Anyone else feel like they're just surviving, not living?

LegacyUser · 20-06-2010 9:44pm #1

I'm in a pretty boring job with lots of nasty politics, and I'm living in a boring suburb (renting) and don't really have much of a life or see myself having much of a life in this country.

I don't think I am depressed, I just feel like I'm not really living, I'm just surviving.

I get up in the morning, go to work, work all day, come home, surf the web or watch TV or go to the gym, shower, sleep... I know this is most people's lives but I feel I am capable of more.

My bank account balance is getting bigger, and I don't have any debt or any major problems, but I don't really feel this is what life should be.

Should I consider just quitting my job and travelling for a year or emigrating to a foreign country to experience a new culture?

I am 31 and have about 30k in the bank.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 21-06-2010 12:34pm

I'm in the same position as yourself, but I am quite happy. Saying that a lot of things are pushing me out of this country, the HSE being the main factor. I have had some health problems in the past that were completely neglected by hospitals and doctors, which lead to other problems etc etc. On seeing this my girlfriend who is belgian, was appalled. I plan to move abroad at some stage, holland, belgium or something. Definately a higher standard of living.

Do realise that life is very much about working during the week, socialising at the weekend. 13 hours of my day is taken up with work, and I only work 7.5 hours a day (not including lunch). If you have a good job, and you think you will get something better, then go abroad for a year, but don't spend all your money :P. Would you have many people to leave behind? Family, friends? I would give most of them up in a heartbeat to get the chance to move abroad. Not nice to say, but meh...

mikemac · 21-06-2010 5:06pm

Ah OP, I could have written your post , though I'm a bit younger and a bit more saved
I had a good job, earned a good bit but wasn't happy.
Loved my teammates, best job I ever had.
But you'd be working 13 hours some day with barely a chance to grab a sandwich, check the username

Quit last Friday, scared myself stupid.
Going travelling at the end of next month and spending the next six weeks doing nothing but getting super fit and studying for exams, two goals of mine. Off travelling for a year then.

It's not all doom and gloom, they are jobs out there. You're 31 so you have experience and in a years time you might get an even better job.

Don't be trapped by fear and by people saying "you're lucky to have a job".
You'll get another and if you're good maybe your old job will take you back.
Just come back with some savings to tide you over, don't spend everything

tenchi-fan · 21-06-2010 5:44pm

Hi

I think you need to enjoy your money a bit more.
When you're on bad money you scrimp and it's an achievement to save. When you're on better money you should just try to enjoy yourself a bit more!
I don't mean buy a brand new car.. that seems to be what most people do when they have too much money and nothing imaginative to spend it on!

I'm sorta just starting on in my job and I don't think I'm getting a fair wage. I scrimp but never seem to have anything after mortgage and bills so I don't have a lot of money. And despite the long hours and nightmare commute, no one has any sympathy because I'm "lucky to have a job!" apparently.

I'm under 35 so I'm planning on packing in my job and going to canada on a one year working holiday visa. Hopefully I'll be on a better salary while "living" a bit more.

This programme might suit you too. It looks good on your cv to have worked in a different country, and you could work abroad for 6 months then continue your round-the-world trip rather than blowing your life savings. That money might come in handy if you decide to grab a bargain property when you get back home.

empirix · 21-06-2010 5:59pm

justawonderin wrote: »

I'm in a pretty boring job with lots of nasty politics, and I'm living in a boring suburb (renting) and don't really have much of a life or see myself having much of a life in this country.

I don't think I am depressed, I just feel like I'm not really living, I'm just surviving.

I get up in the morning, go to work, work all day, come home, surf the web or watch TV or go to the gym, shower, sleep... I know this is most people's lives but I feel I am capable of more.

My bank account balance is getting bigger, and I don't have any debt or any major problems, but I don't really feel this is what life should be.

Should I consider just quitting my job and travelling for a year or emigrating to a foreign country to experience a new culture?

I am 31 and have about 30k in the bank.

wow 30k, you need to enjoy this, perhaps buy property, you could always go travelling whilst renting it out, personally i would go around the world backpacking for a year or two, maybe working short term along the way, i have done half the world on 14k in a year,whilst working here and there, had an amazing time,lots of interesting places, parties, good times, girls etc etc Would love to do it all again!!

tenchi-fan · 21-06-2010 6:35pm

empirix wrote: »

wow 30k, you need to enjoy this, perhaps buy property

This really isn't a bad idea - the op buying before he/she leaves. When I was buying my house (the cheapest on the market at the time .. now not the cheapest but still not too bad) people were saying "oh, you're tying yourself down. You won't be able to travel again!"

But my view was.. "great, I'll have somewhere to come home to!"

The only problem is the op would need a very cheap house. Otherwise the deposit will wipe out the savings. and also an emergency fund to cover the mortgage for periods when the property is vacant as banks generally no longer allow payment holidays or interest only in the first year.

degrassinoel · 21-06-2010 7:45pm

sebatacle(sp?) - go explore the world, put a big dent in that nest egg, come home in about a year all the better for it

Denimgirl · 21-06-2010 8:07pm

Keep 20k in high interest bank account if you can find one these days! and leave with the 10k try not to spend it all though, just use it as security it wil give you a chance to rent a cheap place and look for a job it's a nice feeling that the money is there should anything go pear shaped while abroad!I'm doing the same myself next month, better do it now you might not get a chance if you have responibilities in the future!Good Luck x

Ps,I think buying property would add stress to you!having a big mortage over your head and making sure someone is paying rent etc;it was a good idea in the boom,but there are far too many empty houses/apartments as it is, you'd be adding more stress on your self.

