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Suit of the Week: Limited

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Corporette's Suit of the Week: The LimitedCorporette's Suit of the Week: The LimitedFor busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. I haven't seen a lot of green suits before — what do we think? Too real estate agent? I like the slightly tweedy look to the fabric (closeup below), and the zip pockets feel fresh, although I do wish that skirt were longer than 19″. The jacket (Zip Pocket Jacket) is available in sizes XS-XL for $138, the skirt (Pleated Skirt) is $59.95, sizes XS-XL, and the pants (Drew Simply Straight Pants) are $89.95. Note that The Limited is currently having a B1G1 promotion for jackets, pants, skirts, and dresses — buy one, get one free.

Sales of note for 3/15/25:

  • Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off
  • Ann Taylor – 40% off everything + free shipping
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – 50% off select styles + extra 50% off sale
  • J.Crew – Extra 30% off women's styles + spring break styles on sale
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off 3 styles + 50% off clearance
  • M.M.LaFleur – Friends and family sale, 20% off with code; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off 1 item + 30% off everything else (includes markdowns, already 25% off)

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

107 Comments

  1. I’m looking for recommendations for a baby gift. I will be visiting friends this weekend who had a baby in March… I didn’t send a gift at the time, but would like to bring something now. Any cute ideas? I have zero baby experience and don’t want to bring something totally off-base.

    1. Also, big plus if anyone can recommend something I can order on Amazon prime :)

      1. If it’s been a while since the baby was born, maybe a gift for mom or both parents. Sometimes when I wait I find they have more than enough of everything, so I’ll buy mom something nice for herself – a cute necklace, a soft throw, a picture frame.

    2. A few great books for the kiddo? I’m thinking stock up the library with some of the greats- Where the Wild Things Are, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, the Very Hungry Caterpillar. The less fun but always appreciated idea is an Amazon Gift Card.

      2. +1 – I like to get board books with moving parts or touchy-feely bits in them. As a mom I would never buy these types of books because they are a little more expensive, and I knew they would eventually get destroyed, but I loved it when someone gifted them to me. My boys especially loved this board book we had that was photographs of actual babies doing different things, and showing different emotions at about that age. I picked it up on a whim, and it was a big favorite.

        1. Drat. They aren’t prime eligible. Also good are any fuzzy books like “That’s not my snowman” or anything with “baby faces” etc. :)

    5. You can order clothese on amazon prime, especially footy PJs. I’d get 12 month sizes at this point. Chances are they got a ton of infant sized clothing as gifts but did not get much for later.

    6. a boppy? I think that’s the name. It is a pillow that can be used after birth, for nursing, and later on for the baby who is trying to sit up and balance trunk muscles.

    7. I would research and see if the town has a children’s museum. They typically have a babies room. A year’s membership is great because it allows them to go back at different developmental stages, and is a great way to meet other families. If they have a nanny typically the nanny gets to use the membership for free too. Its our go to gift for families especially for when they are on kiddo 2 or 3 because museums like that work for ranges of ages. Also most of the museums are techy enough that they allow you to just buy the membership online, it emails them it on the day you want/or you can print it out, and the first time they visit they give them the card etc or you can choose to have that stuff mailed at a later date. No waiting for shipping!

  2. Does anyone know where I can get a long-sleeved navy sweater with narrow red stripes across the torso? This one at Forever 21 is the only long-sleeved version I’ve been able to find: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&Category=sweater&ProductID=2000102307&VariantID=
    The Forever 21 version has the stripes I’m thinking of, but it’s so cheap I have to imagine it’s terribly thin and low-quality. I’d prefer no buttons on the shoulder but I could live with them, and I’d also prefer wool but am flexible as to fabric. I’d appreciate any ideas.

    As to the suit, I like the color but wouldn’t wear the pieces all together as a suit. And I wouldn’t wear the skirt at all; it’s cute but looks like a schoolgirl’s uniform.

