I really don't know what job i can do, please help

Hangouts Adulting
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I can’t seem to do admin and operational-based jobs with several tasks and especially those where rules can be open to interpretation. For example, organising emails/files according to category but when a file fits 2 categories, I choose the one that’s a better fit and somehow I always choose wrong. It’s like I cannot trust my own judgement. I’ve been terminated from several ‘simple’ admin jobs because of things like this. when there are too many procedures and processes to follow i start to panic, for example in an admin assistant job they gave me the SOP document and i read it but the amount of information in there was making me panic so much that i had an anxiety attack at work.

I also struggle with fast-pace reactive tasks like driving, i panic and always miss out steps like engaging handbrake, knowing which correct lane to turn into, etc. I’ve been scolded during driving lesson for this and told that I’m not cut out for driving, and i kept crying so I quit learning.

It seems like I cannot even do the jobs most people can do. I feel really useless and stupid for always failing at these simple tasks and I always wonder what’s wrong with me.

I have a general degree in social sciences from local uni but i didn’t score well enough to work in the field that most of my cohort mates went into (government and teaching) so it’s not very helpful

i love creative writing but I was told at copywriting interviews that I’m not creative enough, so I also stopped chasing that interest.

I’m really at a loss on what to do, was thinking of going into retail but people are telling me that at my level, i shouldn’t do it. i feel like no one understands and i don’t even understand why my brain just cannot do all these easy tasks properly. it’s caused me to have very bad self-esteem and social anxiety (i cannot trust my own judgement because it has failed me many times) and a lot of self-hatred wondering why other people can find and do jobs but i cannot.

i really think there’s something wrong with me and i don’t know what it is. need some help to tell me if i have some cognitive processing issue or suggestions on what jobs i can do. thank you!

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Hi, I totally understand your situation! Sometimes when I read pages of texts my eyes skip over certain words which often makes me misinterpret what I’m reading.

I once saw this quote, “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” which highlights that we should depend on our strengths to perform tasks instead of starting out with our weaknesses.

There’s nothing “wrong” with you at all, we all have our own innate traits. If you struggle with those tasks, you may just be unsuitable for those specific tasks

you could also try this quiz, it can help you identify what you’re looking for in a career.

wishing you all the best!

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Hey @user8554. Thank you for trusting this space with something so personal. I’m really sorry you’ve been carrying so much self-blame for experiences that may not actually be a personal failing. From what you’ve shared, it sounds less like you can’t do simple tasks and more like your nervous system goes into overwhelm when tasks involve unclear rules, high stakes, or fast, reactive decisions. When that happens, even very capable people can freeze, panic, or miss steps and especially when there’s pressure to do things right.

I also hear how much you care about doing things properly. That desire to do well is not a flaw, but when expectations are unclear, it can actually increase anxiety rather than reduce it. Over time, repeated criticism can make it understandably hard to trust your own judgement, even when you’re already trying your best.

I want to pause and acknowledge how much resilience you’ve already shown. Each time you stepped into a new role, even after being criticized or let go before, you were still giving yourself another chance to see whether it might be a better fit. That takes courage, even when past experiences made it scary.

From the outside, it may look like “repeated failure”. But from another perspective, you’ve been actively learning about yourself: what kind of environments overwhelm you, what triggers panic, and what your mind and body need in order to function more safely. That kind of self-knowledge is hard-earned, and it matters.

I know it might not feel this way right now, but what I see is someone who keeps trying despite fear, shame, and self-doubt, and not someone who is incapable. You deserve work and support that fits how you function, rather than having to constantly force yourself into roles that reinforce self-hatred.

The quiz that @Rozumi shared is a good platform to start narrowing down careers that suits you. If and when you feel ready, talking to a professional like a career coach or a counsellor can be a supportive way to understand your experiences without judgement. It can be an opportunity to understand your work challenges more clearly and explore strategies that suit how you function.

I really hope you’re able to be gentler with yourself as you continue figuring things out, okie? You don’t have to rush to make sense of everything all at once. Taking things slowly is completely okay :yellow_heart: Wishing you moments of ease and clarity as you take things one step at a time :sunflower: