You have anxiety or someone you know does.
It’s long-lasting and become part of the way you operate, that’s why you’re looking for jobs for people with anxiety.
It could be social interactions, presentations, deadlines, and events; any of these things can make you feel nervous.
Finding a suitable position is challenging, and your inclination to worry adds to the problem.
In the past, you have taken up a wrong professional role, and it’s ended up being pretty miserable for you.
You’re not able to sleep the night before work; you dread meeting with your colleagues or feel sick in the morning.
Yet many people have lifelong anxiety and also manage to have jobs they find fulfilling. Some of the world’s best authors have generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and many accountants or librarians choose these jobs because of the quiet settings and focused solitary work.
Finding a job suitable for you and your temperament is highly doable.
Here are a few things to look for:
Top things to look for in jobs for people with anxiety
There are different jobs for people with anxiety.
Look out for jobs that you give control over the level of social networking and flexibility in how you manage your schedule.
Most likely, you want your role to involve mentally engaging work, not lots of stress. You want to avoid positions that have big complex projects with tight deadlines and requirement to juggle lots of competing needs.
Instead, your work should transform your ability to analyse into a strength by using it to gather information and solve investigative issues.
Lastly, you want to work independently, so that deadlines imposed by others aren’t too much of a concern and you don’t have to be always balancing the needs of lots of different people. This doesn’t mean you should work alone, to maintain confidence levels and keep social support, your job should have some degree of social interaction.
Here’s a list of 10 jobs that are rewarding but are not socially challenging. These posts do not eliminate social interaction but provide flexible roles which have varying levels of communication with others.
1. Writing Superstar
Writing is a dream profession for many, but it is most well-suited for people with anxiety.
It doesn’t involve high-stakes social interactions, and it offers tonnes of flexibility, but the downside is it is hard work.
It takes a lot of time to become established. Earning potential in the first few years is limited. And building up writing skills takes years of practice.
To make a living as a writer, quite often you have to first gain experience in a role that has a consistent income, and then move on to freelance work which gradually leads you to become a published writer.
The bonus is that writing doesn’t require being physically present in a precise location. Not being confined to an office will undoubtedly be a perk for you. Moreover, these working conditions will allow you to channel your ideas and thoughts through words, helping you influence and impact others in ways that don’t trigger your anxiety.
Writing also exposes you to a continuous set of new ideas and ways of thinking and broadens your knowledge base. Writing well can be great for confidence, but also for personal well-being. Many writers believe the act of writing heals wounds from our past.
One thing to bear in mind is that as a writer, you will begin to enjoy working alone, and thus might end up in your little cocoon. If you spend too long tucked away, it could negatively impact your socialising skills.
Most likely, even as a writer, you will have to interact with the public or with other writers by attending conferences and joining associations. Use these opportunities to polish your social skills. Gentle but continuous exposure to others may help you overcome your anxiety.
Yet be warned if you do choose to be a writer, you will have to deal with criticism from readers and editors. Feedback could mostly be virtual and more comfortable to encounter, but it can still hurt.
Keep writing and practising until you get so good that there is little to criticise.
Jobs that involve writing include:
- Author
- Market Researcher
- Freelance Writer
- Newspaper Column Writer
- Business Publication Writer
2. Awesome Accountant
As an accountant, you will have to manage financial details instead of people.
Work usually revolves around business management and bookkeeping.
There is minimal stress and little need to interact with others. If you excel at numbers and love juggling income, assets, expenses, and liabilities, then being an accountant will be perfect for you.
Accountancy, as a profession is quite flexible. It allows you to work independently, in general, and to be free of micromanagement.
And there are opportunities to boost confidence as well. You can challenge your social fears by frequently meeting with clients and polishing social skills by attending networking events.
The downside of this profession is that the more senior levels of accountancy have more stress and require more social interactions. The starting pay is low, although mid-level accountancy positions offer reasonable rewards.
There are opportunities to work independently or as part of a business. Although accountants sometimes get a bad rap, they are an essential business role. Small and large companies alike wouldn’t survive without them.
Here are a few types of accountancy work:
- CPA: Certified Public Accountant
- Auditor
- Financial Accountant
- Management Accountant
- Project Accountant
- Investment Accountant
- Tax Accountant
- Forensic Accountant
3. Active Animal Trainer
If you love animals, then this could be the job for you.
Not only will you enjoy your work, but since working with animals has proven therapeutic benefits, your stress levels will reduce. You will not feel alone, as there is always some interaction with other animal care professionals and customers.
Moreover, you will be able to work at your own pace, in your own space with peace and independence. Additionally, there are a lot of positions to choose which are all very rewarding, including:
- Veterinary Technician
- Zookeeper
- Kennel Operator
- Pet Groomer
- Rescue Worker
- Dog Walker
- Equine Trainer
The only negative side to animals over people is that the pay is relatively low and in most positions and there is little room for progress. There is indeed a sense of achievement, but career growth and an increase in income rarely occur.
