grahatiaffxiv: underwaterlookingupatyou: kittenofdoomage:thinkwritexpress-official:fuckingconver
grahatiaffxiv: underwaterlookingupatyou: kittenofdoomage: thinkwritexpress-official: fuckingconversations: dovewithscales: thatmadhatter: Okay, but THIS. My therapist only recently understood that when I said, “I don’t know how to make this phone call or make this appointment.” I very literally meant I didn’t know what to do. I can dial the phone, but what do I say EXACTLY? What questions are going to be asked? What do I need to have on hand? What if they ask me something I don’t know the answer to? I’m one of those people that needs very specific and detailed instructions if I’m doing something for the first time. Be patient with people. We all have our struggles. Sometimes it can make all the difference in the world knowing someone can spare a few minutes to care about you and walk you through something that’s hard for you. HOW TO MAKE AN IMPORTANT ADULT CALL FOR THE FIRST TIME From an adult who has been doing this for about a decade now: Remember that about 10% of any office’s weekly call volume is from people just like you who have never done this in their life. The mass majority of people who run dentist offices, insurance claim call centers, whatever - remember what it’s like to be completely new, and are generally happy to explain the steps and re-phrase themselves if you let them know what you’re having trouble with, and are kind and patient with them. You’re not inconveniencing them. You’re not burdening them. Call center folks are 1000x happier to speak with someone who is earnestly trying and needs some basic help on super simple things, instead of a pissy long-time customer who demands free shit. You are a bright spot in their day. A chance to actually help. So! Here’s the steps: Keep reading I can’t tell you how much I needed this. I had to ring my car insurance yesterday, which I’ve never had to do before. It was terrifying. BUT when I explained to the call center person, including calling myself a useless adult who can’t adult, and they were very kind. It’s always worth saying “I’ve never done this before” because they’re usually a kind human (apart from P.B in my office, who I won’t name, but you get her on the phone and good lord, you’ll want to throw yourself out a window. I think she wants you to throw yourself out the window too) who will assist you however they can. My anxiety is the worst when im in a situation where I don’t know the script, such as doing something, or making a call, that I haven’t before. I need to know what I’m doing or I freak out.but i’ve been working on it and here are some things I’ve learned:-be honest, tell them you don’t know what you’re doing or that you are nervous. Most customer service people will help you more than normal if you say this.-ask “so… what do I have to do in order to ____?” This is a life saver for me. I go from having no idea and tons of anxiety, to having a basic idea and a lot less anxiety. -Practice. And I don’t mean in your bed room. Make calls, do things you havent done before. The more you do it the easier it gets. I know its horrifying to think of, (you should have seen my face when my therapist told me to just make random calls to get used to having the wrong phone number) but it does help. - take a deep breath and JUST DO IT. The longer you put it off the harder it is to do. set a time to do it, and get it over with. You’ll feel better faster. (when it comes to calls I like to just start making the call before I even think about it too much, so i don’t make myself anxious, I just jump in.)Think about it this way, there are a lot of people out there who don’t know what they are doing, but think the do with complete unearned confidence. If they can fumble through life, you can too! At least you are trying not to be a trouble. JUST DO IT !No joke, that stuff is helpful for me. -- source link