u/AgaveMonster

I just started a new job, as in I’ve literally worked there 6 days.

It’s only part-time with (to me) very low pay. I took the job because 1) I lost my job 15 months ago due to company downsizing and this was the first place to actually offer me a job, 2) It’s a nonprofit so the experience will be great for me to move into full-time positions at other nonprofits (my whole career has been corporate and I’m over it), and 3) I’m genuinely excited to be doing more meaningful work that’s truly fulfilling. However, the pay is incredibly low. I’m talking 1/4 of what I was making in my previous job and zero benefits since it’s part-time.

ANYWAY, they’re holding a baby shower for my new coworker next week and have asked all employees to contribute $25 towards the gift they’ve purchased for her.

Firstly, I’m the lowest paid employee at $24 per hour, which the gift amount slightly exceeds. Secondly, of the 6 days I’ve worked, I’ve only seen her 4 of those days. Lastly, she’s not someone I consistently interact with in this job; I spend maybe 10 minutes (at most) per shift with her.

I don’t know how to handle this. I don’t think it’s particularly fair of them to ask me to be part of the contribution, but I also don’t want to make a bad impression by refusing to contribute. Money is incredibly tight since I went 15 months with no job and this new one, while helpful, is 1/4 of what I’m used to earning. I don’t have much to spare.

For anyone familiar with the show “Friends”, think of when Ross moved into his new apartment and they immediately wanted him to fork over $100 for the retiring handyman lol I feel like I’m living this exact situation.

Any advice would be incredibly appreciative! I don’t really have an extra $25 laying around for something like this, but I also don’t want my new boss & coworkers to dislike me. I don’t know what to do. This is all just so awkward.

I lost a job I absolutely loved in April 2025 due to company downsizing. I was an Executive Administrator for them for 7 years and absolutely loved it. The job came with a lot of responsibility, but it was 100% remote and I only had to travel for work twice. Being able to work in my safe space at home in comfortable clothes made the stressful days much more manageable.

I applied to exactly 471 jobs over these past 15 months and only had 2 interviews despite my 18 years of administrative experience with me moving into progressively more responsible roles.

Well, I finally landed a job and I start tomorrow.

It’s only part-time, which I honestly think is a good way to get used to working again, but there are a lot of things I’m extremely anxious about. 1) I’ll be at a nonprofit that helps disabled children aged 10-18 and while I’m excited to move into the nonprofit sector, I’m extremely nervous to be in an environment with kids. I’m worried my low immune system thanks to my severe generalized anxiety disorder and moderate panic disorder will cause me to be sick frequently. 2) A small part of my job will be to check students in/out of the facility as well as answer phones. Answering phone calls from people I don’t know gives me massive anxiety. I’ve been told calls are very low, maybe maximum of 10 per day, but I’m still so nervous about it. 3) There are only 4 single room restrooms on site that are shared with the students. I unfortunately have anxiety induced IBS so I’m freaking out about the possibility of taking up a restroom with an urgent stomach ache. 4) I’m obviously working in-person at this organization with no possibility for remote work. I have not had to work in an office in 12 years. My last 2 jobs were fully remote. I’m terrified in general of having to physically be outside of my home to work. 5) I have to dress “business casual”. I have no idea what that means. I have 1 pair of nice slacks for interviews and 2 modest blouses; that’s it. I have something to wear tomorrow, but after that; nothing. That worries me. 6) I’m worried I’ll be overstimulated by the environment and I’m nervous that I might mess things up. I’ve generally been very good at my job, hence why I’ve continuously been given higher roles, but because I’ve been out of work for 15 months I’m nervous that my brain has somehow dumbed down and I won’t be as good as I was in the past. 7) Non-anxiety, but depression related, I feel like a bit of a failure that it took me 15 months to find a job and it’s not only just part-time with zero benefits, but it’s also about 4 steps backwards career wise in a more entry level position with pay that’s $12 less per hour than my previous job. Even though I searched and applied for almost 500 jobs, did all I could, I can’t help but feel like I’ve failed. I even feel a little embarrassed to tell people what I’m doing at the age of 39.

