Are you really happy?

Gone West

Are you genuinely happy in your work right now? Great, this probably isn't for you so, congrats, enjoy your hapiness
Maybe you love your job, but this is for the Dublin Office commuters who aren't fulfilled by their work:

This is something that I've been wondering about a lot lately.

When you were growing up, did you ever imagine that you would sell yourself to some company from 9 until 5, 5 days out of 7? For 40 years out of the 50 years of adulthood that nature has given you? That they would effectively own you during those hours. And that its really more than that as well. You have to get up at 7/8 or whatever, and moreso have to go to bed early to be able to get up. So effectively they own you from 11PM to 6/7PM whenever you get home. And you get transport to work with other people in an electric or petrol burning metal transport box. And the same after your work, every single working day.
Did you ever imagine that you would be given a quota of days that you could be sick from work or been told how long you can spend eating your pathetic daily sandwich that someone else (in the same situation) made for you?
Did you ever think that you'd be told by someone (boss) that you're only allowed take 3 weeks out of 52 off work per year. Does this feel like a social prison of sorts to anybody else?
Come 11PM, you're tired from working and go to bed because you have to be up soon and are weary from your day of doing work for somebody else.
You have to wear the same type of clothes for the office every day.
If its raining, you wear a coat and walk through puddles with everybody else rushing from the dart station.
Lunch, and a measly coffee/cigarette break are the main excitements of the day.
Stress is the order of the day, rushing from place to place, trying to get home to your identical concrete living box, sandwiched in between 100s and further out 1000s of other boxes. Perhaps you're lucky enough to have one side of your box not attached to another one, and your house is a mirror of the one next door, not exactly the same! Lucky you...
Perhaps your metal transport box looks nicer or moves you about a little smoother or more comfortably than your neighbour. Lucky you!
Maybe your moving pictures box in your commuter storage box's "living room" is bigger or flatter than anyone you know! wow!

But did you ever think that you don't need to be working like this?
Most people tolerate their jobs, and get on with it because they need to pay the bills and because its the norm. Its the respectable thing to do. Work, earn money, buy food, buy services, buy "stuff" and go home, enjoy the spoils for the 5% of your life that you're not working or thinking about work or preparing or recovering from work.

Is all this work and wasting of lives in industry, sales, office work, etc etc worth it?
We should be out enjoying ourselves all the time, spending just enough time at work to earn money to buy basic food/shelter and pay for entertainment and your kids' same. The rest of our time I believe that we should spend doing whatever we *really* want to do.

See you on the water.

ibh

My Job = Pure Sh1t.

Chances of me staying this or a very similar position? Zero.

Not saying that i'm going to float around doin fack all, just know that this is not the template for the next 30/40 years for me. I would rather be broke than have to commute to an office in Dublin from some sh!thole town until i'm 60.

AARRRGH

Lots of people dislike their jobs, but unless they are willing to do something to escape from their situation, they need to accept personal responsibility for where they are. This might include owning up to a life of poor decisions.

/Don't mean to be harsh, but we all control our destiny

homah_7ft

Excellent post Fuzzy. I hope you don't mind if I forward it on to a few people.

I do sometimes feel a bit rat racy but working the shift I do gives me larger blocks of time off. Maybe you could look to move into a job that enables you to work a shift. For instance I can take a month off in the summer and again in the winter and go travelling.

Gone West

This doesn't affect me, personally. I'm just wondering what other peoples takes on this are.
Saw a guy on the dart today run onto the train, saw that there were no seats, swore loudly, rushed to an end door, slammed it open on top of a kid who had sat beside it, and then swore again and rushed through.
All just to get a seat for a 20 min train journey.

Yesterday, a very heavily pregnant woman got on and walked to the end. She was obviously in distress, barely able to stand up, sweat pumping out of her. I was standing, but I saw absolutely everybody eyeball her and then immediately become completely engrossed in their papers, ipods, phones and books.
Sickening like.

Just sparked this off in my head again, that people rush too much, work too much and are too agressive.

Tabnabs

Here's what my new job (9-5) gives me over my old job.

I get to go home every evening and see my family and friends etc.
My office is unlikely to blow up, sink and if it does catch fire, I run out the door instead of running in the door with a fire hose and breathing apparatus on. My commute to work no longer involves two flights of stairs, the upside of that is I am now fully awake when I arrive in the office, previously it was a good twenty minutes before I was properly switched on (during which time I may have been required to make life and death decisions).

