It's been happening, lately.
I tend to know when it's going to happen, but each time, I battle desperately to avoid the tears. I try my hardest to shove the emotions down, ignore it, do something else. But, I can't put it off forever. And, so, usually, in the middle of someone asking me how my day is going, I start to cry.
And I'm not a pretty crier. I tend to bawl. I create mucus. I have difficulty breathing. If I'm lucky, I can stifle the sobs. My face turns red. And, as I try to talk, it only gets worse.
The strange thing, however, about working for a feminist organization is that I'm not ostracized for this. Rather than being made to feel weak and incapable, I'm met with validation and understanding. And, I'm not even afraid that people are gossiping about my meltdowns behind my back.
If I had one hope for those who are employed, it would be to have the opportunity to cry at work without feeling judged. I think that is truly the measure of a workplace.
I LOVE this! I only recently discovered crying. I believed for so long that it made me weak and people couldn't handle it, but now I am a crier.
ReplyDeleteCrying at work freaked me out, so now I work from home. How cool that people at work are so supportive!
I think it's sad that people have to rediscover crying. We know all about it as babies and children, and then are socialized that we need to repress our emotions. I'm glad you've learned how to cry again, though.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you can cry at work, too.
It's good to hear that you're in touch with your feelings. But it isn't good to hear that you're upset. Hope crying helped!
ReplyDeleteI think it's the nature of the work...and, well, the nature of not great coping mechanisms. Unlike what I encourage my clients to do, I tend to try to ignore my feelings until I can't any longer.
ReplyDeleteDo as I say, not as I do? Hypocritical, but, fortunately, my clients don't know that it is. :)