    1. Gilt has something like this in cashmere for $139. Search for “Elorie Cashmere Striped Sweater” – it might be a bit looser than what you’re looking for, but it could also be the styling.

      Free People has a longer tunic style on Asos (search under sweaters –> navy).

      Also: uniqlo has a red striped version, though I can’t tell if it’s black or navy http://www.uniqlo.com/us/product/women-extra-fine-merino-striped-sweater-134973.html?utm_source=polyvore&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sweaters

  3. Like this except for the green waistband on skirt. But this suit does not come in petite sizes, which is a bummer. Tailoring shoulders, sleeves, length never works.

  5. I had a green pantsuit once, in the mid-90s. I remember a co-worker telling me I looked like a meter maid.

    1. It’s making me think of a future society where one group wears only green (like if Gammas had office jobs).

    2. I’m just thinking “Girl Scout Leader” when I look at this.

      And now I want cookies.

    3. Hahaha. I inherited a green (lighter than this) suit that my mom wore to interviews for teaching jobs in the late 90’s. I wear the pieces (as separates!) sometimes and I’ve gotten a lot of compliments.

      1. I had a forest green wool crepe skirt suit from Talbots circa 1989 that I LOVED.

        1. Re Talbots suits circa 1989, anyone else remember Alcott & Andrews around the same time?

          1. I remember them! My high school self would dream of shopping for my work clothes there some day. Snif!

  6. I like the skirt. Actually, I have a pencil skirt this color and I have trouble figuring out what to pair with it. I tend to stick with black, white, gray, and navy.

    2. I have a pair of pants this color, and like to wear it with a grey “embellished” sweater, a black silk shirt, dark purple patterned boxy-cut top, white lace top, crisp white tee with statement jewelry, and a muted coral chevron top. I pair it with coral, mint, or neutral accessories. The mint was something I’d never think of on my own, but saw it on Pinterest, and it looks surprisingly good together!

      1. Coral and mint are interesting suggestions. I’ll have to try that out. I’ve been trying to figure out dark purple with it, but the shades of purple I have seem off somehow. Thanks!

      2. Here’s another vote for green and purple in the same saturation. I can’t wear it, but I love it on others.

  7. So I had a massive fight with my mother this weekend that was all my fault. I was such a jerk and I feel so awful. I apologized to her twice and she accepted my apology, but I got the sense that not all was right. I hear people talking about their regrets after they lose their parents and I feel like this fight is going to be one of my regrets. I’m 27 years old but for some reason, turn into a hormonal teenager with my mom (not trying to excuse my behavior). Anyways I’ve been really ruminating on this the last few days and still feel terrible (and I’m so ashamed of myself) but I feel like bringing it up with her again isn’t going to help. Any advice on how to just get over it?

    2. Would you feel better if you sent your mother some flowers? It sounds like you’re both done talking about it. (I’m the same way around my mom too, FWIW.)

      1. I got in a big fight with family that was their fault and honestly, all the lengthy apologizing is getting as awkward as the original fight was. If you already apologized, don’t draw it out longer by sending flowers. Just move on.

    3. You say you apologized and she accepted — she may just need time to pass before it’s more behind her. Moms can be incredibly forgiving as far as fights go (or not YMMV). I know that when I was that age, I got into so many disagreements with my mom because I was on my own, yet still didn’t really feel like I knew what I was doing as an adult and resented when she gave me advice. Or when I’d made a decision I was happy with and the first thing she seemed to do was second-guess it. One piece of advice I read on this site that’s helped my frame of mind immensely: parents know which buttons to push because they installed them.

      1. “Parents know which buttons to push because they installed them.”

        I think I need that as a print on a wall somewhere.

    4. Know that she loves you, and even if she’s still hurt, that doesn’t change. Sometimes it takes time to let go of hurt feelings, but you apologized, and she’s accepted, and she probably just needs time.

    5. I would give her some space. Doing anything else (apologizing again, sending flowers) is only to assuage your own guilt and is not going to make your relationship with your mother right – only time will do that.

