Guilty party #1
I’ve been talking to my cats Zim and Jack several times a day. I consider them my coworkers since I’m home more what with Covid-19 social distancing and moving my coaching and Sister Circles on-line.
Zim and Jack are crappy coworkers. I’d be calling HR about their harassment but I am HR.
They demand food at precise times of the day and are given to glaring at me nonstop through the window until I get my butt in gear. I swear they wear watches somewhere on their furry little bodies.
Now they’re moving from window to window like creepy voyeurs, keeping track of me as I make my way around the house.
They insist on getting petted and scratched behind the ears before they let me get off the porch. Or worse, if I’m trying to go somewhere (like the yard at this point) they wind themselves between my legs in desperate attempts to trip me.
I’m not sure of their point with this tactic but it’s really irritating.
I find them difficult to communicate with on this subject of attention. This really bugs me. My business is effective communications. I can’t hang out and pet them all day although they seem to think this is a perfectly reasonable request.
Here are the strategies I’ve tried:
- I fed them more often but then they gorged and threw up and/or they left the food untouched but continued to beg me for more food. If I leave the food outside I get raccoons or possums and they are WAY worse coworkers than the cats.
- I tried petting Zim and Jack for long periods of time until they wandered off looking satisfied. By the time I got back inside there they were, staring at me through the window with pathetically sad little “you’re neglecting us you heartless woman” eyes.
I’ve taken to hiding in my office where it’s more difficult for them to see me, wandering out to feed and pet them when I take a break. Net result is I’m getting a lot of work done.
If your home bound co-workers are giving you the run around and you’re feeling stressed, I’d love to work with you and brainstorm some coping solutions. Things like easy breathing techniques, skills to honestly communicate what you need and want and affirmations that this too shall pass. Plus I know a LOT about cats and how to make them happy. Send me a note and let’s connect! You can reach me here: Contact Me
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I work in a hospital as a Nurse Case Manager, discharge planner. I recently switched units that I work on, which means I am working with a whole new group of nurses. I worked on my prior unit for almost 3 years. As burned out as I was on that unit, the nurses on the unit were what kept me going. We could talk, laugh, and even cry with one another.
Now I am on a new unit with new nurses and it feels odd. This recent health crisis has not made it much easier, but at the same time I feel like it has accelerated the process more than impinging it. By my staying calm, keeping my collaboration and assistance always present, I think they are finding that sense of trust that I want them to have. I’m quite a bit older than most of them, more experience than some. Definitely a more broad knowledge base than they have simply because of my role. I hope I am sensing they’re opening up to me and accepting me.
Still, it is stressful and uneasy. Add the high tension in the hospital, and the chance that we might be deployed back to the bedside if staffing shortages become a problem, has me being more sensitive than I would like. I am already a highly sensitive person and I am working on not taking things so personally…because most times it has nothing to do with me. I am definitely getting an opportunity to exercise my new way of looking at myself and my place in the universe, especially from the Buddhist perspective. It’s a challenge, and I could use a little wisdom from like minded people to help me keep up the work relationship building with a tough crowd, with the Covid-19 playing in the background. I have gained a lot of wisdom in the last 9 plus years. I am here to share and receive. Be well!
Much love to you on this one. I know I replied to you personally, but I read this again today and it reminded me what a trooper you are!
Thanks! Love that Jack. He’s turned into a real furry lover since Zim passed away