Just fed up with work

LegacyUser

Am I bit mental to be thinking of throwing in the towel at work? I have a fairly well paid job, am safe enough for the time being but jesus, it destroys my soul. I've been working in this area for about 4-5 years now and am just completely sick of it. I feel the need to chuck it in and take a long hard look about what I want to do with my life. I'm looking at people a few years ahead of me and it's nothing but stress, overworking and bootlicking if I'm perfectly honest.

I'm starting to get majorly stressed out that I've made the wrong choices when it comes to college/careers and I'm just not suited to working in an office environment. I've never had a job where the honeymoon has lasted more than a year and it's becoming increasingly less than that now :-/ Just bloody sick of the bullsh*t that comes along with what I do and the people involved.

I have a wonderfully supportive girlfriend who advises me to chuck it in if it stresses me out so much, rather than a few years down the line where we may be married with kids and a mortgage. At the same time, it kills me to think of sponging off her or, god forbid, my parents who aren't having it that easy at the moment either.

I feel like a complete whinger considering that folks would kill for a job right now, but this has been building for me long before the recession was an everyday theme. Anyone got any advice on how to find what work you're suited to?

Victor

OK, chucking it in seems like a mugs game at the moment - a friend quit a bit before Christmas and hasn't been able to get anything since. He's thinking about Dubai.

You do seem to be suffering from stress, so look into reducing that - get some exercise, easy on the booze, take a holiday, whatever you need. It might be an idea to talk to you boss or senior co-workers (over lunch might be an idea) and have a one to one - "How do you handle the stress?".

Realise that the job and money aren't everything, but they do help move life along.

ogriofa

you'd be a fool. Sorry.

Are you an expert in your field? The reason I ask is that for the duration of the recession you could try and get up a level, study, train, but if you leave your job because your a bit "fed up", and can't get another job, it'll be your own fault.

Harsh, but (i think) fair.

I was due a raise as Im doing a lot more than my job spec entails, but theres a pay freeze. Come on dude, take a look around.

hal9000

OP I can completely relate, in a job for 5 years (straight out of college) small start up, great experience, but long hours and lots of stress. No longer have any interest for the job. But would never consider leaving until i had a guaranteed position elsewhere, and from my intial search I wont be getting a new job anytime soon or in Ireland for that matter!

Also as other posters have mentioned exercise can do wonders for de-stressin

petes

I walked out of a job I was in for years. I absolutely hated it to a point were I couldn't sleep at night because of it. Best thing I've ever done.

Purely from my experience.

ogriofa

sorry, have to post again.

I have been in this position, I have also been unemployed during a recession.
I'd take the job I disliked over the feeling you get when unemployed during a recession.

Im not saying I'm 100% right for your situation but be very careful!

Again I know all about the stress of a job you hate, but you say you are "fed up", thats different to staying awake all night and feeling sick on your way into work.

Can you move within your job? Take on something that might be more interesting? Can you say to your boss that you'd be keen to take on something extra/different?

Just dont jump into it.
Sorry if Im all over this, its just that I had a very bad experience with this and I'd love to be able to help someone else avoid this scenario

Good luck

waraf

If you quit you won't be entitled to the dole as far as I know. I would suggest trying to secure another job before you quit. It doesn't have to be a job for life but something that will tide you over while you figure out what you really want to do.

daftdave

Insurgent wrote: »

I walked out of a job I was in for years. I absolutely hated it to a point were I couldn't sleep at night because of it. Best thing I've ever done.

Purely from my experience.

did something similar myself last year , although i had a redundancy package under my arse to soften the blow of unemployement , i moved to sydney with my partner and we have not looked back since really , maybe you could save very hard for 6-12 months and consider something similar , before the mortgage and the babies come along as you say , best of luck with whichever path you take.