I now own my own concrete box house instead of just renting cause it wasn't really worth my time before. Similarly, I now have a lovely car whereas before I couldn't justify the cost. I now have time to take up hobbies on a regular basis and my life is richer for it.

My diet has improved as I now eat regular and balanced meals chosen by me. My liver is also still on the road to recovery as I no longer have to fill my boots with beer during the short periods of safe drinking time I was previously allowed.

I am pretty sure that when I arrive for work once again I won't be required to train in a third world "professional" who will do my job for a quarter of the salary I am paid. Also, my office stays in the one place so I can get to know my surroundings and I don't need to take medication or carry security ID just to do my thing.

There are lots of reasons to be happy locked in a glass cage on an eight hour basis...

here.from.day.1

Good post. I do think like that sometimes, I just have to think of it as experience so I can move on to better things or save money to go travelling/buy stuff. At the end of the day its about having something to look forward to, thats all that can make it worth it.

Also people on the dart really get on my nerves.

Glowing

Great post. But I'm depressed now!

jon1981

Glowing wrote: »

Great post. But I'm depressed now!

+1 i believe a small percentage end up in a job they 100% want. i never grew up wanting to be a software developer...just happened...i can do the job... pays alright...would i change career tomorrow if i could? damn right i would! But you just have to make the most of what i got.

chances are in my current profession I may be forced to change career, as a poster said above training in third world professionals is becoming more common place in IT today!

you can counteract your distaste for your job by making sure when your not in work you have some interesting hobbies or an active social life or you devote to your family..what ever works!

tHE vAGGABOND

I left a VERY well paying Dot Com style job about 9 years ago to move from being rich and miserable to being poor and happy and I've never looked back!

Job Satisfaction for teh win!

Figure out what you would really like to do, and then do your best to get into that job. Forget about money and conditions - what you want to do [initially]is get some experience in your new chosen field, whatever the cost.

monkey24

I totally agree with some of the posts here. I hear a lot of people saying "I should", "I must" etc, all related to people working for necessity. If you live your life that way, you will be unhappy. Most people who are depressed, unhappy or just fed up usually do not have any vision, mission or goals they are striving for. They are just in limbo trying to get a little bit more cash in the pocket.

Once you define what you want from life, what steps you need to get there and work towards this everyday, you will get a new sense of purpose.

We as a country have got caught up in a total rat race mentality. Most of the conversations I hear are regarding bonuses, promotions, new cars who bought what recently. Yet I rarely hear someone with a real vision of what will make them happy.

I am light years away from my vision but i know the end result is a small house on a beach in a certain country that I love, running my own business, which is in turn helping others. I just keep that vision in my head when i am having a day from hell.

I have said it before in a previous post. The education system is in need of a serious overhaul to help people interact with themselves better and learn how to focus on what they truly want.

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

I left a VERY well paying Dot Com style job about 9 years ago to move from being rich and miserable to being poor and happy and I've never looked back!

Job Satisfaction for teh win!

Figure out what you would really like to do, and then do your best to get into that job. Forget about money and conditions - what you want to do [initially]is get some experience in your new chosen field, whatever the cost.

dazberry

I'm now in week 5 of 3 months unpaid leave due to work place stress. There's one thing about not liking your job - when your job starts not to like you - that's when the trouble starts.

I've absolutely no intention of going back to those b*nkers - but its really screwed up my health big time - 2 1/2 years of constant mind melting stress. I honestly wish when all the stress started that I'd walked out - but I kept hanging on until I got another job - unfortunately I didn't manage to - and in retrospect I can imagine how stressed I looked in those few interviews I did - (probably something like spud in trainspotting - just without the speed). Once my health went ropey quality of life went thru' the floor.

I go walking everyday now, generally around an hour or so - and I just look at all the people sitting stuck in traffic or milling around from one place to the next and I really appreciate not being part of it, and I can't believe how lucky I've been with the weather - fantastic

D.

nesf

Moved from Work/Jobs as per OP request.

ambro25

Good post Fuzzy, puts in clear English what most people must be thinking to themselves quietly in the wee hours.

I got there earlier this year, I'm about to hand notice in. Done in with the place, the pace, the demands, etc. I'm sticking with the job, which I absolutely/positively love, but I'm going back to UK, and in a backwater place at that. (Anyone in my line of work would only ever consider London, perhaps Manchester at a stretch. In Ireland, 99.9% of the profession is in Dublin)

I'd rather the (small) hit on €s but smaller workload, 'conventional' commuting times (and good road networks to boot!), and 'provincial' good nature of people.

