Am I a complete door mat?
By abuc5a
@abuc5a (11)
January 24, 2009 2:49pm CST
I am a teacher and have been teaching for about five years. I love teaching and being in the classroom but I never seem to just be able to teach. I find that if anyone needs anything then they come and ask me and they know I'll do it. Now I find myself trying to do the jobs of four people all at the same time and I am so down and depressed all of the time. I've asked for help and I am promised it but never get it. I find it hard to say no to people as I always seem to have low self-esteem and I find myself feeling that I have failed if I can't do something.
Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can get myself out of the rut that I have got myself into. I want to live life instead of working all hours of the day and living to work!
2 responses
@HARDHEAD (2)
• United States
24 Jan 09
Oh boy, does that sound familiar. I was in just about the same position and asked the same questions of an old friend. Her response to me was, every time someone asks you to drop what you are doing and do them "a favor", simply say that I will go do that for you if you will finish what I already have started. It is okay to help people but learning to say no is a very liberating feeling. I started practicing on my sons. You would be surprised how smart they are, it did not take more than a few times for them to say I can do it myself.
@explorations (1712)
• United States
24 Jan 09
I know EXACTLY what you mean and I used to be EXACTLY the same way. Pick up a copy of "The Power of NO" and read it...twice. Ever since I read this book...twice...I've been able to really stand firm with my ability to say no without feeling guilty or experiencing the loss of peers or friends.
