Thoughts about my boss’s reaction

Hello, there was a situation at work today which is still on my mind. We had a regular meeting and my boss told us that someone from the IT would come and asked if anyone had any issues. I remembered that my computer wasn’t connected to the printer and, without thinking, I said that I needed some help connecting my computer to the printer. Then my boss made fun of me and said that he at least has a problem he can’t solve himself and more or less implied that I, on the other hand, was incompetent or lazy or whatever. I have so much on my mind right now so I just thought it was a quick way to solve this problem without giving it much thought. It bothers me because I’m very capable and independent and now I’ve somehow “fed” his prejudice that women like me are incompetent. It was a really difficult day for me anyway. Therefore I tried to create an intentional model:

C: I said I needed help connecting my computer to the printer
T: it’s ok that I asked for help in that situation
S: more space in my chest
F: acceptance
A: I can accept that the situation was a bit messy
A: I can let my boss have his own thoughts about the situation
A: I have compassion for myself
A: I now know how he can react so next time I can consider my responses more carefully
R: moving on

I would appreciate any feedback. thank you!

 

Answer:

 

It sounds like this response triggered some things for you that caused discomfort and insecurity on an already difficult day (as you said). Your IM looks good, but I’m curious how it feels to you? Is it accessible for you? Can you enact a hard day protocol for yourself to give yourself some much needed care and love?

What I’m wondering is whether you are loving yourself through the discomfort and going into your IM with that love bolstering you, or whether the IM is to help you avoid feeling uncomfortable now and in the future. There’s no wrong answer – I just want to make sure we’re not gliding over important work to get to the good feeling place.

Finally, what kind of hard day protocol can you enact to give yourself some much needed care and love on this tough day?