Fed up with job want to switch to something more basic

Hi OP,

I really wanted to post, as I am pretty much in the same situation...I'm so glad you have taken a chance and apply for the other job in the shop near to you -fingers crossed. The only thing I would say is, don't get too disheartened if nothing comes of that, something else good will come your way if you go out and look for it.

I've worked in office based roles for the last 10 years, from banks to insurance, and I've come to realise that the corporate world just isn't for me. The following is a big long rant that you can just skip if you feel like...

A few months ago, I felt really down, depressed, waking up in the middle of the night stressing about the emails I hadn't sent, or the 20 that would be waiting when I got into work the next day - it felt like I was slowly drowning.

And I understood why I have been resisting moving up in roles over the past few years...it always seemed like a bit more money for a lot more stress.
I was also studying part time for work, two evenings a week, and that made it even worse I think.
I remember at one point wondering to myself 'why am I studying to be better at a job I don't even like'....

Obviously, not everybody feels like this - some people can hack working in an office, making half decent money... answering a million emails a day, but I feel like I will die of boredom if I stay here, there's no room for creativity, meetings are boring and pointless, my 'nice' colleagues just dump work on me that they can't be bothered doing.


ANYWAY... I have been seeing a life coach for the last little while, who has helped me to look at what my career values are, and try to find something that aligns with that. I handed in my notice at work

I'm going to take the summer to try out new things, probably work in a shop or a cafe or something like that, maybe travel a bit...and there is a professional cookery course starting later in the year that I want to do. I have a bit of savings, and no dependents so I'm lucky in that sense.

The key thing I have learned from the life coach, is that you don't have to throw the whole lot away and start again...you can if you want to, but small steps in a new direction, something that interests you more.

I won't have it all figured out by the summer, but that's ok. I feel lighter already having taken positive steps in the right direction...whatever that ends up turning into.

People seem to ask what you do when they meet you...or what you're working at, but they don't seem to ask if you are happy doing it. I would be so much happier making less money, doing something more basic that I enjoy. Meeting people, making food, being a bit creative, producing something tangible, being outdoors for a bit.... I'm still coming to terms with letting go of a proper career path in a respectable job, and 'wasting my potential', that is something I will have to work on...

Who knows, in a few years I might try to start my own cafe, grow my own vegetables, have a market stall, something like that...maybe it will happen, maybe not, but I want to try and live a different type of life, and I'll never get there sitting in that grey office, being depressed.

Hi OP,

well done on just making the step of considering the change.
I've come to realise a few years back that there is more to life than a job that pays well. I'm currently in a decent job (not fantastic money, but good colleagues and i find it interesting most of the time and frustrating at others). I was recently approached by a recuiter via linkedIn to put myself forward for a similar position but with a 25K salary increase.
One look at the job description turned me right off, I knew I'd have a longer commute and it would also involve international travel, so less time with my family.
The extra money would have been nice but my wife and I decided that it wouldn't make up for the lost time.

There are more important things than money, as long as you have enough to get by.

Life is far too short to spend in a job that drains the life out of you.

Best of luck

Unpaid? They want you back for more unpaid work? Of course they do!

Alarm bells alright. This is not how things should be done.

I don't think you're in a position to be asking pointed questions to be honest.
What good will it do?
There's already someone else for the job.

Fair play for trying. At least you're not left wondering 'what if'. And something else will turn up,

Hi OP,

I was following this thread too. Fair play to you for giving it a shot. Sorry it didnt work out on this occasion. You seem like a very level headed and patient person so I think you will eventually get what you are looking for.

At least now that you have planted the seed you will prob take more notice of other opportunities that otherwise may have passed you by.

Thanks for sharing your story, gives others (like myself) to look at our own situation and maybe think about that change!

Ah that is deadly news! Congrads!