Taking all that into account, however, the trades off could be worth it. A happy, fulfilling job that makes a difference has a lot going for it. It is something you should consider.
4. Lovely Landscaper
If you love nature, then this job will be perfect for you.
Landscaping is not only fun, but it is also pressure-free. It gives you a sense of achievement, and the work usually requires more time outdoors rather than in the office.
Landscaping roles will give you the freedom to spend your day working for different private companies or golf clubs using your analysing skills in the best way possible. Not only are these projects highly paid but they are also fulfilling and require less worrying.
Different types of landscaping job include:
- Gardener (self-employed or for a company)
- Park Maintenance (employed by the local government)
- Grounds Maintenance (for building and estates)
- Forestry Worker
- Horticulturist
One downside is that if you run your own company, there will likely be stress and you will have to communicate and coordinate with both your employees and customers.
But on the other hand, this will allow you to challenge your fears and also give you the security of having your own business. It will boost your confidence as you liaise with landscape professionals and clients as an owner rather than just an employee.
5. Productive Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are business owners who sell a product or service.
The role gives you flexible of working hours, but also independence, a sense of accomplishment and ownership.
As a solopreneur – a person who works for themselves with no employees - you will be able to set your schedule, and won’t be responsible for anyone. Any success will be entirely yours, and all decisions remain under your control.
There are no supervisors or co-workers to deal with. No criticism and being bossed around. If needed, you can hire freelancers to do bits that stress you out. And there are so many options to choose from. There are all sorts of types of entrepreneurship.
Here are a few examples:
- Coffer Shop Owner
- Freelance IT Professional
- Kitchen Designer
- Pest Exterminator
- Carpenter
- Decorator
- Plumber
Although being an entrepreneur is boss free, more often than not, it is not stress-free.
As your business grows, the risks and responsibilities grow too.
The number of employees, time and effort required, the number of suppliers and customers, everything will increase. As the CEO of your company, you will be responsible for it all.
But you may not get that far. Lots of small businesses fail, and it takes many entrepreneurs several attempts and many years of low pay before they finally succeed.
There will be all sort of challenges.
Yet if you are passionate about your start-up, then the hurdles may be fun rather than an ordeal. Increased profits are also rewarding
It will be anxiety-provoking at the beginning, but with the time you will become a pro at it.
6. Concerned Counselor
Becoming a counsellor or therapist might sound funny. You may think you need counselling yourself, but many, if not all, counsellors once struggled with problems of their own.
Because you have experienced anxiety and know it inside out your first-hand experience will make you more empathetic, and you will excel in this role.
It is very satisfying to contribute to the betterment of society. You feel accomplished and in control. Moreover, it can be a well-paid job with a lot of independence.
Your experience and your sensitivity make you a natural for the job.
As you interact with students, qualified therapist, and clients, you will challenge your anxiety. Therapeutic roles can be a perfect position if you believe that you can genuinely help others.
The downsides are that this is a very competitive industry, and the cost of training can be high.
It took five years for me to become qualified and thousands of hours of study. Not only that, I had to pay for my own therapy as this was a requirement of my course.
Jobs at institutions can be stressful too. Often there is a full workload of clients and a mandate to achieve rapid results. Yet working for yourself can be just as hard. Setting up private practice means running your own business, and you’ll have to handle marketing and finances yourself. It can take years to become established.
Furthermore, the job comes with other burdens, including burnout, and over-attachment to clients.
Moreover, as your job is to talk; socialising is a must. It shouldn’t be much of an ordeal if you treat it as an opportunity to benefit someone who struggles like you and also gain a unique insight into your problems.
Lastly, you will have to remember that you are the counsellor rather than the patient so you will have to adopt a completely different communication style. Instead of becoming engulfed in your experiences, you will have to become a good listener and have to help others overcome their struggles.
Therapy jobs include:
- Self-employed Private Practice
- Workplace Therapist
- Online Counsellor
- Group Practice Member
- Hospital or Local Government Therapist
7. IT Specialist
Computer Programmer, developing and testing software, IT equipment manager, are all jobs that not only pay well but have minimal stress.
These IT roles usually require you to be focused on your computer rather than people. You are expected to be fully engrossed in what you do, and the work is often detail-oriented.
Because these roles are often team-based, you will feel valued for your technical expertise. Others will judge you on your analytical skills rather than your communication skills.
Another bonus is that you will also be able to work remotely, as this position doesn’t involve much interaction except for when others consult you. These situations are easy to deal with as you are the one in control and others need your help.
