My friend’s been having a rough month at work so they often text me about it. When they’re home and free to, i ask if they want to talk abt it. Throughout the work day they do this as well but i dont know how to respond. I’m living my regular relatively stress free life and send a pic of something goofy then they’ll respond with *things are terrible* and i inwardly go 😬 cause i feel bad they’re doing so terribly when im just chillin. I send a worried emoji or something cuz i feel for them…but i am also just chillin.
5 comments
Don’t worry about most us hate our jobs. The complaining is just coping. Nothing needs to be done.
My entire last year at my job was absolute hell. Just letting and being there helps. Just listen to him. No need to be his therapist or try to fix his problems.
I don’t know the correct answer to this. Me, personally, I would send a short text encouraging them (perhaps with a hug emoji or something in that vein) while I’m at work and then I would follow up with more questions/conversation about it after work. A lot of times people just wanna vent and have someone say it’ll be okay. I strongly prefer calling over texting because I can go for a walk, etc and feel less drained by being glued to my phone. So I offer to call or meet them for coffee/drinks over the weekend. If they don’t bite, I’ll just send them a more thought out encouraging message. Occasionally, I will do 30 mins of texting back and forth if we’re both free at that same time. Either way, I always end saying something positive and later in the week I try to do something nice like meeting up or Surprise amazon gift.
I don’t tend to feel guilty for doing okay when they’re not. I don’t think you should feel bad either. That’s kinda just how the world is, sometimes people are experiencing different things. Hopefully they feel better soon.
It’s okay, if they’re having a truly rough month at work they’re probably thinking mostly about their rough month, not the fact that you are having an easy month. No need to feel guilty. Just be there for them. Listen to them and let them vent, and sympathize.
You’re not expected to solve their problems.