      In terms of getting over it, I would treat it like a breakup. Allow yourself to feel really bad about it, wallow, watch trashy tv, eat ice cream, exercise if it makes you feel better… for a few days. I also find that talking to an empathetic friend helps. Then pick yourself up and keep moving forward.

    6. I recently had an argument with my mom. It wasn’t really a fight, and we were both to blame, but I felt absolutely awful afterwards– we never, ever fight and my mom is incredibly selfless. After I apologized (and so did she) it helped to call her more often over the next week or so… I feel like the more positive conversation time you have after an argument, the more quickly you get away from it.

    7. If this is a recurring theme for you – relapsing into angry teen mode around mom and acting in ways you’re later regretful of – you may want to consider a short, focused course of therapy about it. Something about your interactions with your mom is pushing buttons you haven’t yet deactivated, and it could really help you to identify the buttons and then eventually find ways of interacting with mom that don’t trigger you.

      For me personally, it’s a lot easier for me to move on from bad interactions when I know *why* things went sideways (a real why, along the lines of “it reminded me of that time that ::some thing:: happened so I reacted the way I wish I’d reacted to ::past thing:: instead of reacting to what was actually happening,” not a shamey/self-blamey why like “because I’m a sucky daughter”).

  8. Total selfish question — does anyone have a Tea Collection promo code they’d like to share? Thanks!

    1. This is 20% off for first time customers; not sure if it will work for you:
      M0914P017C

  9. reposted from earlier:

    I need help finding shoes for shoulder season-fall-spring. My office is casual, so jeans are ok. I would like something to wear with bootcut jeans, and am looking to replace my Keens (my go-to) with something maybe a little less clunky? Bonus if they’re equally at home with socks or not (or with low-cut liners).

    I’d prefer brown leather, but open to other ideas…Super bonus if they’re comfortable enough to manage a 1 mile commute on some pretty hilly/uneven sidewalks & alleys. I’m pretty clueless when it comes to completing an outfit with shoes…It’s in the 70s-80s here in the afternoons, but the evenings and mornings are cool. I’d feel silly at this point pulling on my tall boots–they just scream “fall/winter” to me more than “end of summer-fall” Help???

      1. I think she means in-between summer and winter– so not sandals and not winter boots.

        1. There’s a name for that season between summer and winter. It’s fall. Or autumn. Or I guess spring if you’re coming out the other side.

          1. Thank you so much for enlightening me– I suppose I should have just let the anon above me google it herself.

          2. “If only there was some web page you could go to, type things in and search for answers.” – The Internship

          3. I think she actually meant the time when it’s transitioning from spring to summer, or summer to fall–it’s cool enough (still, or starting to) that certain clothes don’t quite feel right, but it’s not exactly time for sweaters, boots, and chili.

    4. Substantial ballet flats – just bought my first couple of pairs and I love them. Like quilted cap toe flats or pointy-toed leather flats.

    5. Booties were made for this. I got a pair of Sam Edelman 1 inch heel suede booties, and with an insert, they’re pretty good. I’d shop around for more comfy booties for regular commuting, though.

    6. If you’re wearing them with bootcut jeans, you could go with an above-the-ankle bootie (above so you don’t see socks when you sit down). You can wear comfy socks, they have sturdy ankle support, but they don’t scream “jumping the gun on fall” like knee high boots can this time of year (so with you on that). You don’t mention price point or heel height, but since you’re upgrading from keenes, I’m guessing flat.

      ETA: Typed before I refreshed – +1 to baconpancakes :)

    7. y’all are awesome. The bootie ideas are great–I totally hadn’t thought about that. And those Frye sneaks are very cute.

      Thanks for the ideas!

    8. I bought some black Minnetonka moccasins last year that I wore to death during the spring. Super comfortable and surprisingly versatile. They might be too casual for your office, though. Something similar like a loafer or boat shoe (spring only) might work as well.

