How to Cope with a Toxic Work Environment
Oof— this one really gets me. I’ve been in plenty of toxic work environments (calling all baristas*)
It can be highly debilitating to work under toxic stress. We spend more waking hours at work than we do our home. One unhappy environment can seep discontent in every area of our life. From sexual misconduct to managers that only look out for themselves— it can be excruciating to have to show up, put on a smile + deal with life battles. Customer service takes the cake for difficulty when you aren’t in a supportive environment. Out of my 9 years of working as a barista to put myself through school, I only spent my last year at a shop that had a supportive environment and it made all of the difference (shoutout to Castle Coffee in ABQ, NM). In prior shops, I experienced sexual harassment, bullying from coworkers and managers, and a completely unsupportive environment to my family circumstances. Now, even out of customer service I still carry bits of the pain and trauma I endured working in toxic environments. My current and lovely boss (Hi Sarah!) and I have talked at length about how a supportive work environment can change the atmosphere of how you show up to your job. In the field of therapy, it’s not only wanted but it’s necessary.
Here are my tips on how to cope with a toxic environment:
1. Get in with good community
Healthy and supportive friendships can make a world of difference in how you can decompress after a stressful day.
2. Find one trusted co-worker
Someone that you can vent to + share the muck with doesn’t solve your problems, but it helps to know other people may be suffering too.
3. Set boundaries
You’re allowed to take time off & have a healthy work-life balance. Don’t allow higher-ups to bully you into believing that you don’t. If you need to be home to spend time with partners or kids, set boundaries that allow space for that. Conversations can take place with a third party if need be.
4. Find activities outside of work + be dedicated to them
I think in the western world we can be all-consumed by making a living that we lack to have fun or lose ourselves in our jobs. I truly believe this is not how life was meant to be lived. Get outside, take off your shoes, walk in the grass. Play your favorite sport, or go on a run with your pup!
5. If you’re absolutely miserable- leave.
This can be coming from a place of privilege and I want to recognize that not everyone has this option. I also believe that we can be so compressed by the pain we’re in, making it hard to see any other option. Talk with a close friend or family member about what your options may be + find wisdom in the people around you. Connections are everything; we can’t make connections sitting in isolation. This may be an uncomfortable transition, but the light is brighter on the other side. There is nothing that transcends peace of mind.
6. Know that everything is temporary
You will not be here forever. You are not stuck forever. Your coworkers + your boss will not be right where they are forever. Things can change and will. Time is only temporary.
Best of wishes ~ xx