Change of pace is the order of the day: I've been missing out on my little one growng up, I'm only gonna be here once, and I've a plan to setup shop from home in France (won't really matter where in the world I'm based, truth be told) within 5 years.

As a good mate of mine would say: "F*ck this, for a game of soldiers... See ya!"

ART6

A long time ago when I started my career I joined the Merchant Navy as a marine engineer. I loved every minute of the job, even the gales deep sea a thousand miles from land, and I became b****y good at it. I loved the travelling and the zipping about all over the world to join and leave ships in exotic places, Then along came this little woman.....

Who says you have a choice of your job?

Red Hand

:pac:Good post, Fuzzy, I've often thought much the same things.

But isn't doing something you really like is just as pointless as doing some drudge work to pay the bills?

Say, a person drops out of doing a well paid job they dislike, and they are having a wonderful time earning a bare living from being an author. All that boils down to is good feelings due to the release of feel good hormones. Which is equally as pointless as some drudge getting their satisfaction from buying sh't they don't need doing a job they hate.

In summary, everything is pointless. As is posting on this thread, posting on this website and reading posts like this that you don't need to read.:):pac:

mise_me_fein

This is a load of BS from my point of view. If you´re not happy, you can take steps to go somewhere else and start a new job.

Happy???? When are you happy? I´ll tell you, most people in those jobs are in a better situation to most on this planet.

regarding the pregnant women...........did you also go back to reading the paper? If so, you´re just as big a cnut as the rest of them.

You speak English, are educated and probably have more money than most in other countries..............Give it a rest with the not happy theme.......you can change your life, maybe you´d like to live in Burma or North Korea......if you weren´t happy there, then I might listen to you

18AD

Slavery never ended. You just have some basic rights these days because there're more slaves than leaders and pissed off slaves revolt. The system just tries to keep you happy enough so you don't abandon it.

I don't really like my job, but my life is good! Nobody said life was gonna be easy...

AD.

Gone West

mise_me_fein wrote: »

This is a load of BS from my point of view. If you´re not happy, you can take steps to go somewhere else and start a new job.

Happy???? When are you happy? I´ll tell you, most people in those jobs are in a better situation to most on this planet.

regarding the pregnant women...........did you also go back to reading the paper? If so, you´re just as big a cnut as the rest of them.

You speak English, are educated and probably have more money than most in other countries..............Give it a rest with the not happy theme.......you can change your life, maybe you´d like to live in Burma or North Korea......if you weren´t happy there, then I might listen to you

Please read through my posts more thoroughly.
By the way, I get a very hostile and agressive tone from your post, perhaps you should tone it down a little. Take a proverbial "chill" pill.

FuzzyLogic wrote:

This doesn't affect me, personally. I'm just wondering what other peoples takes on this are.

Im not posting about myself, apologies if my dart anecdotes made it seem like that

FuzzyLogic wrote:

I was standing

again, if you cared to read through properly you would not have to make such a post.

DetectivFoxtrot

I have a tough job and yes am a little rat in this big rat race, but my hard work has earned me a good although not hugely interesting job, good salary, nice house, nice car, nice things so I can't complain really. the job can get stressful and sometimes aggression takes over (e.g. road rage, rushing etc.) but only every now and then! Otherwise life is good. The same situation gets me down more in winter though when you spend all of your daylight hour in the office, but thank god its only for part of the year.

A few years back I used to drive the canal route to and from work - it was a killer. On a wall there was a line of grafitti that read:

"Commute work, commute sleep. Your life"

It summed up my existence in a nutshell and it always got me thinking 'what's the point of all this?' but then when the light went green and I started to drive that thinking went out the window and I absorbed myself back into the rat race. maybe deep down I like it......

There was one time in my career when I got too focussed on work and everything else suffered as a result; hobbies went out the window, couldn't switch off, and I became very dull. I got Work/Life Balance coaching at work and have never looked back, balance is key I think.

@ Fuzzy: very well written post, you could write scripts for Denis Leary or Jack Dee! Lot's of angst!
I try my best not to think that way though as I think it's counter-productive

allabouteve

Jeremiah 16:1 wrote: »

:pac:Good post, Fuzzy, I've often thought much the same things.

But isn't doing something you really like is just as pointless as doing some drudge work to pay the bills?

Say, a person drops out of doing a well paid job they dislike, and they are having a wonderful time earning a bare living from being an author. All that boils down to is good feelings due to the release of feel good hormones. Which is equally as pointless as some drudge getting their satisfaction from buying sh't they don't need doing a job they hate.