  10. After a recent conversation with my husband, I have been thinking lately about having a stash of things to keep in my purse all the time. My husband said that he thought a lot of women carry a full set of make up in their bags for touch ups throughout the day. I was really surprised by that and don’t think I know of other women who do that, but it doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Some things I was thinking of keeping in my bag include: an extra tube of lipstick, chapstick, oil blotting papers, a small brush (maybe a collapsible one?), a plastic bag (after getting caught in the rain with my expensive purses a few times lately, I thought about carrying a plastic bag inside of my purse to cover my purse in a pinch), a nail file.

    What else do you ladies keep in your bags? Also, what do your store things in inside of your bag? Maybe a small make up bag?

    1. I have the following in my work bag:

      1. chap stick
      2. comb
      3. advil
      4. pads
      5. safety pins
      6. small note book and a pen
      7. face wipes
      8. hand sanitizer

      I don’t carry make up as I don’t apply make up everyday. But a plastic bag seems like a good idea.

    2. Gosh I don’t know anyone who carries a full set of makeup either, although I can see why men would get that idea – what the heck else could we be carrying around?

      In my bag: wallet, keys, phone, comb, way too many lipsticks, Kindle, sunglasses, a couple of pens, a little case of those rubbery toothpick things, and a USB drive. Tampons. Oh and one of those reusable grocery bags that tucks up into its attached pouch and makes a little ball. Also my work ID if I’m not wearing it.

      That’s just my purse, never mind what goes in my big bag with the laptop and so forth.

    3. 1) chapstick
      2) lipstick
      3) tinted chapstick
      4) small container of asprin
      5) small pad of paper and pen (not always, but when I have it I use it)
      Apparently my lips need a lot of attention…

    4. I’ll play:

      chap stick
      lip stain
      gloss (which i sometimes use as blush in a pinch!)
      eyeliner
      bobby pins
      safety pin
      (everything below in mini)
      floss
      advil
      eye drops
      allergy meds
      hand sanitizer
      tissues
      tide pen
      nail file
      listerine strips
      t@ampon

      this all lives in a small zip top fabric make up case.

    5. In my bag currently:

      – Wallet/keys/work ID/cell phone
      – Hair brush
      – hair ties
      – pens (oh, so many pens. How did I get so many pens???)
      – advil/sudafed (mini version)
      – gum/mints
      – small makeup bag with:
      – lip gloss and lip butter
      – under-eye concealer
      – BB cream
      – mascara
      – eye shadow (cream)
      – face wipes

      I am, it turns out, one of those women who carry a full face of makeup around with them. This is, however, because I often will run/work out before work and put on makeup at the gym (and always forget to put it in my gym bag). I also am notorious for not applying makeup unless/until I have a court appearance or important meeting.

    6. I’m the reason your husband thinks all women carry a full makeup bag. I don’t, but it looks like I do.

      In my larger zippered pouch bag:
      -brush
      -mini hairspray
      -mini dry shampoo
      -concealer
      -powder and brush
      -lipstick
      -mini perfume
      -chapstick
      -tampons
      -pill case with mucinex, allergy pills, ibuprofin
      -mini lotion
      -mascara
      -eyebrow pencil
      -sample size perfume
      -3 pens
      -bobby pins
      -safety pins
      -mole skin (for shoes)
      -bandaids
      -hair tie
      -sunglasses
      -gum pick/flosser thingy

      In another, smaller pouch:
      -all the club/discount cards
      -earbuds
      -loose change
      -tissues

      Floating in the purse:
      -wallet
      -cell phone
      -notebook
      -book to read
      -usually gym clothes and lunch
      -tiny bottle of water
      -keys

      I only buy big purses for a reason. Edit – um, wow, that looks like a lot more written out than I think it is.

    7. I’m a bags-within-a-bag girl. I have an REI purse that I carry daily–it’s a medium-sized crossbody (smaller than a messenger, larger than a clutch). I have a fabric zipper pouch (like what you would put in a 3-ring binder) that holds mail, bills to be paid, receipts, etc. It packs flat, and it seems to have helped me to not lose things that need attention. I also have my wallet (31-brand zip wallet); glasses case; sunglasses and “personal pouch”. I also carry business cards, a small spiral notepad, ear buds, pens, binder clips, and random other stuff in one of the outer pockets. Phone, keys & work ID badge get stuffed in during the day too.

