I’m getting positive feedback and it’s scary
Context. Have been abused in practically all aspects, however the verbal and psychological abuse has affected me more.
So, I have a new office manager at my job. She’s wonderful. My last office manager was extremely triggering. I was constantly being criticized, and when I would ask for help, I felt like I was being judged. Almost every single meeting I had with her was essentially her telling me how bad of a job I’m doing. This started after I made a comment on me feeling like I need to be a manager when she’s gone (Which wasn’t good. I know that. However it was actually pretty true).
My current boss has actually been giving me great feedback. If there is something to work on, then I do it. If she wants to tell me that I’m doing a good job, then I feel a lot better. It’s a new adjustment for me. Well, I’m starting to get noticed at work. Upper management is encouraging her to get me started on a possible promotion. I’m having more tasks put on me. This is fine. I can handle it. I’m having therapists at my work tell her that I’m doing a great job, and they appreciate the work I do. We are encouraged to ask for reviews from patients (I’m a receptionist), and I currently have the most positive reviews that mention my name. Specifically 5, and they mention that I’m sweet and great at my job. I work with 2 other people for context.
I won’t lie, being noticed right now is really scary. My whole life I made it a point to not get noticed. 1, if I got noticed, I would be abused. My accomplishments would be picked apart. 2, I don’t think I’m ever doing good enough. I feel like nothing I do is good enough. I have this awful voice in my head telling me that I’m never going to be good enough, even though I see obvious signs that I am doing good enough, and that I’m actually going far and beyond. The whole concept of me being possibly promoted is scary. I’m scared that I’ll mess up. Now, I have people actually knowing who I am. Not in a in-depth way, or it’s more that I’m recognizable. My name is out there. Luckily it’s not my legal name, as I go by something different. Either way, I’m still scared.
I ended up crying after work because I got praised so much today. I’m not used to it at all. It feels nice, because my work is actually being noticed, but it’s so scary. I touched a bit on it with my boss, but she doesn’t know how much I’ve gone through. Every therapist I’ve had has told me that I have a severe case of CPTSD. I don’t even really like sharing much of my experiences here, as I start to disassociate and isolate. I feel like isolating right now, but I’m trying not to do that.
Does anyone else have a fear of being noticed, or difficulty with accepting praise? I feel really alone in this. I feel like it makes me sound like I’m not grateful for it. I really am. It means a lot, but I’m so scared of something bad happening. I don’t know how to accept this. I would talk to my therapist, but they are currently leaving the practice. I have to try and find a new one, which I’m dreading because I was getting ready to start talking about my experiences more in depth.