Sugar Drunk

Its not the best time to chuck in a job really as you could easily be left without. any new jobs that are offered will have large numbers of applicants so its proably not the best time to try get work in a new career either.
the recession seems to have made life even harder in some jobs as stress increased - there is more work to do between less resources etc. To be honest my own job is stressful as hell and not where I want to be but im trying to keep my head down til things get better. have you any after work hobbies or do you play any sport? Its what keeps me sane, work to live dont live to work, focus on the non work stuff you enjoy.

lisajane

I want to throw it in too. Im seriously thinking about it. I want to go back to college, hopefully a year from september but i don't know how il last until then. I fuking hate it. My life is miserable in it.
The only time i dont feel so tense and stressed out is when im doing volunteering work with animals. Would love to throw it in and walk dogs instead. Recession or not, its just not worth it anymore.

Not much advice really, but you're not alone.

The Real B-man

waraf wrote: »

If you quit you won't be entitled to the dole as far as I know. I would suggest trying to secure another job before you quit. It doesn't have to be a job for life but something that will tide you over while you figure out what you really want to do.

He will be means tested and his girlfriend if he is living with her and probably get nothing:rolleyes:

MissyN

Please listen to someone who knows.

I was so p-ed off in my job and was dying to leave. I held off for as long as I could and then finally left in March.....and my God I'd do anything to turn back the clock. I don't even watch the news cos its all bad news about people losing jobs. I'm on the internet day and night sending my CV off to anyone who'll look at it (and most probably gloss over it) and its painful. Its really doing my head in. You're making good money too so don't quit. I'd swop with you in a heartbeat. I listened to people say 'if you're not happy blah blah, life's too short' and all that talk doesn't pay the rent.

Stick it out and just make better use of the hours that you're not in there.
And take a sick week even and get a note from your doc (if poss).

TheRealist

If you know for sure it's doing you damage get out. Simple as. I did similiar earlier this year and am much happier. Fair enough I'm not in the worst place financially, no mortgage, dependants etc.
This is plenty of "a job's a job" sheep out there, type of people who listen to Joe Duffy! The recession isn't affecting everyone to the same extent, unless you are one of those people who forked out an insane amount of money on some ****ty apartment just cos averyone else did it.

Anyway, I find I have the time to properly think and plan my future now. I plan on being self employed in the near future. Maybe this might suit you too OP. I couldn't find the motivation in any job I was in to make money for someone else. It sounds like you may have gone down the wrong career path like most people I know. Maybe you could go back to college as a mature student? Have the guts to make a change while you can.

Good luck.

Affable

TheRealist wrote: »

If you know for sure it's doing you damage get out. Simple as. I did similiar earlier this year and am much happier. Fair enough I'm not in the worst place financially, no mortgage, dependants etc.
This is plenty of "a job's a job" sheep out there, type of people who listen to Joe Duffy! The recession isn't affecting everyone to the same extent, unless you are one of those people who forked out an insane amount of money on some ****ty apartment just cos averyone else did it.

Anyway, I find I have the time to properly think and plan my future now. I plan on being self employed in the near future. Maybe this might suit you too OP. I couldn't find the motivation in any job I was in to make money for someone else. It sounds like you may have gone down the wrong career path like most people I know. Maybe you could go back to college as a mature student? Have the guts to make a change before while you can.

Good luck.

I agree. If you got **** to pay then do it. But no point in 9-5 hell for nuthin. If you got investments and no kids to support then do what you want.

ogriofa

Translation > if youre loaded sure why not.

Not very "realist"ic im afraid. If this guy quits his job and cant get another he's in serious trouble. No job, no dole and the super-stress of being unemployed.

OP, why not look for a job now and if you find one, of course leave. If you just leave now with no job you wont get dole cause you quit. How does that sound?

People, even a lot of friends, give advice and don't really give a sh1t what the outcome is. I've been in this position AND I'm not financially independent. Think hard about what comes from quitting.

I'll leave it there.

SueWho

ogriofa wrote: »

Translation > if youre loaded sure why not.

Not very "realist"ic im afraid. If this guy quits his job and cant get another he's in serious trouble. No job, no dole and the super-stress of being unemployed.

OP, why not look for a job now and if you find one, of course leave. If you just leave now with no job you wont get dole cause you quit. How does that sound?

People, even a lot of friends, give advice and don't really give a sh1t what the outcome is. I've been in this position AND I'm not financially independent. Think hard about what comes from quitting.

I'll leave it there.

+1 Ogriofa!

Leave if you can find another job first, but not before that.