      Inside the Personal Pouch is: unlabeled Rx container with a few of my meds + advil; tiny sample size bare minerals powder & tiny buki brush; Burts Bees lip balm; Juice Beauty tinted balm; smashbox spf 15 photofinish; e.l.f. lip/cheek tint; brow pencil; random assortment of hair ties (though they won’t do much good now that I have chopped locks); nail file; softcup; epi-pen for my son. Honestly, I could probably get rid of everything except the balm, file, meds, softcup & epi-pen. I don’t reach for the other stuff except on occasion.

    8. I am clearly an outlier- I have my wallet, my keys, my work fob, and my phones in my purse. And my lunch.

      I never really though of myself as a minimalist until now, but I should note that I have a separate gym bag and an emergency drawer at work that is full of most other stuff (hygiene products, lotions, nail file, snacks, etc.). I also don’t wear makeup, which cuts out a lot of stuff.

      1. I have my headphones, phone, wallet, coffee, kindle, notebook, keys.

        But carry my lunch and gym stuff in a different bag, bring a lot to work on Monday and home on Friday and stockpile a lot in my desk drawers.

      2. Another outlier. Keys, badge, phone, wallet, and a chico grocery bag. If I go out after work, I throw in mascara for the day. Lunch is in a separate bag. The only stash I have is baby/kid related (ie, a diaper and fruit leather), and it’s pretty minimal, too.

        Although this does explain why it’s so hard to find a handbag that’s larger than a clutch but smaller than a tote.

    9. Wallet
      Keys
      Face wipes
      Tissues
      Small makeup bag with lipstick, lip balm, tiny hairbrush, tiny mirror and small perfume vial
      Hand cream

    10. Besides my wallet, keys, sunglasses, reading glasses, phone, mini umbrella, and assorted pens, I carry a little zip bag (I think it was a Clinique giveaway) which contains a little tube of Tylenol, eye drops, two Clinique Almost Lipsticks, and a couple of Band-Aids.

    11. I have an unreasonable love for these kinds of comments. I am also a bag-within-a-bag girl:

      Bag 1 – Everyday bag
      Mirror
      Hand lotion
      Hand sanitizer
      Lip balm
      Lipstick
      Sometimes masacara
      Tampon

      Bag 2 – “Rag bag”
      Diva cup
      Tampons
      Tylenol/Alleve
      Pads

      Bag 3 – if traveling – Electronics bag
      Headphones
      Ipod
      Various chargers – Car and wall chargers for phone and ipod
      Aux cable for rental car

      Other stuff floating around bagless in there – more lip balm, dental flossers, comb. I also have a bag with gum in it. The bag housed a necklace I bought and I always buy those big plastic containers of gum that open in your bag, so I put the gum in the jewelry bag. Everyone thinks it was a wedding favor.

    12. I am now using a pouch system.

      Makeup/hair pouch has:
      Clinique Black Honey tinted lip balm
      A Ficarre
      hair ties and an Oberon Design barr*t t e
      dental floss
      nail clipper/file
      tampons

      Pencil case has:
      pens
      name tag and company pin (only wear in a bank branch or when giving seminars)
      pass to get into buildings after hours
      calculator
      business card holder

      Loose in main compartment:
      Wallet
      umbrella
      Thin black pashmina
      Prescription sunglass/glasses case

      In zippered compartment:
      Cell phone and charger
      Pass to get on to my floor
      Public transit pass
      Keys

