Work

[Warrior74]

I've always been a poor struggling artist. Even the few times I worked for corporate or government, I hated it. I used to loath going to my government job as it was the worst creative environment I've ever worked in and the people sucked, but I sucked it up as I had a kid to feed for 7 years. Now I'm living in a hovel, freelancing, barely getting by. But I am more satisfied with my work and myself. Less chics though. It's always a trade off innit?

 

[nirvana2011]

Yo mama.I am in the exact same situation as you.32 yrs old single no wife/kids ,high paying job with nice fancy car.However dread going to work every mon.Want to do something independent but no idea what to do.So you are not the only one.However I feel it is a good time at this stage of our lives to do some serious introspection.Lately I have been feeling like leaving my job..sell the car and just go somewhere..anywhere .However like other have mentioned you might want to think real hard about quitting the job unless you have a plan..I have been thinking about getting into paramedic school..atleast something worthwhile doing rather than working a corporate job..I wish things work out for you..

@SUE Madre-With all due respect changing jobs in not as easy as easy as you make it sound and what is the point of changing companies if you are doing the same job..Guess it is the grass is greener on the other side syndrome..

 

[Mr.Positive]

If you haven't already, start planning your retirement NOW. The earlier the better. If you're careful with your money, there's a good chance you can retire at a decent age, while you still have your health and some life left in you. That way, even if you have to stay in the rat race awhile, at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

That's a really good point too, and can be a catch-22.

Yo'Mama', I was in a similar situation as you. I had a good paying IT tech job that I just hated. I couldn't do the whole M-F 40 50 hour workweeks, stuck behind a desk most of the time...taking work home, etc. The office politics, etc.

I went through a period transitioning into a different career, more skilled blue collar work actually. I make a little less money, but am a lot happier. I actually look forward to work (sounds crazy I know). The job has a lot of action and adventure to it, and I always have exciting stories to tell that are work-related. The downside is that it is a bit dangerous work, I've had some close calls, and one bad injury that put me out of work for 2 months to recover.

So, there is trade-offs. Money, safety, being one of them.

It's not always easy switching careers, you often have to start at the bottom again and work your way back up.

I'd give your situation a lot of thought before making any big decisions. Right now, with the economy, it can be very tough to make career changes.

 

[davewe]

My job is a boring corporate slave job and I hate it. The only thing that keeps me in it I think is seeing people with much worse jobs who get paid much less and get treated badly to boot.

If I could find a job that paid a quarter as much and I actually enjoyed, I would move in a second.

Your plight makes me want to comment on several different things, though I have no solution for you. First, I thought of an old saying (I'm paraphrasing). "The poor man worries because he's borrowed money. The rich man worries because he's leant out money. The condition of worry is the same."

In other words, you can be suffering because you have a crappy job or no job at all, or suffering because you have a high paying job that you despise. The condition of suffering is the same.

I also feel that you have to make a plan soon because at your age the time might soon come when you have kids and once you do that you will feel like you can't leave your corporate job (though you can).

Don't just change jobs. Create a life plan. You want a business? Take the money you're making now and the experience you're developing and build that business.

You want to help people? Use your financial experience to get a job helping others. It won't pay squat but you'll feel fulfilled.

But whatever you do, don't go horizontal into another corporate ****hole!

I've done a little (actually a lot) of everything: small crappy jobs, owed my own business for 14 years; and now work for a Fortune 500 in cubicle land. There's good and bad to each. Use the experience you're now having to achieve the next goal. DO NOT plan to retire from this company!

 

[Yo'Mama]

Thank you brothers. Some really good replies and food for thought.

Davewe - yes, it would be all too easy to move horizontally. Actually that's what I've done the last few years but inevitably I have ended up equally dissatisfied.

Mr.Positive - congrats on making the move. Sounds like a really brave step. Would love to know what you do but understand that you probably don't want to reveal that information. Hey my job is dangerous too man! I got a paper cut the other day, lol.

Nirvana - it's good that you have a plan. I desperately need one. Keep racking my brains to come up with something but nothing so far. I would love to write - books or screenplays. But obviously that's not exactly a practical thing to do. Success is far from assured and even if it were to happen eventually it would take a few years to see any revenue.

Warrior - congrats on having the guts to live that life man. I admire you and wish you every success.

I think the biggest thing I have going for me at the moment is that I don't have dependants. If I did, as davewe said, I would feel locked in. I am at the age when it's really normal to have kids but I don't want them at least for another few years (if at all).

The economy is pretty scary and it's hard to see how things are going to go. I have friends who have been out of work for a long time and can't even get an interview. And these are people with first class degrees. They're even more miserable than I am. I think for now I'll keep slogging through each day, but will try to come up with some sort of plan. I have to say the idea of starting from the bottom again isn't appealing but if that's what it takes.