Today my boss at my job was unexpectedly personal and friendly with me which believe it or not is a problem. As long as work is about work, I can put on my Professional Work Persona and deal with people. But when someone starts asking about me, my life, and my mother it gets harder to know what to say without saying too much or just flat out lying. My boss sure doesn't need to know that I'm standing on the edge of hell feeling like I'm about to fall in and that even the most tedious parts of my job are a welcome escape - and I didn't say that, but what I did say revealed more than I was comfortable with in hindsight. I've become so isolated personally that whenever I do have to be social and talk about who I am, what's happening in my life, I'm awkward, don't know what to say or say things that reveal too much pain to people who I don't really trust with that information. Anybody else struggle with this?
I have found that when I deed share my pain or personal story with a person that I trusted, it seemed to make them feel closer to me and actually, gave them permission to share things about their life. I was glad that I did it.
Anyhow....fast forward a couple of years.....I am embarrased to say that I was in a grocery store...no make up, hair not done, jeans and sweater. One of my former work acquaintances came up to me and was absolutely gushing about how good I looked...... (WHAT???? Seriously....Need your eyes checked...haha) Any how, she said you look so relaxed......So I wonder what I actually looked like working 60 hours a week, taking care of my own family and dementia father who had daily crisis adventures.......
Anyhow, do not beat yourself up....take each day as you can....and try in some small way to find a way to take care of yourself, even if it means asking for some help !
Your boss may be concerned more with your work performance than anything else, and was looking for reassurance that you can keep your end up.
Now it is my turn with my tale of woe as my Dad is now into the short term memory mode... but I need to remember to keep it short as my boss tend to be the town crier and will gossip big time.
As for anyone else, if there is a common bond, then I will yak up a storm.