I want to plant a seed that can slowly germinate in the back of your mind.
What would it mean to you for your job to be “better”?
Is there anything you have control over that might make a difference?
What is the smallest thing you could do?
If thinking about your job feels like a dead-end, try going bigger (what would make your life better) or smaller (what would make next semester better, or what would make next week better).
Image by Amy Crook, Antemortem Arts, used with permission
If this little guy turns up…
… try being curious.
Write down what he says without judgement. Just listen.
Then go back to the other questions, but maybe phrase them this way:
Even if it’s impossible to change anything, what would “better” look like for me?
Even though I don’t have control over anything significant, is there anything, however small, that I do have control over that might make a difference?
Even if small things feel thoroughly insignificant, what is one small step I could try?
You can replace the part between the “Even though” and the comma with whatever it is that your gremlins are particularly overwrought about.
If you need help dealing with the gremlins, I recommend the Monster Manual & Coloring Book from The Fluent Self.
