You know the type, probably a good father or worker, but serious faced all the time, never smiles, often in a bad mood, very cynical. It’s just I feel like I’m on the path to this, I’m 28, just escaped 12 years of food service so I’m already super cynical and if someone comes up to me, I’m super ready to shut down whatever’s about to happen. I feel like working with customers for years I’ve learned to have giant walls up and I can’t seem to remove them. I see the other guys in the factory I’m working at laughing and joking all the time, I think of myself as funny but it’s always deadpan humor and I wish I could genuinely smile and laugh and make friends with the other guys. Any old timers or well travelers out there have any advice?

  • Bluefruit@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    My advice? Sounds like you could use some therapy. Genuinely therapy is really helpful for sorting out these issues.

    You sound like you may be dealing with more than just burn out. Of course im not a medical professional and i dont know you well enough to really make any fair assessment but just talking things out with someone would likely be beneficial.

    If you can’t afford therapy, talking things out with a friend may help as well but as they wont be trained to deal with this, it may or may not be helpful. It can help but its not a replacement for professional help unfortunately. I speak from experience but ymmv.

    I worked in CS so i know it sucks. I hope things get better for you.

    • yokonzo@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      I’ve got no qualms against going back to therapy, it’s been some years. Only thing is I’ll have to wait till November when I can get on my works insurance plan

      • snek_boi@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        In case you don’t know about it and its effectiveness, you could read about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. You could watch Steven Hayes Ted Talk (or other talks) or read his Liberated Mind book.

  • delicious_justice@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Practicing what I call Micro Pleasantries helps me feel good about life. Can be as simple as complimenting someone on their awesome new shoes or giving up your seat on the bus (or allowing someone to merge) It makes me feel better and hopefully makes someone feel better , too.

    • Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      This. I try to do give a stranger at least one genuine compliment whenever I go out. It helps keep me positive and aware.

  • AverageCakeSlice@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Well, self awareness goes a long way, so you’re on the right path. Lots of people get crotchety and cynical by focusing too much on things that are outside their control. Focus more on areas of your life that you can influence, and learn to enjoy your life for what it is rather than what it could be.

    Honestly, if you’re the type of person who’s prone to this, disengaging from hyper cynical social media platforms (yes, including Lemmy) is probably another good idea.

    My dad used to be super into politics and consumed rage-bait news on TV and social media a lot, especially during the height of covid. Once he unplugged from all of that there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor and I would say that he’s significantly happier and more content now.

    • can@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      disengaging from hyper cynical social media platforms (yes, including Lemmy)

      Ideally, but I found on reddit that highly curating my subscriptions (including pretty much removing all defaults) helped too.

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’m not sure how much I can help except to reassure you that your personality does not have to be a straight line into “grumpy old man”.

    When I was your age, I was also pessimistic, sarcastic, cynical, with deadpan humor. I probably wasn’t a fun person to be around. Now that i’m twice your age, i’m optimistic, positive, pleasant and friendly, and love goofy humor and Dad Jokes. My politics have skewed way left, and I regularly try to interject some hope into discussions with disillusioned young adults. Don’t worry about a thing 'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright

    My best guess for why I changed, was having kids. Some of it was to light up the path of their lives, some of it was seeing the light through their eyes, but I think it was mostly joining them. I first saw the light at a cabin in the Adirondacks when I snuck out early before anyone was up so I could feed my newborn his first bottle at the top of the nearby mountain. I could look around, do the Lion King thing to proclaim the world as his. But it got better as he got older and I rediscovered my inner child and the simple joy of playing. Now he’s the serious kid going into college worrying about his future, the environment, etc, and I’m the goofball making him laugh, showing hope and optimism about the future, letting him know every little thing is gonna be alright l

  • Boiglenoight@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Don’t worry about it, accept it as a stage of life and do it with style. Start cataloging a lot of zingers aimed at young people being foolish and practice your delivery of the word “dumbass” so that it can be used to end most sentences.

  • average650@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    One thing no one seems to be mentioning, is finding a purpose. A reason that things are worth it even when they aren’t good.