The downside is that it requires a lot of technical skill and involves sitting for a long time. So you have to love IT to enjoy this work. Secondly, you may feel left out as the IT department doesn’t mingle much except with their computer. Ensure that you keep friendly relations with your co-workers, and do not hesitate to take your eyes from the screen to interact whenever possible.
There are many types of IT jobs. Here are some examples:
- Computer Programmer
- Developing and Testing Software or Hardware
- IT Equipment Manager
- Business Information Analyst
- IT Security
- Network Engineer
- Technical Support
8. Creative Artist
If you love creativity and have a zeal for arts, then why not become an artist.
It is perfect for you if you have anxiety as it lets your creative juices flow in the best way possible. It gives you an ideal outlet to remain stress-free.
You can release all your tension through any medium you chose as art helps you escape to a different world altogether, away from your day to day worries.
Another appealing aspect of this job is that you work alone and nobody bosses or criticises you. There are no deadlines, meetings, or rules, thus making it perfect for people with anxiety.
Furthermore, you can create anything you like. And the best thing is you can learn artistic skills for free. There is a wealth of information online. You can watch tutorials without spending a penny.
A bonus is that art is a vast profession, and there are many categories to choose from. You can pursue whatever suits you best, for example:
- Pottery
- Painting
- Drawing
- Graphics
- Architecture
- Sculptures
- Media
- Web Designing
Artist earnings aren’t high the beginning, and it is hard to make a living out of it.
You won’t be able to support yourself until you have gained a client base which comes as you build your skills and audience.
But don’t let that stop you. If you have a passion for this type of work, don’t give up just because of finances. There’s a high chance that your love will show in your work, and over time you will inevitably progress.
Remember to have a back-up job and to practice and learn and possibly also to network, for example, at art exhibits. If you can afford it, consider getting some formal training by an artist whose work you admire.
In the field of arts, communicating is not essential, but it is useful to keep in touch with clients and network with fellow artists.
Doing so will not only help you progress faster but also open new vistas and horizons. The newly gained confidence will help you overcome everything.
9. Blockbuster Blogger
You might think blogging is just a hobby and can’t earn you a lot of money, but you are wrong.
It is a stable profession and pays quite well if you know your way through the pitfalls. There are many bloggers out there who earn six figures by linking blogging with marketing.
This job is perfect for those who love the internet and want to share their lives with others virtually. And the best part is it requires no office, no boss, and no duties to bind you.
Furthermore, there are different income avenues in blogging, such as ads, sponsored posts, affiliate links, and e-books. So you can choose the ones you like. Lastly, blogging also provides an outlet to release stress. It is a job plus therapy, making it amongst the few professions where you work and relax at the same time.
Setting up a blog is easy, but the job market is competitive, and there is a steep learning curve. Gaining an audience and earning money takes time.
You need decent traffic to your website and an ability to entertain your fans while selling something they need.
Not easy with fickle time-pressed and savvy readers.
You’ll need high quality and consistent content, which requires both time and skill.
But in the end, the decent income and watching people’s responses can make it all worthwhile.
As well as solo blogging, there are also opportunities to join established blogging teams, here are some of the roles you might find.
- Blog Technical expert
- Blog Editor
- Blog Coach
- Blog Customer Support
- Blog Writing Contributor
- Blog Headline Writer
10. Cool Coach
If you think you have skills worth sharing with others, then you should become a trainer.
It is a job with considerable responsibility but is still stress-free because you are doing what you are good at. It is also very satisfying as you are not letting your talents go to waste. So want to utilise your potential why not earn through it.
It doesn’t matter if you have anxiety because all you have to do is help people learn. Nobody is controlling you, and the best part is you get to contribute to society. Moreover, it doesn’t necessarily need doing in a physical location. You can do it online as well.
So if you think you are good at language, start giving language classes. Maybe you are an expert cook, then why not start your food channel? By coaching others, not only will you be helping them but will also learn as well!
The downside is that it requires time to gain a client base. The starting phase is quite frustrating as you don’t know how to attract customers. For this promotion is required, which involves interactions. But once you have crossed this stage, success will come to you within no time!
Here's some examples of coaching jobs:
- Nutrition Coach
- Sports Coach
- Anxiety Coach
- Public Speaking Coach
- Language Coach
- Music Coach
The Perfect Job
You’ve been looking for a job for a while.
Your anxiety is driving you crazy.
And you weren’t sure if there were jobs for people with anxiety.
Now you know the jobs are out there. You just need to select the right one for you.
Make your choice by keeping your skill and personality in mind and don’t care about what others say.
Remember your career has a significant impact on your life, so choose wisely.
Put yourself first. Don’t allow anxiety to make things worse for you. Challenge yourself and your anxiety by pursuing a rewarding career.
Jobs for people with anxiety are out there, you just have to find them.
Get looking, the perfect job is waiting for you.
