. The mornings are particularly wearing as I spend them cleaning in the childcare centre. Children stress me out. Crying and squealing and such. And it brings back some terrible memories.

I imagine that if I do get the position permanently, I will get a routine and learn to cope. The other workers tell me that you can bring an ipod and listen with one earpiece, which I think I will do. I saw the boss today and she said I could continue working this shift on Monday. Saturday and Sunday are my regular part-time scheduled shifts. So Monday will be my 6th day in a row and if I get the job I will work through 'til next Friday. That will be 10 days in a row.

Even though it's a little overwhelming I am hoping to get the job permanently. It's not bad.

Well done!

I think this is a fine start, Ann, and will lead to more substantive opportunities in the future.

Have you enrolled in that math course?

So it's day 6. Yesterday was Garrison Family Fun Fest and they moved it indoors because of rain. Which meant that it was right square in my cleaning territory. Bother. Seven bouncy castles/labyrinths/rappelling towers, face painting, balloons, music, and of course garbage.
Tomorrow I find out if I get the job, which I really hope I do because I"m scheduled for the shift 'til Friday (which will be my 10th day in a row.)
I'm really tired. I need to get a car.

How's the parking by your building? I know in Montreal, you have to have some kind of "residence sticker."

The transition period is the worst part, but you can get through it! Give yourself LOTS of grace and time off from non-work stuff. Expect less of yourself with housecleaning and cooking and all that stuff. Know that learning how to balance it all and not be overly tired will come, in time.

Oh, parking is no problem. The base is in the boonies, which is why taking the bus sucks. Plus I find myself bumming rides off my co-workers, which I hate doing.
And the math class is on hold, although not forever, perhaps. Just not the right time.


Yes, my housekeeping has come down to having enough energy to put the garbage out tonight. And prepared food is my new best friend.

I have stumbled into the deep end. But I like the water. Lots of strange fish.

You'll adapt, it'll just take some time.