  11. I would like some advice about my fellow ‘rettes regarding how to handle money-snark. After suffering bad law school grades and a nasty divorce that caused a mental breakdown, my career is finally back on track and I am working at a well-compensated in house position. I just fininshed paying my car loan this spring (YAY!!), and the only money that I now owe is to the mortgage company. This leaves me with plenty of disposable income to spend on vacations, hobbies, clothing and accessories. There is a woman in my social circle who always feels the need to point out how expensive my new bag/last vacation/clothing is by saying “how fancy..it must be nice to have all of that money to pi$$ away…I have never shopped at a store fancier than Macys”, as her lip curls into a sneer. Since I don’t recall sending her the bill for these expenditures, I employ counter-snark, “why yes, Ms. Haterade, my new Coach bag cost (much moola), I work hard for my money and I enjoy treating mysel to something nice occasionally”. I don’t go out of my way to tell her where I am vacationing/what I am buying/but she seems to find out throught the grapevine. What would you guys do?

    1. Avoid this woman. Don’t talk to her if you don’t like her. And if you will unavoidably have to be around her and pretend to like her, don’t snark back. Just smile and change the subject.

    2. No advice, but your description of this woman reminded me of a definition I read in Miss Manners: “Nouveau Riche worry about other people’s money. Everyone else just worries about money.”

      1. Actually, I might try directly asking “Why are you interested in my budget? Are you concerned I might become a welfare case or do you think there is something immoral about the way I spend my money?”. My bet is that the latter is true, but she’ll have a tough time admitting it. Some people think bargain hunting is a moral obligation.

    3. I guess it depends in part on your relationship with this person (e.g., is she a sister-in-law who you have to make nice with or a very casual acquaintance). Also, I wouldn’t counter-snark/sink to her level, as you’re then engaging with her on her level.

      Depending on phrasing, I might say something like:
      “It is!” [nice to pi$$ money away] and change subject; or
      “Why would you say that?”

      Either way, none of her business and brush your shoulders off.

    4. “Thanks for your input.” Then walk away.

      Or, say literally nothing at all while arching your eyebrows. Then walk away.

      This woman sounds like a grade-A douche canoe.

    5. I hate the “must be nice” dig. It’s not always money either. I’ve had it used against me from folks with kids who feel the need to make me feel bad for having time to do some fun activity or from those who see me be the recipient of a generous act or gift from my spouse. I’ve got a SIL and college friend (SAHM who is miserable) who do this constantly, and no–it’s not just directed at me.

      I don’t know the right reply, but I’ve seen advice columnists suggest replying to rude comments like this with a “Why ever would you say that?” and repeat as often as needed until the speaker stops.

      I’ve tried calling folks out directly. “When you say X, it makes me feel bad.” But it’s usually just taken like I don’t have a sense of humor or something of the like and doesn’t stop the behavior from happening in the future. Think this is one where you just have to recognize that someone else’s jealousy isn’t reason to stop your own happiness. The comments are saying more about their own insecurities/frustrations/unmet needs than anything about you.

      I know it’s hard when you’re annoyed, but if you can boost this person’s ego a bit in other ways, perhaps she’ll be less likely to lash out at you in the future.

    6. How is this person in your social circle? I’d avoid her if at all possible and if you have to be around her I’d either not respond to her comments at all or just give a simple “thank you for the compliment” and move the coversation along to something and someone else. Yuck.

    7. I would ignore her. You will never be able to change her opinion on this matter, so you’re best served by ignoring it. Who cares what she thinks? If you are managing your budget and living the way you want to within your means, it doesn’t matter what she thinks. Frankly, even if you weren’t doing it the right way, it wouldn’t matter what she thinks. Ain’t nobody got time for that $hit. Or, if you are like me you can make really funny comments like, “I bought this purse with the money I got for selling my bastard child on the black market.” But not all people share my sense of humor . . .

    8. I might be direct and say, “wow, that’s rude.” She’s immune to your counter-snark. She would probably be immune to other sarcasm and snark suggested above.

    9. I think the best thing is to literally ignore her, as in “stare at her without a word and then turn away.”

      Me personally, though, my standard response to “it must be nice” is to squeal and jump up and down and clap my hands and say “I KNOW, RIGHT? It’s awesome!!! Thanks for noticing!!!!”

