Czarina Burrito's Journal: My boss suggested that I seek counseling.

For real. He was like "I hope I'm not overstepping my boundaries when I say this, but there are people...who can help you."

Now that's what I call a successful pre-review meeting. Or not. It was exhausting. All two hours and five minutes of it. I may have overshared, but at least I didn't tell him about the time when I was three years old and I cried and hid behind my mom's legs when I saw my very nice and friendly pre-school teacher in the grocery store. I really liked her.

This was when?

[TechnoLust]

before or after the meeting? or during? I just can't wrap my mind about how this could be an appropriate thing to say. I need more context.

Re:

[Czarina Burrito]

During the meeting, but it was only the two of us. I hope it's good for at least half a percent of pity raise. Is there such a thing as a pity raise? There'd better be. He also told me that I should tell him what my goals are, even if they are something like "in five years I want to live in Madagascar."

Re:

[nizo]

Maybe you can ask for extra money so you can afford a counselor?

I hate coming up with a five year plan; hell I can barely stand to spend the time to plan dinner in advance.

Re:

[StalinsNotDead]

I hate coming up with a five year plan

My response to the last time someone told me to come up with a five year plan: "You know who else had five-year plans? Joe Stalin. Look how those turned out for everybody."

Re:

[TechnoLust]

I just always answer, "To increase our bottom line by 400%, and get approval from marketing to have our logo tattooed on my right bicep!"

Re:

[Czarina Burrito]

I dodged the question by telling him that was a nice country. Then he started talking about monkeys.

did he

[subgeek]

did he give you the list of reasons he thinks you need help? is it that you don't see the world the way he does?

Re:

[Czarina Burrito]

I'm quiet. I admit that it does actually affect my job performance and the way I fit in with the group.

Re:

[subgeek]

here are some opinions of mine.

being introverted isn't a disease. more extroverted people don't always seem to get that the reasons less introverted people spend time alone aren't the same reasons they might. understanding your introversion can help you relate to others, but you may or may not need counseling to get there. something that helps me is trying to see things the way an extrovert might. it makes me more likely to see how others might interpret my quietness/loner behaviors.

What am I missing?

[TopShelf]

You "overshared", and your boss suggested that you perhaps get some help. Isn't that preferable to sticking his fingers in his ears and yelling, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU"?

Re:

[Czarina Burrito]

It's not because I'm cutting myself or anything. It's because I don't talk very much by nature.

Same here!

[janeowit]

Although technically it was my summer intern project.

Trish was supposed to do research on the stability of the refrigerator drugs, how long you can have them out of the fridge, if you can re-refrigerate them after they have been out, and if they will still be good, for example.

I was supposed to get mental help.