Dear Dr. Mimi: Stressy Bessy

Dear Dr. Mimi:
I started this job six months ago, and my life has not slowed down since. The demands of the position have me running all over the place. A lot of last-minute tasks come up, and I have to adjust my personal life—what is left of it—to get the jobs done. My boss asks me if I’m OK, and I keep saying “yes” to him, but I can feel my stress levels rising. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I feel like I’m running myself ragged and don’t see an end in sight.
—Stressy Bessy

Dear Stressy Bessy:
Working your passion is a dream come true, right up until your job starts overworking you. Be sure to pace yourself with tasks so you do not end up experiencing burnout. It sounds like your boss is checking in on you, and you are not being honest about your stress level. That is not fair to either of you. Be honest. Let him know that you love your job but you are getting stressed. Be specific about what is working and what is not. Only then can things be adjusted so that your stress level will go down.
—Dr. Mimi


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