Also, how about making plans for things you love- you could save up as much money and annual leave as possible and take a 3 or 4 week trip away. Sometimes all you need is something to look forward to and to plan towards and it will help you to see that each and every day at work is for a good purpose and will lead you to great opportunities in the future.

Jigsaw

Yeah, I understand where you're coming from but when quitting a job in these current economic circumstances, you'd need to be aware of the potential grave consequences of so doing.

I would recommend that you get off Boards.ie and have a long, hard think about what it is that you actually do want to do. Once you've done this, and in making the decision seek the advice of friends, family and any careers advice you can get, get onto every recruitment website you can, check out all the papers and other recruitment press you can find and look for that job. Also consider moving, perhaps to England. I know it's not nice to be uprooted from family etc but if you're only an hour's flight away it's not so bad.

It is easy to start to wallow in the problem but in my experience, you'll start to feel better as soon as you start proactively doing something to change the situation, no matter how gradual that may be.

But unless, you are REALLY REALLY at the end of your tether, do not give up your current job without first securing another because you will only end up swapping the stress you feel now with a potentially much greater stress.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire etc.......

Oh The Humanity

Its a horror show alright. I identify as well. I wake up every day and groan inwardly at the thoughts of another day at the office. Our office is all blame-game as well so you are constantly having to defend your job, a job you dont even want but NEED !!

I think the only thing you can do though is tough it out and try to become a bit immune to it with your attitude! There are so many people worse off that would kill for a 'cushy office job' -I know its stressful but we are lucky.

I think the expectation that you will always find work to suit or work that you will enjoy is a bit of a new invention. Even 20 years ago you just took what you could and were grateful. I think the best thing to do is change your outlook.

Stick with the job because look at the headlines this morning, those with a job are very lucky.

Firetrap

I think the last poster has the best advice. Start looking for a new job but don't jack in the one you have. If you get a new one, well that solves your problem. You would be absolutely insane to leave your job at the moment, no matter how horrible it is. I work near a dole office and that just hammers home the point of how bad it is out there and how many people would potentially be competing with you for jobs.

LegacyUser

Why not just go out sick for a few weeks? Your company will have to give you your full wages for 13 weeks and you will be relaxed, happier, and less tired when you come back.

LegacyUser

Hi folks, this is the OP here. Thanks for all your musings.

I have to laugh at the last suggestion of going sick for a few weeks, I just don’t think that’s right for one. Secondly, I would return to absolute chaos so not exactly a long term solution.

Well, already this week I’ve been working to 5am, had clients shouting down the phone at me (standard practice), working with other stressed-out freaks and am constantly dizzy and stressed out myself, dreaming about work and just generally freaking out.

I have a bit of cash saved up, not too worried about getting the dole; I have a potential manual job (with animals no less) lined up to help make ends meet. All in all, I’d love to hand in my notice but there’s always that doubt.

I’ll let you know if I do decide to quit, it would be like a weight lifted off my chest. Thanks for your thoughts.

gpjordanf1

WhingeBag wrote: »

Hi folks, this is the OP here. Thanks for all your musings.

I have to laugh at the last suggestion of going sick for a few weeks, I just dont think thats right for one. Secondly, I would return to absolute chaos so not exactly a long term solution.

Well, already this week Ive been working to 5am, had clients shouting down the phone at me (standard practice), working with other stressed-out freaks and am constantly dizzy and stressed out myself, dreaming about work and just generally freaking out.

I have a bit of cash saved up, not too worried about getting the dole; I have a potential manual job (with animals no less) lined up to help make ends meet. All in all, Id love to hand in my notice but theres always that doubt.

Ill let you know if I do decide to quit, it would be like a weight lifted off my chest. Thanks for your thoughts.

your health comes before a crap job, regardless of what recession the country's in, wishing you luck with whatever you decide, all the best.

Firetrap

It could do but I'm sure there are lots of people on the dole who would rather have a cr@p job than not know when they're going to work again.

LegacyUser

If I was you I would't dream of leaving your job.

You sound like you really hate it but I would consider changing my attitude, I would be more assertive and change my ways after all whats the worst thing that could happen.

Good luck.