Many of you are probably wondering why the hell I even took this job; I also wonder that lol 😅 I felt kind of obligated to take it because a good friend recommended me for the position. I also just need some sort of income since my husband and I have fallen into serious credit card debt this past year. My parents have pushed off their retirement to help us cover our mortgage & utilities, which I’m beyond grateful for, but I also feel terrible that they have to keep working to support me. So all of that made me feel like I had no choice but to take this, especially since it’s the only job offer I’ve received.

I know I don’t have to stay forever and I will continue to look for remote or hybrid job opportunities with better pay, but for now, this is the job I have to contend with.

Does anyone who also suffers from moderate-severe generalized anxiety or panic disorder have any tips on how to deal with this job? I’m incredibly anxious for tomorrow and already know I’ll likely not sleep. I do have medication, but sometimes when my anxiety spikes like crazy, it’s not quite enough.

Thank you immensely for any advice or just general support! I appreciate you all so much.

It’s been a couple years since I’ve been. I know it’s $1 to get in (at least I hope it’s still just $1).

But I can’t remember… do they allow outside beverages? Would love to snag a boba nearby to bring in if possible. I remember an agua fresca & horchata stand inside last time I went, so I assume outside beverages are okay?

I’ve tried posting multiple times, asking for closure on how he passed and if he’s at peace wherever he may now be, but I keep receiving an error when posting. I don’t feel like typing out paragraphs about him again; it’s draining.

If this post somehow makes it through, can someone please reply so I can share details of my dear friend? I desperately need closure and I think not knowing how he passed is what’s keeping me from moving forward.

I strongly suspect he ended things on his own terms, but I don’t know for certain since his obituary just discloses of his “sudden passing”.

Any help would be incredibly appreciated.

My best friend of 11 years is gone.

Since I moved 10 hours away, we spoke regularly on the phone, usually 1-3 days per week for 2 hours each call. I know my moving took a toll on him, but I felt the phone calls helped and we did visit each other whenever we could.

We both were severely struggling with life and shared what it meant to have depression and how we needed to just keep truckin’ along. Our calls would vary on subjects, but they always ended in a pretty positive tone.

I got the news that he’s permanently gone. I never met his family, but randomly came across a post about his passing and the memorial service on social media. The obituary was vague in just saying that he “passed unexpectedly”.

I don’t know if this is weird, but I’m just so fixated on finding out what happened. It’s messing with me so much mentally, particularly because we bonded a lot over our depressive disorders while also trying to support and encourage each other. I just, ugh, idk, I can’t sleep, I can’t function, because I’m worried that if he lost his mental health battle, maybe I will too.

It’s obviously inappropriate for me to ask his family what happened, especially since I don’t know them. I was one of a few friends he actually had - the other friend I know of was also shocked by his passing and had no idea if it was a car accident, alcohol poisoning, or an intentional taking of his life.

Is there any way to find out how he passed? Any way at all to find out if it was accidental or intentional? I’ve Googled all I can and keep hitting walls. All I get is his DOB and DOD, but nothing saying what caused him to move on at such a young age (41).

I just need closure.

Hi there!

I’m 39 and have been thinking (constantly) about going back to school for Psychology. I 1st thought about this 8 years ago, but now it’s all I can think of. First a BA followed by an MBA so I can be a Therapist; very likely I’d not pursue a PhD since I’m already so old and I don’t think the return on education investment would be worth it.

Anyway, I have my Associate’s Degree (from 17 years ago) in Architectural Design. I did not finish my Bachelor’s, but I did complete many higher level GE courses when I was attempting to get my BA.

My grandfather worked in Admissions for a university and literally handled everything for me when I initially went to school, so I’m kind of blind on what to do here since he passed 10 years ago and I can’t go to him for advice.

I don’t know what the best way is to see which completed courses of mine are transferable so I can get a better idea on how many credits are needed. Do I contact both colleges I attended for AA and BA to retrieve unofficial transcripts and manually input my completed courses into sites like Transferology? Or do I reach out to academic advisors for the 2 universities I’m interested in to have them help, even though I’ve not yet applied?

I’m sorry if this is a dumb question with an obvious answer. I suffer from multiple anxiety disorders, depression, and ADHD (hence why I think psychology would be a great field for me since I could offer real-world experience to future patients, plus I just want to help fellow mental health sufferers), but because of that I’m just extremely overwhelmed with the beginning stages of enrolling back into school. I truly appreciate all the advice & input!