Lollipops23 · 21-06-2010 8:31pm

I'm the same-in a job that I spend most of the day staring at the clock....I've found that setting myself some goals,such as the holiday I have in Sep,the fact I want to get a car before Xmas and travelling late next year are a good incentive to get up in the morning;) Now I'm not long in the job so it may not work out longterm(like the travel plans),but the focus helps.

Set yourself some goals, what do you really want to do??

Cullen82 · 21-06-2010 8:40pm

justawonderin wrote: »

Should I consider just quitting my job and travelling for a year or emigrating to a foreign country to experience a new culture?

I am 31 and have about 30k in the bank.

Should you consider it? God yeah...I did exactly this 2 years ago. Left a long term girlfriend, well paid job etc and fecked off everywhere I could think of for enlightenment.....mind you I did'nt budget and spent close to what you have saved at the moment which I don't even regret in the slightest.

I'm planning on going again next year when I get enough dollars together.

justawonderin wrote: »

I get up in the morning, go to work, work all day, come home, surf the web or watch TV or go to the gym, shower, sleep... I know this is most people's lives but I feel I am capable of more.

This is something I think about almost every second day, I don't know how I ever sat in watching tv after a mundane day at work - in fact I will admit to enjoying surfing the web but by choice I don't even have a tv anymore. I feel frustrated , cursed almost by a want for "a life less ordinary" and whats even worse, even though it's none of my business, I get annoyed when I see others with no sense of adventure or just settling for the rat race. (I know this might offend some people but I mean no harm - I know there are a lot of people out there who are happy to be living like this and good on them)

30k would take you a long long way, You're still young mate with no ties?

At least consider it and don't just talk the talk - I'm very jealous of your situation:D

irishh_bob · 21-06-2010 8:41pm

justawonderin wrote: »

I'm in a pretty boring job with lots of nasty politics, and I'm living in a boring suburb (renting) and don't really have much of a life or see myself having much of a life in this country.

I don't think I am depressed, I just feel like I'm not really living, I'm just surviving.

I get up in the morning, go to work, work all day, come home, surf the web or watch TV or go to the gym, shower, sleep... I know this is most people's lives but I feel I am capable of more.

My bank account balance is getting bigger, and I don't have any debt or any major problems, but I don't really feel this is what life should be.

Should I consider just quitting my job and travelling for a year or emigrating to a foreign country to experience a new culture?

I am 31 and have about 30k in the bank.

if your not tied down financially or otherwise , go for it , you wont be able to do it in ten years or possibley five , sometimes we have to throw ourselves in at the deep end

p.s , buying property is a redicolous idea at this time , number one , property has much further to fall and more importantly , you dont need it right now if your going abroad

LegacyUser · 22-06-2010 2:21am

To quote jfk "we should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes" life's short, live it and enjoy:)

R.D. aka MR.D · 22-06-2010 6:30am

I think travel and maybe work somewhere is a great idea.

Travel is amazing fun and working in a different country/language/system of rules and expectations gives you a great perspective on life. Especially if it’s off the beaten track a bit.

If you’ve no ties then I say go for it! Start researching now!

decembersun77 · 22-06-2010 8:51am

Well if i were you I would emigrate, thats if you don't have commitments here. Ireland is a very small country, small population. I feel like im surviving too, life here is like surviving to exist for some people not just emotionally but socially like to do normal ordinary things here like go to the cinema is very expensive and in countries that are not fully developed is like 2 euro to see a film, it doesn't make sense.

Travelling is great chance to learn and grow as a person, look at it like a adventure and believe its the start of great things. I would be out of this country if I had a good record of work or a good college qualification like a degree.

My brother left here to go to australia, he didnt't know one person there, he doesn't have a good record of work history all he had was a Fas course even though he was scared, he was determined, it was very tough for him there, he became homeless there, he didnt get much steady work, he didnt have money he worked waitering and in kitchens and he became very sick there he was down to 6 stone and had to have operations but alot of good came out of his time there he met the love of his life there. He inspires me. You have financial security, you have a good work background, I don't know what is stopping you.

Morphie · 26-06-2010 6:28am

justawonderin wrote: »

I'm in a pretty boring job with lots of nasty politics, and I'm living in a boring suburb (renting) and don't really have much of a life or see myself having much of a life in this country.

I don't think I am depressed, I just feel like I'm not really living, I'm just surviving.

I get up in the morning, go to work, work all day, come home, surf the web or watch TV or go to the gym, shower, sleep... I know this is most people's lives but I feel I am capable of more.

My bank account balance is getting bigger, and I don't have any debt or any major problems, but I don't really feel this is what life should be.

Should I consider just quitting my job and travelling for a year or emigrating to a foreign country to experience a new culture?

I am 31 and have about 30k in the bank.

A very typical "I live to work" when you'd be happier with "I work to live".

You're the same as I, I'm 22, just moved to Ireland from England. I fancied something different, if I don't find it here within a year I'm going to France.

I'm not solid in any department, but I can't live with routine boringness that everyone else seems to just accept.

Fact is really, there isn't much you can do about it, unless you're willing to take risks. I know people back in England who have over 100K+ savings, and that's all it is for them, saving. They won't spend it on living, they will just continue to work and save money they won't do anything with.

..except pass it on to their children, who will do things with it.

Anyone else feel like they're just surviving, not living?

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