Should I leave?

LegacyUser

I am 30 year old guy and I've been in Dublin for the last few years and I feel like I am stuck in a rut.

I've been in the one job since I moved here but I've thought about leaving multiple times but there was always a reason to say e.g. really good project that'd look great on my CV, learning off some smart people, taking a career break and having a job there for when I returned. But for the last two years I've completely lost all drive in work. I only do what is asked of me and nothing more. I dread going into the office every morning and cannot wait until it hits 5PM so that I can leave.

I ended up taking a career break to go off solo travelling for a few months and I really enjoyed it. Since I've come back I was really down as I was back in a dead end job, everything I was doing was something I've done before nothing was new and exciting. In my job there is not enough work for me to do so I'm only busy half of the day and I work I do get is really boring and uninteresting. I knew it would be like this when I came back so my plan was to try and find a new job here but now that doesn't interest me.

When I came home an expat friend of mine is planning to leave Dublin and head for Australia and they want me to join them. I'm giving it a lot of thought as it gives me both a new place to explore and I can also look for a new job out there.

I work in IT so I know if it doesn't work out over there I could easily get and job back here or else where but for some reason I still questioning myself am I doing the right thing. I'd have no shame coming back after a few months as at least I'd know I tried.

I am terrified of quitting my job without having another one lined up despite being really unhappy in my current job and having more than my current yearly net salary saved up. That said what scares me more is staying in my current job and my daily routine being exactly the same.

I guess I wanted know do you think I am doing the right thing?

Big Bag of Chips

Absolutely you should go. You're not going to lose anything and you'll gain a great experience. Even if it doesn't work out (which it probably will) at least you have had the experience of giving it a go.

Something else that stood out from your post is your working full-time, with only enough work to keep you going for half the day. Why not ask for a reduction in hours? Work half days, or 3 days a week or something and then you'll have more time off not just sitting in an office getting bored. It'll reduce your salary, obviously but you seem to have quite a bit saved, so lesser hours won't be a huge hit to you for a while.

There is a lot more to life than just working 9-5 in a boring job, and if you have the opportunity of something different, be that part-time, or travel (or both eventually) then you absolutely should try it.

average_runner

If your not busy, does your team lead know? Have you raised this in your reviews? A project will only look good on your cv if you contributed massively to it.

Maybe look at some online training courses to keep busy but leaving seems like the best option.

LegacyUser

It's not just mean it's my whole team we are really stuck for work to do. I suspect our team will be broken up at the end of the year and told to find new jobs inside the company.

Yeah working half days would be ideal but I'm not sure that is offered in my company but I guess it's worth exploring.

Another reason for going is for me its either now or never as if I wait until after my next birthday I will be too old to apply for the visa (well the cheaper one).

I know my parents won't understand but my friends and siblings have been all telling me to go.

WIZWEB

Your mental health and happiness should be your priorities.

I've left various high paying careers behind me over the years. For a multitude of reasons from boredom to high stress. Often with much less career opportunity than yourself to ever return. Even though educated to Masters level. In my case I remember lots of Public Sevice colleagues 'stuck' on previous high pay scales before the cuts were implemented for new employees. They were often miserable, stressed, depressed and physically their health wasn't good after years of either drama or boredom depending on the department. Many probably won't even experience this pension they so much cherish for long after their careers have ended. Nobody on their deathbed will say I should have spent more time in a job I didn't like.

You enjoyed travelling. You've probably a job on your return. You've got savings so you can afford to do this. I've lived and worked abroad in the U.K, New Zealand and America on a whim in my thirties. Bit of preparation and I was always fine, met new people and had a great time. Your friends going to Oz are a great resource.

I'm mid forties now. Only thing stopping me travelling again was an alliance to a previous toxic job (I left with nothing else set up almost a year ago) and recent relationship. Oh and the negative equity mortgage. Though I can rent this place out now so no excuses. I've a few plans I'm engaged in for the next year or two and if they don't work out I'll be heading off again and most likely on my own close to 50.

Just do it. You'll never regret it more than years of doing what you're currently doing.

Graces7

UNSURE123 wrote: »

It's not just mean it's my whole team we are really stuck for work to do. I suspect our team will be broken up at the end of the year and told to find new jobs inside the company.

Yeah working half days would be ideal but I'm not sure that is offered in my company but I guess it's worth exploring.

Another reason for going is for me its either now or never as if I wait until after my next birthday I will be too old to apply for the visa (well the cheaper one).

I know my parents won't understand but my friends and siblings have been all telling me to go.

They need to know that if they let you go and are happy for you and supportive, you will come back.

beauf

... definately go. Even if it doesn't work out, it will be a heck of an experience. You'll never be 30 again.