      1. Another vote for ignore. This is her issue, not yours. You don’t owe her explanation, and I prefer to let rude comments hang in the air for all to hear rather than return them with snark.

        Although SA’s second suggestion made me literally laugh out loud.

      3. Right. I was thinking that the reply to any “must be nice” statement is, “it is!” I have a friend with kids (I don’t) who does that constantly:

        It must be nice to sleep in until 9 on a Saturday.
        It must be nice to go on vacation to…
        It must be nice to just run off to the city whenever you feel like it.

        It’s SO insulting, even though I love her. She’s not thinking about how hard I work, only about the benefits I get to reap. But she made her choices, and I made mine. And I’m not going to diminish the perks of my life to make her feel better. So I just say, “It is!” with a big smile and then change the subject. If I’m feeling my oats I might talk about how great vacation/weekend/whatever must be nice was, as though she had made a polite inquiry into my adventures.

        1. I’ve always found this fascinating. When my kid-having friends would make comments about how nice it was to sleep in, or travel, or go on fancy dates (back when I was single/kid-free), I would always agree with them — because honestly, it WAS nice to sleep in or whatever, and I don’t see any harm in being reminded that life is good! I’d usually respond with a light-hearted point about how nice it was to have a standing date on Saturday or to have a baby to snuggle or whatever might be good about their life at the moment. But maybe I’m socially incompetent and was missing their snark, or maybe I just surround myself with people who actually like me and vice-versa, so we’re not always sniping at each other.

  13. Ladies, I need some advice. I am doing some work which was supposed to take a couple of weeks but has taken three months and still no end in sight :-( . It is taking so much time because of the issues we faced which no one anticipated. I am not held responsible for this delay as my manager and other senior person know that it has been very difficult and in fact they are appreciating what ever I am doing .

    The problem is I am so tired working day in and day out without an end in sight.It has been incredibly difficult to resolve all the problems that I faced and it has drained me. I have never felt this way during the past 6 years that I have been working. I am kind of all alone doing this and people whom I work with from another site on this are not very co-operative. I don’t want to go to work and I just want to sit and cry. I started feeling depressed on Sunday last weekend as I had to go back to work on Tuesday. My husband is so surprised as he has never seen me in this state.

    I am sure I am not the only person who is going through it. I am looking for advice from other ladies who went through situations like I am in now. How did you get through it? What did you do to remain calm and to keep going?

      1. I have one person who advises me from time to time but doesn’t really get his hands dirty. Other than that, there is no one who I can talk to about this in my site. I have not worked on anything else in last three months as this is the highest priority work and my manager made sure that I don’t have any competing priorities. I cannot do something else for a week as this is more important than everything else. I have made lot of progress but every time I solve something, I discover a new problem that needs to be addressed(like onion peeling).

        1. If possible. you should ask for another person to work with you. This would split the indefinite work and also mean you had a teammate to commiserate with you on the never-ending issues.

    2. Thank you for summarizing how I feel. While not advice, it is nice to know that I am not alone feeling this way.

    3. If it’s possible, break down your day into various parts and schedule it . . . so many minutes for project A, then 15 minutes for e-mail, returning phone calls, etc. Try not to spend more than 1/2 a day on one single task — unless of course you have to meet a specific deadline. Mix it up.

      Get up and walk around from time to time — even better if outside. Exercise for real at leaste 20 minutes every day — if your employer isn’t upset about the timeline, you have the time.

      Never miss breakfast, lunch, and dinner (don’t underestimate the power of protein!) — go out for lunch or dinner at least twice a week, one of them with friends or colleagues not working on this project.

      Diagram your progress — look how far you’ve come and how much you’ve overcome already! Make to-do lists and cross off as you go. Use colored pens, pretty paper, a big whiteboard. Make the little things feel like progress — because they are!

      Remember you’re not just a worker, you’re a person & you can be a person while working, too.

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