#Microblog Mondays - Work Woes

My room at work is near the center of the school at the end of one of the main hallways. Most teachers pass by my room to get to the office or the lunch room, and nearly half generally pass my room to get to their cars in the parking lot.

What this means is that a lot of people end up "stopping by" my room to chat.

This on the surface shouldn't be that big of a deal. In theory they'd stop in, say hello, and then head on their way. Unfortunately, what happens in reality is that people stop in, unload all that troubles them, and then (far too long later) merrily go on their way.

Sigh.

I know there are worse work woes to have. I mean, it should be kind of nice that people are so friendly. Hey, they like me! And I guess that it is nice to an extent.

But, it occurred to me today after the eighth--YES EIGHTH--person popped in to chat that this can't go on any longer. Not only am I too nice to do my work while they talk, although I was less interested in being nice as the afternoon worn on, I've decided that I need to not take on the added weight of other people's problems.

I do not want to know if so and so made them angry.

I do not want to know about students who didn't do what they should have.

I definitely do not need to know every nuance of their relationship with their husbands.

I do not need anything more than my own life to worry about nor do I need to inherit extra frustration or stress. I have enough of all of that without them adding to my everyday load.

Let's face it, I barely have enough time for my own life crap; I don't need to deal with theirs.

Besides, I am not the school's personal therapist.

Sheesh.

Now I just need to figure out how to get the message out...I've found working in a room with the lights off sounds a whole lot more appealing than it is in practice.

Anyone else ever been in a similar position? Any tips for how to handle this without making work miserable?

~~~

Stop by Mel's for more Microblog Monday posts.