Nervous about new job tomorrow! In need of encouragement!

[teechr2b]

Hi guys,
So I've been braced for one week today, and physically I'm feeling pretty good. I just hope that soon I won't constantly be aware of/contorting my mouth around this giant foreign object under my lip. I'm starting a new job tomorrow, and I'm realizing I am way more nervous about it than I ever expected to be! And can you guess why? Yep! My new braces!! I just feel like I look/sound/seem really awkward when I talk because I haven't had these things for very long. I detect a slight lisp on my s's (my husband claims it's nonexistent). Do you guys have any suggestions for things to tell myself, or to keep in mind... especially when I get self-conscious tomorrow? I guess I should've done this earlier because everyone is probably asleep... oh well... even just typing this will be beneficial I'm sure! I am trying to be brave but it's hard. Thanks for your advice, and I wish everyone a pleasant evening!

[teechr2b]

P.S. Do you guys think it's weird for me to have gone to my interview without braces, and then show up at the job on day 1 with braces on? Haha the things I worry about

[clangjr]

Don't be nervous, you'll be fine. I got my braces on after being at my new job for 4 weeks. If people don't feel comfortable with you doing something positive for your health then you need to ask whether you want to be surrounded by those people.

[Chris2785]

I freaked when I got mine on but i'll be honest with you... nobody cares.



no one will take any notice whatsoever

[kreyFL]

Aww I wish I had seen this on Wednesday, I would have told you that everything will be just fine and the nerves of the new job will overshadow your braces. haha ;) I know what you mean about thinking you sound funny...and certain days after an adjustment I can hear me struggle with certain words...but no one will know any different because they dont know what you "normally" sound like. Let's be honest too, it is such a subtle change in our speech anyway and usually short lived once your mouth adjusts. I hope your first day was awesome!!! And, remember....very few people have perfect teeth. The adults that end up noticing my braces...well, they notice them out of envy....a stare followed by questions and statements like "I need braces too"...lol

[stepher7]

I agree, hardly anyone has said anything about my braces, and of the comments I have gotten, NONE have been negative. How did the first day go??

[Sandpiper]

I agree with the others - no-one will care. If they notice,they probably won't comment. I can completely understand your apprehension, but I am certain it will be fine - and you'll have so many new things to think about, you will forget the braces. And when you forget them, and are completely relaxed, others won't even register that they're there. Best of luck!

[threescompany]

I hope your first day went well!

This is totally true :

I freaked when I got mine on but i'll be honest with you... nobody cares.



no one will take any notice whatsoever

[teechr2b]

It was great guys, and thanks so much to everyone for your kind words!!

I woke up this morning feeling good and just decided to say "Today I am pretending they aren't even there!"
And it seemed everyone else was pretending along with me! Hehe (You guys were right- no one seemed to notice!)
In retrospect I feel kind of foolish for getting bent out of shape over something so seemingly insignificant... but you guys know how it feels, and it's a big change in your life and much more invasive than most people probably expect. That being said I'm really glad there are people like you guys out there who know what I'm going through! The internet is a great place. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! And thanks again <3

[SeattleSmile]

I can so understand how you feel, bford. I got mine on exactly 16 days ago, and the past week has definitely been better than the first week in terms of getting used to them and not feeling as self-conscious.

Braces are a HUGE change for adults who have them - they feel massive in your mouth and as you said, invasive. But think about how you'd react if you saw a coworker with braces - you'd probably be mildly curious for about a second or two and then forget about it. While braces are a huge deal for us, no one else really cares. And if they do, they might want to think about getting a life. :)

Glad to hear all went well!

[teechr2b]

Thanks for your comment, SeattleSmile

I was actually informed today that I was being "laid off" after 2 days of working at my new job. They gave me some bs about how "business had been really bad lately and therefore they no longer could afford to take on a new employee". Really, business changed that much in 2 days? And you have a current posting on craigslist for the very same position? Strange. I was in training those 2 days, and was repeatedly told I was catching on beautifully. Everyone seemed to like me. Nothing seemed wrong. I'm left wondering what happened. Could it be the unexpected change to my appearance? Did the staff (comprised by far mostly of men) expect a cuter version of me to be joining their ranks? Who knows. I'm kind of sad and confused. oh well, life goes on!

[stepher7]

Aww, bford84 that really sucks about your job! I'm sure it has nothing to do with the change of appearance, that would just be horrible! The posting on craigslist could be one that was put up a while ago and just didn't get removed. Either way, that really stinks. I hope you're able to find something else soon! How are the braces feeling?

[Foxsong]

I was very conscious of changes in my speech too, but what you hear in your own head is much more exaggerated than what others hear. The first week I had my full braces I played a gig with my band, and I was pretty nervous about my singing, but my bandmates told me I did fine. I didn't really believe them till I went home and replayed the video of the show, and I hardly heard a thing wrong when I listened to it! It was very reassuring.

Give yourself two weeks, and I bet you'll find you've adjusted so well that you won't hear anything odd about your speech.

[teechr2b]

Stepher7: Thanks for your encouragement! I'm not too upset about the job anymore, whether or not they are "bracists", lol! I think it's also possible that because of the braces i was not as confident as I normally would have been, so perhaps they went with a different candidate. Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk. I will probably look for something else casually, but focus on school for now. Fortunately the money isn't make or break for my husband's and my survival. Anyway the braces are gradually becoming "part of me", lol... although I'm still aware of them most of the time, it's getting better and better. No pain at all anymore, but a couple of loose feeling teeth that kind of click when I push on them, but I"ve read that's normal. Sorry if this isn't very coherent, I'm also watching a baseball game as I type, lol! Hope you're doing well!

Foxsong, I know what you mean, it's silly how much more critically we look at ourselves than others do! I am starting to realize they aren't a huge deal at all, and I was being pretty silly. And whatever the reason for being let go from that job, who cares! I'll find something better anyway!

[Sandpiper]

Bford84,

Too bad about the job....that's really tough. I am certain it had nothing to do with your braces, and if it did, you really are better off somewhere else. If they're that shallow, you don't need them. I do hope you find another job very soon, and glad you are starting to forget about the dreaded braces! Best wishes.