Jack(ie) of all trades, mistress of a few

by Lisa
(Texas, USA)

I've been told that I'm too sensitive, and that I needed to develop a thicker skin. I've had too many jobs to count -- lab technician, science teacher, caregiver, laundry attendant, substitute teacher, sales (yuck -- never again), and curriculum writer, to name a few. My least favorite part of working in an office, lab, or school is the office politics and gossip. I've experienced the "Boss from Hell", but I've also had a few good bosses. Currently, I work as a curriculum writer at home, and I'm on call at one of the local laundromats, and I occasionally sit with confused patients at the hospital.

Through a knitting site, of all places, I found out about Elaine Aron's work on highly sensitive people, took the self-test, and found that I was indeed highly sensitive. Not that I didn't already know, but it was a relief to know that I'm not a freak and that my job issues are common to most HSPs. As I've been trawling the web for information, I've found that my last few job choices -- teaching, writing, and caregiving -- are more in line with the HSP personality. Of the jobs I've had, I most enjoy writing chemistry curricula and teaching chemistry at the community college level. My ideal work situation would allow me to volunteer with my religion more fully, teach one chemistry class per long semester (not summer sessions -- never again), and write chemistry curricula, online homework, or other learning modules.

A few things that have helped me over the years include:
1. I keep work separate from the rest of my life. I'm frazzled at the end of the shift and want to go home and chill out.
2. I pray, especially when things get hectic or I'm stressed, which doesn't take much. Others may choose to meditate or consider affirmations or whatever works for them.
3. I'm learning not to get too attached to a job or employer, so I'm now looking for work well before the job ends. Here today, gone tomorrow. I'm also looking at other alternatives.
4. I'm re-learning to tune out others' well-meaning but very unhelpful advice, but instead to look at what's right for me. I've
lived long enough now (I'm 40) to know what I can and cannot handle.
5. I just found out that I'm an HSP, so I'm trying to find out as much information as I can about the trait, which includes reading Dr. Aron's book.
6. I made the mistake of scrimping on self-care, namely cranial-sacral treatment, chiropractic, and sessions with my therapist because my job and money situation have both been bad for the last few years. However, I'm slowly starting back on these because if I don't take care of myself, I can't do anything, including work.

I could also use a few tips on how to work with my sensitivity and choose work that will actually let me meet my goals without being so frustrated and aggravated.