In summary, everything is pointless. As is posting on this thread, posting on this website and reading posts like this that you don't need to read.:):pac:

Blimey, is your glass always half-empty?

mise_me_fein

If you were standing why didn´t you say something........another sheep in the pack......quite noisey on the boards but a wimp on the street.

You didn´t really care about that pregnant woman............oh that´s terrible is not enough.

You sense that the post was hostile? Maybe it was, gets me a little angry to see Mammy´s boys wimps feeling sorry for themselves when man, there´s a lot worse stuff happening.

A chill pill, I wonder would you have the balls to say that in the real world.....I´d guess not since you wouldn´t say anything to anyone and instead left a pregnant woman stranded......human contact with people you don´t know............does it just like, "Freak you out man"?

By the way, I wasn´t replying to your post at the start of my post.....please do not assume it´s always about you

Red Hand

allabouteve wrote: »

Blimey, is your glass always half-empty?

Lady, I don't even have a glass. It's pointless!:p Cup your hands and drink yer wather that way!:p

i71jskz5xu42pb

dublindude wrote: »

Lots of people dislike their jobs, but unless they are willing to do something to escape from their situation, they need to accept personal responsibility for where they are. This might include owning up to a life of poor decisions.

Somebody with sense. If they rest of you put as much in doing something about your situation* as you do into moaning about it you would not be feeling so sorry for yourself.

* that could be anything from getting a better position to opting out of the current system but living with the consequences either way.

mise_me_fein

Darius Wet Wintergreen wrote: »

Somebody with sense. If they rest of you put as much in doing something about your situation* as you do into moaning about it you would not be feeling so sorry for yourself.

* that could be anything from getting a better position to opting out of the current system but living with the consequences either way.

Totally agree with you

monkey24

Ha, I love it when people reply to these kind of threads with "Well you could be in Burma" or "Go live in Baghdad you moaner".

Great input, you are really changing people's mind sets with that one.

Man-1 - "I am really unhappy my career is going nowhere"
Man-2 - "Well you could have aids so shut up moaner"

A lot of people are unhappy and they are not moaners for bringing it up. The fact they are posting about it could be deemed as a first step. I applaud anyone who openly admits they are not happy and want more. Hopefully these people will get the support of intelligent others to begin on a more fulfilling journey instead of idiots telling them its a lot better than living in Iraq. If a lot more people went out and achieved what they dreamed off then perhaps those dreams involve helping others or are not so fortunate.

Que "Shut up you loser what about all those people in China killed in that earthquake, you moaner"

trout

I'm genuinely really happy ... I sense this thread is not for me

Ross_Mahon

Just don't go to work anymore and then infect the work accounting system with a computer virus, which will round down fractions of a cent from accrual of interest and transfer the leftovers into your own account over a period of years, leaving you with lot of cash windfall undetected by the corporation.

i71jskz5xu42pb

Or join a support group for men with testicular cancer to see what real suffering is like. That'll wane after a while at which point I suggest a secret bare knuckle boxing fraternity (but keep it secret mind) followed by a bout of mild schizophrenia and an unhappy ending.

Or for a more Euro slant on things you could just try trainspotting.

kowloon

monkey24 wrote: »

Ha, I love it when people reply to these kind of threads with "Well you could be in Burma" or "Go live in Baghdad you moaner".

Stop complaining, there are people in hell who are on fire you know!:p

Ross_Mahon

Darius Wet Wintergreen wrote: »

Or join a support group for men with testicular cancer to see what real suffering is like. That'll wane after a while at which point I suggest a secret bare knuckle boxing fraternity (but keep it secret mind) followed by a bout of mild schizophrenia and an unhappy ending.

Or for a more Euro slant on things you could just try trainspotting.

Ahh so you know your movies...:D I think leaving the office and just doing what your man in 'Falling Down' did would be deadly! :cool:

Elessar

Actually I'm not. And I admire people who are not part of this meaningless rat race and happier for it.

You know, I saw a TV documentary a few years back that followed new inventors and their inventions.

They had one guy and his family in the south of England. He was in his early 30s, clever and had invented an amazing furniture/stove piece that he was trying to get recognised and produced.

He had an amazing family with a beautiful young blonde wife, two beautiful blonde sons and they all seemed really happy. He was amazing with his hands and built everything himself, including his small home (shed on steroids!) on I believe his old back garden while he rented his main house for funds.

Just looking at this family and their simple way of life, no playstations, no TV, no hour long commute to work, no boring same as every other day job - they would all often surf at the beach nearby, and rely on each other as entertainment. They only concentrated on what truly mattered, and were really happy because of it.

