Anxiety - New Job starting after 6 months jobless

[user1841]

Hello,

I have been jobless for slightly more than 6 months and when I went for interviews, I kept getting rejected but fortunately I just landed myself an offer, and is starting in a week plus.

I still need to go for prehealth screening coming week, submitted documents for background checks and gave my references for them to call.

But I cannot help but keep feeling anxious that something bad will happen, that they will rescind the offer because of healthchecks. Even though I’m pretty sure I’m generally fine in health except for those common ailments like high cholesterol, mild hypertension.

I’m excited to start, but yet negative thoughts keep coming in, making me very anxious.

People are supposed to feel elated to land a job after 6 months but my anxiety and negativity keeps creeping in like something bad will happen.

[FuYuan_Affections]

Hey @user1841,

I want to start by acknowledging just how much you’ve been juggling—landing a job offer after six months of searching is a huge accomplishment. But it’s clear from what you’ve shared that the excitement of this success is being overshadowed by a lot of anxiety and fear. It’s really understandable that, after such a long period of uncertainty, these feelings might creep in and make it difficult to fully embrace the positive news.

So it seems that perhaps the constant thinking about what might go wrong and focusing on potential negatives actually makes sense, even though there’s no clear reason to doubt the job offer.

What you have described, sounds like you’re in a constant internal struggle, torn between the excitement of this opportunity and the fear of it slipping away. You mentioned worrying about the health check and references, despite knowing that your health issues, like high cholesterol and mild hypertension, aren’t major concerns. This kind of anticipatory anxiety is common when we feel like we’ve been waiting for something for so long, and the fear of it slipping away can be really overwhelming.

It’s important to recognise that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many people experience anxiety when something important is at stake, especially after a long period of uncertainty. The fact that you’re feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re not capable or that the situation isn’t going to work out—it’s just a sign that you care deeply about this opportunity. That being said, it’s important to give yourself space to relax and trust that things will unfold as they should.

Is there anyone you can talk to right now, like a friend or family member, to help you work through these feelings? Sometimes just talking about it can help ease some of the anxiety. And as you move forward, I would encourage you to take small steps to focus on the tasks at hand—like preparing for the health check and submitting the necessary documents—rather than fixating on worst-case scenarios.

You’ve done the hard work to get here, and that shows your strength and resilience. Try to remind yourself that you’ve earned this opportunity, and it’s okay to feel excited rather than anxious. And if at any point you feel overwhelmed, remember that there are professional resources, such as counsellors, who can help you navigate these anxious feelings in a healthy way.

Take it one step at a time, and remember, this is just one chapter in your journey.

[ZenCat]

@user1841 Landing an offer after six months of rejections is a huge accomplishment, and it shows your persistence and resilience. So kudos to you on that!

Personally, I feel that the fact that you’re feeling anxious and nervous about this whole situation now that you’ve gotten an offer is actually a sign that you care deeply about doing well and being successful in your new role—this desire to perform is a strength itself.

Given that it’s your first job, it’s natural for your mind to have doubts, especially when things are starting to feel like they are finally falling into place. To be frank, I’ve recently moved into my 3rd job a few months, and I still get the new job jitters. So you’re not alone in this!

Starting something new always comes with uncertainty, but take comfort in the fact that you’ve made it this far, and that in itself shows you’re capable of overcoming challenges. Trust that you’ve done everything right, and try to focus on the excitement of the new opportunity ahead. You’ve earned it!

[user1841]

Hey thanks for the replies.

This is not my first job though,. I’m in my 40s and the rejections are brutal even though I feel I can do the job..

Nonetheless it’s good news that I signed the offer letter and the employment letter.

But the healthcheck for preemployment certainly sent me jitters and sent my anxiety running high.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol is one thing.. the healthcheck also found out I had microscopic hematuria - blood in urine but not visible. Which could be caused by kidney disease or stones or just simply UTI or strenuous exercise..

I know this sounds ridiculous, even though the doctor said nobody fails preemployment checks because of blood in the urine but it makes me so worried because the employment agreement clause indicates I can be terminated if I fail my preemployment health checks..

I’ve been through so much just to get this job and all these looming over my head dont make it better. I know these are all not within my control. I’ve done as much as I can but the stakes are high.. I’ve got mortgages all that to pay.. I’m so tired from all these and so afraid of losing this job.

I know I sound paranoid but I guess having experienced what happened in my previous company and how I was managed out brutally in my previous company with very minor clauses made me distrustful of the entire corporate world, had certainly traumatized me.

[knd]

Heyy, it really sounds like you’ve been carrying a heavy load—not just from being out of work for six months, but also from the emotional weight of rejection, uncertainty, and the way things ended at your previous job : ( That kind of experience can leave lasting marks, and it makes complete sense that you’d feel anxious even now, when something good has finally come your way.

First of all, it’s not paranoia—it’s a very human response to a lot of stress, disappointment, and fear. Your body and mind are trying to protect you from being hurt again, which is why even now, when you’re holding that signed offer letter in your hands, there’s still this undercurrent of dread. It’s like your nervous system hasn’t caught up with the good news yet.

Your anxiety is valid. But also, you’ve done everything right so far. You got the offer. You’re doing the checks. You’ve submitted your documents. You’re showing up, step by step. That takes strength, especially when your mind is trying to prepare for the worst. It’s okay to acknowledge both: the fear, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going despite it.

It feels like the stakes are high—and they are—but that’s exactly why your body is reacting this way. It’s not that you’re weak; it’s that this matters so much to you. And that’s also why you deserve to breathe a little now, to remind yourself: I’ve done what I can. I am showing up. I am enough.

If the fear gets overwhelming, try this—whenever a “what if” creeps in, pair it with a “what is.”
What if they rescind the offer?
Well, what is true is that you signed the letter. You’re starting in a week. You’ve been medically cleared to the best of the doctor’s knowledge.

This job doesn’t erase the pain of the last few months or your previous experience, but it is a fresh start—and you deserve to walk into it with hope. You’re not alone in how you’re feeling, and there is nothing wrong with being cautious, even if the world tells you to be overjoyed.

You’re doing so well, truly. Please be gentle with yourself. And if you ever need to vent, we’re right here!