Starting a new job: dealing with emotions

Change can be exciting, it can present new opportunities and sometimes it can be an enjoyable experience. However, sometimes change can bring its own challenges. For example if the change has been unplanned, such as the death of a loved or being diagnosed with a serious illness, then a person can sometimes feel out of control and can get frustrated and feel resentful at having to adjust to change.

There are many life events that will challenge us and being able to manage our reactions and emotions to these changes allow us to develop personally. This also develops our self-concept as we understand how to manage and react to certain emotions.

What emotions would a young person feel when starting a new job?

The usual emotions that a young person would face in this life-changing situation may include:

• Anxiety

• Loneliness

• Stress

• Fear

• Sadness

• Excitement

How would a young person react to the life changing experience of starting a new school?

If the young person is not happy about starting a new job, they may:

• withdraw until becoming comfortable with the new surroundings

• be nervous

• approach new tasks with caution and feel worried that they will not get tasks done properly.

• get worried about being slow at doing things first time

• find it difficult to sleep

• experience feelings of nausea

How could a young person positively manage this change?

A young person could:

• research what the change may be like. For example, if starting a job, finding out what the job will be like will help to reduce feelings of anxiety and worry and help the person adapt to the change more easily.

• enjoy the challenges and excitement of the change to see what other opportunities may happen as a result of this change.

• talk to friends and family about how their experiences. Sharing and discussing what they feel could help them understand their feelings, manage and work through this new change.

• talk to someone who has been through a similar experience as this can be comforting to the person that all will be okay and that someone has been through this before.

• seek professional support, by speaking to a GP, if the change is causing emotional health problems such as anxiety or stress. A GP could advise on the appropriate steps to take to help the young person.

• try to accept change through listening to music, exercising or using other complementary therapies such as massage or reflexology which could help the young person relax and not be so anxious about the change.

Check out the CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work Second Edition Textbook to find out more or check out: My Revision Notes: CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work: Second Edition

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