Recent graduate cries 10 times after her 1st day of working at a new job because she didn't know what to do: 'I hate that we have to slave away for 40 years for a salary.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Aug 4, 2026 7:45 AM EDT

Do you think she can actually handle having a full-time job?

Starting a new job can be really stressful. You have no idea what you're doing on the first day, and you're at the mercy of whoever is training you. Luckily, most workplaces do not expect you to be an expert at your job on the first day. They know that it can take a year for you to really master everything you're supposed to do. If you sit around and scroll on your phone all day, you can expect to get fired within your first month. But if you're putting in effort and showing your bosses that you're trying to master the job, you have no reason to worry that you're going to get fired for no reason. 

Some people are just uncomfortable with being in new situations where they don't know what they're doing, which is fair, but it's necessary for learning and growing. If you never go on a bad date or try to push your mind in a new way, you're not going to be better for it. You won't be able to accept that failing a job interview isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. In order to do adult life right, you should be both enjoying what you're doing now and looking for the next big thing that you need to work hard to get. 

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  • New employee cries ten times in one night after coming home from her first day at her first job ever.
    via Blake Cheek (Unsplash+)

    New employee cries ten times in one night after coming home from her first day at her first job ever. 

    The woman in this photo is a model. 

  • I just had my first ever day of work. I have already been in tears 10 times since I got home.

    I just had my first day of work after graduating. It was so overwhelming and they really threw me into the deep end, if it wasn't for one nice coworker, I would have no idea what to do. The day also
    via u/derpsnotdead
  • dragged on and I could wait to leave at 16:30. The boss apparently leaves every day super early so after he left it felt like everyone was just chatting. I'm so scared of making mistakes or looking stupid.
    via u/derpsnotdead
  • I also really missed my dog lol. I can't believe I have to go back tomorrow, and it feels like I'm constantly on the verge of a panic attack. I hate that we have to slave away for 40 years for a sh salary.
    via u/derpsnotdead
  • It's been two hours since | got home and it felt like a few minutes, I don't want to go to bed because that means I have to go to work AGAIN
    via u/derpsnotdead
  • Development_Infinite I don't mean to be harsh, but I maybe your problems run deeper than work. Your reaction to a day of work seems extreme. Being constantly on the verge of a panic attack is not normal. Please take the time to look after your mental health, and look into counselling or professional help, because it doesn't have to be this way forever. If you're unsure or can't get one right now, YouTube as excellent material from real therapist/ experts (you'll have to filter to find) that will
    via u/Development_Infinite
  • derpsnotdead OP Thank you. I'm just very overwhelmed and I also do bad with change!
    via u/derpsnotdead
  • AuthorNamed Arthur Obviously I don't know the details of your situation, but I'll give my two cents - If your first shift is affecting you to this degree, I would consider looking for another job entirely. When I got my first full time job after college, my first day at that job was an absolute dumpster fire. Management was a joke and it was the longest 8 hours of my entire life. I came home and laid on the couch all night, defeated. I lasted 3 days at that job before I tapped out and quit. I go
    via u/AuthorNamedArthur
  • Of course, all full time jobs sok on some level. I am still at this second job 10 months later and while it is light years better than that first job, there are days where I want to have a mental breakdown. That is unfortunately a feature of late stage capitalism, but I assure you you can have a full time job that doesn't leave you in tears everyday. I wish you all the best! :)
    via u/AuthorNamedArthur
  • Fun-Significance4650 OP, have you been diagnosed with any anxiety disorder or evaluated for one? I have very similar feelings to yours when it comes to the traditional office job, and since being medicated it has made it all at least tolerable. Please know you are probably doing so much better than you think. Your anxiety lies to you a lot. Remember that any mistakes you do make really do not matter in the grand scheme of your life.
    via u/Fun-Significance4650
  • Odd_Fly3401 Welcome to adulthood
    via u/Odd_Fly3401
  • ChefCurry Yum Yum I hate when people go like "just toughen up man, that's life, we all deal with it." But you didn't mention that you got bu_ed, someone to you, you didn't really describe the was an a job so I'm sure how tough or not it is. But after your first day you had 10 sobbing sessions? That's rough. I hope it gets better for you!
    via u/ChefCurryYumYum
  • InfiniteOutfield What kind of work is it?
    via u/InfiniteOutfield
  • derpsnotdead OP Candidate attorney, in my country you have to do one or two years "internship" and then write 4 exams to get admitted as an attorney
    via u/derpsnotdead
  • A candidate attorney works in a law office before she officially becomes a lawyer in her country.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A candidate attorney works in a law office before she officially becomes a lawyer in her country. 

    The photo is a representation of the situation described. 

  • ManiacClown If you can't handle this, how are you going to handle the stress of being an actual attorney? I don't know about your country, but I'd imagine it's much the same as here in that the stress of the profession is no joke. You desperately need mental health treatment for what to me seems like an obvious anxiety disorder.
    via u/ManiacClown
  • An anxious woman, who can't handle working a full-time job, goes to therapy in order to help treat the root cause of her issues.
    via Andrej Lišakov (Unsplash+)

    An anxious woman, who can't handle working a full-time job, goes to therapy in order to help treat the root cause of her issues. 

    The image does not show the real people in this story.

  • Specialist-Neck-7810 If I were you, I start looking for another job. No job that reduces you to tears is worth it. Can you ask for a transfer to another internship? Do you have an advisor that oversees the internship process? If so, I would talk to them post haste. I know it feels overwhelming, and it sounds like you got thrown in the deep end. I'm assuming that your employer Has had inters before, do they have any training available for you? If not, that's another point to bring up with your ad
    via u/Specialist-Neck-7810
  • DancesWithHoofs C'mon. Stiff upper lip mate.
    via u/DancesWithHoofs
  • peeweemom Totally natural first day feelings. It will get better. Actually sounds great that the boss leaves early and then it gives everyone time to be more relaxed/chat.
    via u/peeweemom
  • Qyle Grow up dude
    via u/Qyle
  • wellaby788 First ever day at work? How old are you 15?
    via u/wellaby788

    This story is a case for why teenagers should have a horrible customer service job, so that their first foray into the workplace isn't in a full-time job that they need to pay their bills. 

  • fuossball101 You know, most people are pretty excited about a new job and look forward to learning as much as the can to max out their potential in that role. You seem to have the wrong mindset and will be completely miserable as a professional. Get used to it because this is the rest of your life.
    via u/fuossball101
  • taintedmilk18 Not knowing what to do during the first couple of weeks is normal. Reasonable humans should and almost always dont expect people to 100% grasp the details of the job on the first day or week. A new environment can be a lot but youre doing it :) over time itll be ok and you will be used to it.
    via u/taintedmilk18

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Sad social anxiety boss new grad lawyer work coworkers graduate new job working Office law firm crying law
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