I know there is no fairytale lifestyle, but what this man had was amazing for how simple and pure it all was. He had the ability to let that which does not matter truly slide.

I've often said that when I get to his age that is the lifestyle I would want to live. Living and not just existing.

We'll see what happens.

i71jskz5xu42pb

Ross_Mahon wrote: »

I think leaving the office and just doing what your man in 'Falling Down' did would be deadly! :cool:

Buying a breakfast hamburger after 11am?

Easy now.

Ross_Mahon

Darius Wet Wintergreen wrote: »

Buying a breakfast hamburger after 11am?

Easy now.

*Pulls out an UZI*

amacachi

OP, why not just go on the dole, surely all that free time and money for doing nothing would give you way more pride than whoring yourself to "some company". What did you expect growing up? Maybe be a farmer, bit of variety at least, never know if you're goin to get paid or not. Or an artist. Sure why not throw it all in and live on the street for a while to follow whatever dream you have durin this little mid-life crisis of yours.

Thrill

I really loved my job for the first four years or so. I couldn't wait for the holidays to end so I could get back to work. I used to be bored out of my mind hanging around.

For the last three though, it's become just a job. It's not boring or anything but I really look forward to every holiday that comes up and when they are over I don't feel like going back to work. I've even thought of quitting once or twice the last couple of years. I'm glad I didn't though because I'd be flat broke.

mise_me_fein

monkey24 wrote: »

Ha, I love it when people reply to these kind of threads with "Well you could be in Burma" or "Go live in Baghdad you moaner".

Great input, you are really changing people's mind sets with that one.

Man-1 - "I am really unhappy my career is going nowhere"
Man-2 - "Well you could have aids so shut up moaner"

A lot of people are unhappy and they are not moaners for bringing it up. The fact they are posting about it could be deemed as a first step. I applaud anyone who openly admits they are not happy and want more. Hopefully these people will get the support of intelligent others to begin on a more fulfilling journey instead of idiots telling them its a lot better than living in Iraq. If a lot more people went out and achieved what they dreamed off then perhaps those dreams involve helping others or are not so fortunate.

Que "Shut up you loser what about all those people in China killed in that earthquake, you moaner"

Ok, that´s a dig at me then.

Right then, surely if you´re not happy you should be confiding with real people in the real world with this real problem. What do you think? I mean an idiot like me, doesn´t believe you should look for support from the internet as a first port of call. That´s just me though.

Is anybody really happy? It depends on what happiness is to you and how you look on a situation.

Fact is, overall most people are in a better situation in this country compared to times past. People forget that and raise their expectations of what they want. But you can actually get the finger out and do something about it other than going on about it here.

What good is it posting it up here and then going back to being depressed about doing the 5 day week like everyone else.

I´m not feeling sorry for anyone. Everyone has a sad story don´t they? and not being happy about modern life, well.....there are worse complaints.

If someone is in a rut, just get out of it and challenge yourself.

Gone West

mise_me_fein wrote: »

gets me a little angry to see Mammy´s boys wimps feeling sorry for themselves

Dear angry guy:
Wow you're an angry angry person.
I'd suggest some anger management classes, but I think you're probably gone too far. Now don't argue on the internet, there are no winners, just people who come across as idiots!
Venting your anger on the internet is not a good way to de-stress.
Not that it matters, but this will the second time in as many posts where I've pointed out that I don't feel sorry for myself, and that this post is not about me personally, its about the commuter lifestyle of others.
Not that it matters, but fyi I did actually say something to the nicest looking of the hostile train goers who did give up his seat to her in the end.
And yes, I will stand by whatever I say on here 100% .
I've been on the boards 10 years, and a bunch of people know me from them.
I'll happily re-iterate anything in person thanks.

To the rest of yous: Good replies guys this is exactly what I wanted, to see peoples thoughts on this.
I'm a self-employed IT consultant, and I haven't worked a "PAYE" job in 6 years and I'm very happy with my life!

mise_me_fein

FuzzyLogic wrote: »

Dear angry guy:
Wow you're an angry angry person.
I'd suggest some anger management classes, but I think you're probably gone too far. Now don't argue on the internet, there are no winners, just people who come across as idiots!
Venting your anger on the internet is not a good way to de-stress.
Not that it matters, but this will the second time in as many posts where I've pointed out that I don't feel sorry for myself, and that this post is not about me personally, its about the commuter lifestyle of others.
Not that it matters, but fyi I did actually say something to the nicest looking of the hostile train goers who did give up his seat to her in the end.
And yes, I will stand by whatever I say on here 100% .
I've been on the boards 10 years, and a bunch of people know me from them.
I'll happily re-iterate anything in person thanks.