    What is your reason for living, your hope, even when shit hits the fan?

    • yokonzo@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      My purpose is my art and my animations, only thing is this new job is extremely demanding time and energy wise compared to anything I’ve had, so I barely have time to get home and create anymore

    • Guy Dudeman@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      This is crucial. Even if that thing is just enjoying a nice walk in the morning or finding the best burger in town or playing pinball. The point is to make yourself have something to look forward to. That’s all that keeps me going.

  • Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    1 year ago

    As someone near your age who had worked in Food Service for a similar amount of time; I highly recommend you talk to your GP about getting some help. I came out feeling the exact same way, but ignored it. That was the wrong thing to do, and getting medical help has made a huge difference.

    It’s kinda freaky reading your post honestly. I even worked on Factory lines after kitchens and had a similar experience.

  • rouxdoo@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    After reading the other replies I went back and re-read your post to check…you don’t mention a partner or any significant other. I think you might be focusing too hard inward (bad mood, cynical, walls up) and not focusing outward (cherishing interactions with others, forming or maintaining bonds with others). Perhaps you’re feeling lonely?

    I am a grump but my wife won’t let me get away with it for long. I am cynical but my friends call me on it because I force myself to share. My work puts me in contact with new people every day and I actively seek an understanding of them and have to let them see who I am in order to be good at my job.

    Another respondent said “put yourself out there”. I agree but would also add seek out interactions with others and be a participant not an observer.

    • yokonzo@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      So I do have a partner, we spend a lot of time together and I’m actually quite happy relationship wise, however I’m not very happy friend wise, I have some online friends but no real friends and have trouble talking to other guys, I’ve never been much for bro talk

      • Today@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Making friends as an adult is hard. Is there something you like to do that occurs outside your home? We used to play darts on Tuesdays - not with a group, just the two of us - and found that the same people were often at the bar each week. Would have been pretty easy to invite someone to play. Anywhere that people gather fairly regularly can be a good meeting place. Also, volunteering can help with negativity and can be a good place to meet people. Feeling better about yourself makes you more attractive/approachable to other people.

      • rouxdoo@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I’m glad you have someone to lean on - that’s what makes the difference for me. I also don’t do bro - hate sports, don’t like pranks. I don’t have many friends but the ones I have are solid and dependable. I see my best friend less than monthly but we talk several times a day to share work complaints, discuss food or what we’re currently binging on TV.

  • calabast@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    I think one thing you can do is just practice smiling. Smiling sends you good brain chemicals, even if you’re not happy. Maybe those other guys joke and laugh with each other, but not you, because when they see your serious face, they think you don’t want to interact with them. If you smile when you overhear their jokes, they may rope you in. And people just like seeing someone smile. (Generally. If people start looking worried and edging away from you slowly, maybe dial it back a little.)

    One other thing I think of as a hallmark of crotchety people is reacting to any development pragmatically or even pessimistically. A lot of things that happen in life could be interpreted in multiple ways, and you can try to focus on the positive sides of things. Boss asks you to do extra work? Maybe it’s an opportunity to impress them, or develop a new skill. Car won’t start? Well, it IS nice out, and it feels good to go for a walk. I know that isn’t always easy to do, often times a thing happens that is just crappy. But try to practice it whenever you get a chance, until it becomes a habit.

    Additionally, since that’s not always reliable, make a habit at the end of the day to think of and say out loud 3 things that happened that you were grateful for that day. They can be big broad things like “I’m glad I’m healthy” or even “I’m glad my back didn’t hurt like usual” or really specific like “I’m glad Tony said he’d cover my shift at work, he didn’t have to do that.”

    • LeanFemurs@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      ☝️underrated comment. I’ve been doing remote tech support & customer service for a few years and taught myself to smile whenever I’m typing out a message to a customer. Even though the customer can’t see it, it nudges my head in the right direction and makes the work more tolerable.

      • charliespider@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        You are literally bio-hacking your brain by doing this. It seems counterintuitive but your mood is partially controlled by a feedback loop in your brain, and smiling will essentially force other parts to get on board the happy train.