Surviving The Fury And The Shame Of A Failed Office Romance (for Women Only)
Getting Over the Pain of an Office Romance
A botched romance is always a devastating experience for women and crushing if you have been dating a co-worker openly. When he suddenly dumps you for reasons you cannot figure out, you will never know where to look - at the ceiling or at the floor? The problem could have been managed differently and discreetly if the affair was with someone not connected with the office, but what can you do to survive the daily encounters with your ex?
You cannot smash his head with one of your desk clocks, or erase his computer files just to get even. Though revenge is inviting, do not stoop to this level. Doing so would erode your professional image and annihilate chances for a promotion.
These handyl pointers from survivors are sensible solutions to your predicament:
* Act as if you are okay. Continue to be your usual cheerful self and focus on your work, never mind if there are raised eyebrows because your ex is chasing another girl at the water cooler.
* Surreptitiously remove his picturefrom the digital frames of your atomic clocks at home and in the office. There is no reason to do this with fanfare. Switch it with your cat’s image to make you feel better.
* Be a professional. Don’t talk to him unless it is work-related; when you do, call him by his name preceded with a Mister, but smile to show the world you are not wretchedness.
* Do not quit your job no matter how much you itch to get away. The backstabbers will have their heyday if you do. But if the new job offers a bigger pay and a nice (read far away) location, get it. Announce the reasons later to nip in the bud malicious speculations.
* Keep mum. Do not demean yourself by blabbing. You do not have to give a blow-by-blow detail of your break-up to the girl in the next cubicle.
* Keep yourself busy and stay away from the water cooler until things die down, but be active in office activities and socials.
* Don’t expect you can forget him in a month. At times it takes a year to mend emotionally. Fortunately, the pain just vanishes and you will be your usual self again, so why waste more tears?
* Avoid him but don’t be too obvious about it; doing so would start a conflagration of speculations.
* RemoveGet rid of the desk accessories he gave you plus that widget from his nautical table clocks collection.
* Staying cool despite your inner turmoil can improve your image because the boss sees he can rely on your performance even in traumatic situations. This is a plus if you’re aiming for a promotion.
Surely keeping your dignity has its rewards. After all, there is still a likelihood of a better relationship - but avoid office romance. After the humiliation and the fury, would you have another office romance?