To the rest of yous: Good replies guys this is exactly what I wanted, to see peoples thoughts on this.
I'm a self-employed IT consultant, and I haven't worked a "PAYE" job in 6 years and I'm very happy with my life!

Thanks for your thoughts......you remind me of an English football pundit. Just get off the fence and give a real opinion.

Well I´m not angry, maybe I just use powerful expressive words that convey an opinion.

I´m Eamonn Dunphy, you´re Jamie Redknapp.

S.I.R

ill never be happy in work , for the simple fact of , you cant get an apprenticeship in racing cars or such.


self funding is a pain and nobody sponsers so yeah....


i guess ill never be happy untill i win the euro-millions. I wont hold my breath

Dudess

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Figure out what you would really like to do, and then do your best to get into that job. Forget about money and conditions - what you want to do [initially]is get some experience in your new chosen field, whatever the cost.

I know exactly what I'd like to do - the openings aren't there.

mise_me_fein wrote: »

If you were standing why didn´t you say something........another sheep in the pack......quite noisey on the boards but a wimp on the street.

You didn´t really care about that pregnant woman............oh that´s terrible is not enough.

You sense that the post was hostile? Maybe it was, gets me a little angry to see Mammy´s boys wimps feeling sorry for themselves when man, there´s a lot worse stuff happening.

A chill pill, I wonder would you have the balls to say that in the real world.....I´d guess not since you wouldn´t say anything to anyone and instead left a pregnant woman stranded......human contact with people you don´t know............does it just like, "Freak you out man"?

By the way, I wasn´t replying to your post at the start of my post.....please do not assume it´s always about you

Any more blatant trolling/abuse like that and you can take a break from After Hours.

Darius Wet Wintergreen wrote: »

Somebody with sense. If they rest of you put as much in doing something about your situation* as you do into moaning about it you would not be feeling so sorry for yourself.

* that could be anything from getting a better position to opting out of the current system but living with the consequences either way.

Sometimes there isn't actually a whole lot you can do about it. I love these assumptions that there is - usually held by those who are lucky enough to have their dream job.

trout wrote: »

I'm genuinely really happy ... I sense this thread is not for me

Damn you!!! :mad:

amacachi wrote: »

OP, why not just go on the dole, surely all that free time and money for doing nothing would give you way more pride than whoring yourself to "some company". What did you expect growing up? Maybe be a farmer, bit of variety at least, never know if you're goin to get paid or not. Or an artist. Sure why not throw it all in and live on the street for a while to follow whatever dream you have durin this little mid-life crisis of yours.

Oh poor Fuzzylogic - no matter how clear he tries to make it that this is a general commentary, not his own personal experiences, people still don't bother reading his posts properly. I know the feeling, Fuzzy.

mise_me_fein wrote: »

Ok, that´s a dig at me then.

Right then, surely if you´re not happy you should be confiding with real people in the real world with this real problem. What do you think? I mean an idiot like me, doesn´t believe you should look for support from the internet as a first port of call. That´s just me though.

Is anybody really happy? It depends on what happiness is to you and how you look on a situation.

Fact is, overall most people are in a better situation in this country compared to times past. People forget that and raise their expectations of what they want. But you can actually get the finger out and do something about it other than going on about it here.

What good is it posting it up here and then going back to being depressed about doing the 5 day week like everyone else.

I´m not feeling sorry for anyone. Everyone has a sad story don´t they? and not being happy about modern life, well.....there are worse complaints.

If someone is in a rut, just get out of it and challenge yourself.

So it bothers you that people are posting on the internet about it - I really cannot see what's so bothersome about that, but anyway... Why are you posting on the internet to refute it so?

Oh and don't say you're not angry - you are. You said so.

monkey24

I agree with the sentiments of what you are saying. You just seem to be quite aggressive in the way you post. Everyone has the ability to create a life they want. If you are not currently doing what you so desire, then go about changing things. No matter how small the first step just do something.

Happiness is just a state. Many people delay there happiness for the sake of goals. You will often hear people saying "Once i get that next pay rise i will be truly happy". The problem with that way of thinking is they have already decided to forgo their happiness until they get a pay rise. Why not choose to be happy now and maintain that happiness when working towards the rise. The same theory can be put in place for any state. People need to learn to control their emotions or their emotions will control them.

mise_me_fein wrote: »

Ok, that´s a dig at me then.

