postr/StutterFebruary 4, 2025

1st call for work 😱😥😥🥹

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Content

1st call for work 😱😥😥🥹 Today wasn’t the worst, but I’m feeling a little irritated. I just started my new job as a crisis counselor, and honestly, I just want to scream. Before we can start taking calls on our own, we have to go through a consultation where a lead listens in. Today, my very first call was from a sheriff reporting that a 91-year-old man wanted to shoot himself. I immediately started stuttering, and the lead messaged me to ask more questions while he listened. My heart started pounding—I hate being listened to when I stutter. Then, after the call, the lead told me I had to call the man directly. My anxiety spiked even more because now I had to make the call with someone listening. When the man answered, he immediately yelled at me and hung up. At that moment, I was relieved. But then the lead told me I had to call him back again and also contact another resource center. At that point, I was thinking, Are you kidding me? It was clear the man didn’t want to be bothered, so why keep calling? Not to mention, the lead—who had a very particular way of doing things—kept making me dial numbers while he listened. I know I’ll succeed once I’m on my own and comfortable, but this experience just left me feeling embarrassed. When I get on the phones I’m not calling people unless it’s completely necessary I’m not embarrassing my self just because. I have another consultation tomorrow, and I’m hoping for a different lead. But in the meantime, I could use some uplifting advice.

Themes

Emotional ExperienceSpeech & StutteringSchool & Work

Subthemes

Anxiety & Social JudgmentPhysical TensionEmployment & Career

Codes (1)

intimidation_authority