Completely lost in life

LegacyUser

A while ago I was working in a good job on a short term contract.
Interviews came up for long term posts and I was aware that I would almost certainly get one of the posts.
I didn't go for the interviews.

I thought I'd move away as I'd never lived in a big city. So I went for an interview in Cork and got a job there.
I didnt take the job.

In a few months it will be 2 years since all this happened. I haven't worked a day since and have been living at home.

I got quite a poor degree as I never applied myself and my leaving cert would be average.
This means that I'm ruled out of one or two areas I would have an interest in working in.

The reason I didn't take up any of the job offers was because I suppose I was unhappy in the job.
Originally I thought a job in a big city would excite me but I think deep down I knew that I would still be in a job I didn't want to be in,only in another place. Id worked at it for about 4 years and didn't enjoy it.

I dream of doing something different only I've no idea what. As I said anything I look into is shut to me.
Essentially I'm left with unskilled work or back to the old job.
I'm not even sure the old jobs even an option as I've no Idea how I'd explain a 2 year black hole.

I'm completely lost.
I'm embarrassed that I've procrastinated and stood still so long that it's now been 2 wasted years.

Pecker31

Lostmonkey wrote: »

A while ago I was working in a good job on a short term contract.
Interviews came up for long term posts and I was aware that I would almost certainly get one of the posts.
I didn't go for the interviews.

I thought I'd move away as I'd never lived in a big city. So I went for an interview in Cork and got a job there.
I didnt take the job.

In a few months it will be 2 years since all this happened. I haven't worked a day since and have been living at home.

I got quite a poor degree as I never applied myself and my leaving cert would be average.
This means that I'm ruled out of one or two areas I would have an interest in working in.

The reason I didn't take up any of the job offers was because I suppose I was unhappy in the job.
Originally I thought a job in a big city would excite me but I think deep down I knew that I would still be in a job I didn't want to be in,only in another place. Id worked at it for about 4 years and didn't enjoy it.

I dream of doing something different only I've no idea what. As I said anything I look into is shut to me.
Essentially I'm left with unskilled work or back to the old job.
I'm not even sure the old jobs even an option as I've no Idea how I'd explain a 2 year black hole.

I'm completely lost.
I'm embarrassed that I've procrastinated and stood still so long that it's now been 2 wasted years.

Hi.. It's easy to procrastinate now but you really have to sit down and have a think. Doing something in lift is better than doing nothing, I went from being a manager of the best hotel in Ireland to now collecting money for Bin Refuse, and I have never been happier.

Quality of life can be rated on many scales not only work.

Apply again and maybe read some books on being positive ~ go to sleep every night and tell yourself one positive thing you did that day ~ small steps are better than bigs ones

Fakediamond

You sound paralysed and stuck now and probably a bit depressed because you can't get what you want, and don't want what you can get. I worked in jobs I didn't like for years, mainly to pay bills but with no real satisfaction. Eventually i went back to education, got a degree through distance learning, working full-time all the while, and got a job I love. It took a while but was so worth it in the end.

Set a goal, make a plan, and go for it. It might take a while to get where you want, but it can be done. In the meantime, get some sort of job, because what you're doing now is not good for you and at least having a few quid gives you freedom to do some fun stuff in your spare time, until you get the career you want.

hellyeah

hi op. with regard to the 2 year black hole just say you were traveling etc working with a family member etc.
I never done 3rd level and do not regret it. I have worked many un-skilled jobs in the passed but because of a good work ethic imo i have always moved up through the ranks and have got were i want to be.
What i am trying to say is you do not have to work in a particular field, apply for anything you fancy and give it a go. I have and in the past 22 years of my working
life i have had many jobs and have learned many life skills along the way. I have had jobs in the past i was not even qualified for.
What i do now i enjoy but if i fancy a change in the future i will.
Confidence comes with age. Go for it.

stillatit

I sometimes teach courses for the long term unemployed. I have had people who have had much longer breaks from work for various psychological and emotional reasons. Most have ended up back making a living. Think about the advice from other posters, it is all valuable. Just make up your mind and go for something. It can only get better. Just do it.

pgj2015

Have you been in contact with a career guidance counsellor op? if not, I would recommend a visit it one, some offer a free service, ask your citizens advice about them. i'm sure whatever it is you have an interest in, you can achieve one way or another. also i second what a previous poster has said about saying you worked for a family member or a friend during your 2 year unemployment gap.

gercoral

Quality of life can be rated on many scales not only work.

Apply again and maybe read some books on being positive ~ go to sleep every night and tell yourself one positive thing you did that day ~ small steps are better than bigs ones[/QUOTE]

^^Love this!

OP, don't give up! there's plenty of ways to get back into working or to even get the mind going. springboard, online courses, distance learning, volunteering. there is plenty. as the above poster said, small steps and better than big ones (and no ones)