Right then, surely if you´re not happy you should be confiding with real people in the real world with this real problem. What do you think? I mean an idiot like me, doesn´t believe you should look for support from the internet as a first port of call. That´s just me though.

Is anybody really happy? It depends on what happiness is to you and how you look on a situation.

Fact is, overall most people are in a better situation in this country compared to times past. People forget that and raise their expectations of what they want. But you can actually get the finger out and do something about it other than going on about it here.

What good is it posting it up here and then going back to being depressed about doing the 5 day week like everyone else.

I´m not feeling sorry for anyone. Everyone has a sad story don´t they? and not being happy about modern life, well.....there are worse complaints.

If someone is in a rut, just get out of it and challenge yourself.

TerrorFirmer

The problem is we all need to work to further the world. If everyone did the minimum, innovation and advancement would be significantly slower and in some cases probably stagnant. We work for money in order to enjoy the time we do have off; if we didn't, we wouldn't have the means to enjoy as much the extra free time we have. I'd rather have two days off utilizing them to the fullest extent of my hard earned money then several days just moping around and wishing I could do something but couldn't owing to lack of means. Of course that depends on your interpretation of what enjoyment is, I'm sure to some lying around in the sun all day and admiring the beauty of the world is what it's all about. To me personally I like going out with the other half, buying nice things, and so on, all of which cost money.

I don't really stop and think along your lines, sometimes indeed you do stop and wonder in the one life we lead why we enslave ourselves to stress and expectation, but at the end of the day the world is the way it is and if you're not with it, you loose out. Unless you're exceptionally lucky in so far as you manage to win the lotto, a huge inheritance etc. You know what I mean.

Closing Doors

This guy speaketh the truth

RedXIV

Well i'm perfectly happy at the moment, love my job, probably coz it's a temp. But got alot of uncles prepping me for work with them in later years so i've plenty of options waiting for me. Keeping options open has been my key to happiness. If that helps anyone, heppy for ye

Silent Partner

This has been a really good thread and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I have worked in Dublin and done the commute thing for quite a while. In fact, at one stage I was doing Portlaoise to Dublin and back 6 days a week. There is something about the sitting in traffic, idling along at 5mph with no sign of relief that is soul destroying. The worst I ever had it was working in Ballymount industrial area. We started our day at 8am and finished at 4pm to give us an extra hour to beat the traffic but as I left in the evening, every way out was solidly blocked. It was actually scary at times and once or twice, I felt claustrophobic.
(Incidentally and as an aside, I worked in Dublin City Centre and it would take my collegue almost as long to get home to Swords as it would for me to get to Portlaoise!)

However, to move away from traffic, my own personal view is that I try to see a job as a means to an end. I work to live, I don't live to work. I am saying this now and I am having some serious difficulties in my own job. The boss is playing mind games with me and the axe is getting ever closer to my neck. But what do I do? I used to invest so much in my job. I used it as the barometer for my happiness and my self worth. I've tried to move away from that now. It's not easy as you spend more time in work than you do anywhere else in a week.
If you can have a situation where you do something acceptable, not ideal, for 40+ hours a week and then make the most of your free time to chase what you really love, you can have some degree of hapiness. Go travelling, go fly a kite. This country has become so obsessed with material worth since the Celtic Tiger started roaring. I see it day in day out. Who's got a new car? Who's got a new house? He has how much in the bank?
Spiritual worth and hapiness may not pay the bills but it is what is truely important. Give yourself to others and you'll receive.

Also, for all the people who say, "It could be worse, you could have AIDS" or whatever, I'm reminded of an analogy once said to me; I'm lying in bed with a sprained ankle. The guy next to me has just had his leg amputated. No matter how much sympathy I feel for him, it's not going to make my sprained ankle hurt any less!

Gone West

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

The problem is we all need to work to further the world.

From a material point of view, yes.
From a spiritual point of view, no.

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

We work for money in order to enjoy the time we do have off; if we didn't, we wouldn't have the means to enjoy as much the extra free time we have. I'd rather have two days off utilizing them to the fullest extent of my hard earned money then several days just moping around and wishing I could do something but couldn't owing to lack of means.

You should try to find some hobbies which aren't so dependant on money, or else find a way to enjoy them without paying money. One example would be to get a job in whatever it is that you enjoy doing.
This can be achieved unless your hobbies are specifically buying the latest and greatest of everything.

I just think that people shouldn't be happy with meagre time off in order to spend their wealth.


@Silent Partner, great post.

token56

I have just joined the rat race if you will however I will not be here for long as it is only work experience. But I am currently commuting from Portlaoise to Dublin 5 days a week, to a job which bores me silly. I also work a second job on the weekend which I actually enjoy so I dont mind that. But from this experience I have seen a small glimer of what is so manys people lives are and what mine could be like permently like in the not to distant future. It is certainly not something which I would look forward and will try my hardest to stay awat from. I will continue with the rat race for now as it is only temporary and is necessary for my greater good.

FuzzyLogic wrote: »

We should be out enjoying ourselves all the time, spending just enough time at work to earn money to buy basic food/shelter and pay for entertainment and your kids' same. The rest of our time I believe that we should spend doing whatever we *really* want to do.

What you talk about here I respect however I do not feel I could ever like that. Simply because in anything I do I always want to push myself and do my best whether it be in acadmeic, sport or work. This is what I enjoy in life, the challenge. I need to be working towards something bigger or better. I would not consider a job where I work to earn the basic food/shelter etc as pushing myself so I dont think I could live as you do. Now during the process of me trying to reach my goals I may have to endure some aspects of the life you described however if it is necessary for me to move ahead then I will do it. I do my current work experience because it is required for me to move through college which is another challenge for me.

This is the way I see and will live life as its the only way I feel I can. Not because society determines that I must get a job and do whatever but because if I dont have something to work towards or for then I dont see a reason for living.

I realise this may sound like a sad life, but if it allows me to continue on and stops me from doing anything which will make others sad so be it

token56

token56 wrote: »

Not because society determines that I must get a job and do whatever but because if I dont have something to work towards or for then I dont see a reason for living.

What'll happen when you retire?

Gone West

token56 wrote: »

I would not consider a job where I work to earn the basic food/shelter etc as pushing myself so I dont think I could live as you do.

Ok Just for the record in case people are thinking I live under a wooden canoe in the mountains and don't contribute to scoiety!.... My personal situ is this:

Im not exactly happy, but not unhappy either. I do have an end game in sight and am close enough to it too.
I have a well paying IT consultancy where I am self employed and I do work in Dublin. I dont do the usual commute however, I cycle to work. I pay 50 euro a week rent(share a v nice house with my friends), and I live on about 70 quid a week for food/misc. Thats a total monthly expenditure of about €500. I eat great food, my hobbies are free, as are my friends and girlfriend! My transport is free, occasionally a few of us will head up to x location to do y outdoor hobby(surf/kayak/climb/walking/camping/etc). Cost would be maybe a fiver each on petrol. I'm busy, I'm never bored for anything to do. I am earning about 10 times more than I am spending, as I am living very cheaply. Irish €€ goes a lot further in other countries. I see people spend €5 on a "modern" coffee that they dont finish and €6 on two halved pieces of bread with various riny portions of meat and filling between them. Do you know how much (perfect) coffee you would get for €5 in Brazil? Do you know how many steak dinners you would get for €6 in Uruguay? We're not living with value in our lives on the most part in Ireland.
When I have enough saved (easy goal, very close, no liabilities, so I will achieve it very soon) I will be moving to settle somewhere quiet (not saying where ), peaceful where I can relax, build a house, take my time, think about things, go for walks, swims, etc.

I feel I am justified in working in the rat race, since I'm only in it for a while.
Thats me. I know its nowhere near perfect, but its about as good as I can make it.

Whats your life story so far, and what do you want to do?
I'd love to hear more about real life things like this from all of yous, not just the usual AH "paris hilton's vag gets photo'd coming out of a taxi" type threads!

token56

Myth wrote: »

What'll happen when you retire?

This may be better suited for personal issues but since the thread is here I shall explain. Basically I am only still here because of my family. I battled with my pessimitic outlook on life fo quiet a while now and it came to a for front a few years back, after some incidents I saw how much hurt I was causing my family and knew I couldn't continue doing what I was doing. I got help counselling etc and it did help. But I decided that I was not going to be getting my way, the quick way out. Since then I have decided to try and find alternative motives to help. I knew I could use my desire of wanting to push myself etc so that is what has happened and is how I am leading my life. I know what people are thinking how can he want to push himself yet be so pessimistic and I dont really know how to explain it, but its just the way I am.

Anyway I honestly dont know what I will do when I retire whether I will try to find another challenge or I might have a family and keep going for them. In all honestly I hope that someday something happens which changes my outllook for the better but its hard to see anything that will do that.

Also sorry if this is depressing anyone

I should probably say that I am not completely depressed all the time in fact I would consider myself as that, I am content with my life at the moment and dont mind doing what I am doing.