Finding meaning through work

[Katy91]

I hate my job - I'm an accountant. I have spent countless hours fantasising about changing my job.  Literally hours and hours searching on the internet for different jobs.  I think having a job with meaning would make such a different to my life because I don't really have a life.  I have just a couple of friends who I see occasionally and I don't have any hobbies or any enthusiasm for trying something new.  I could join a social club but I think it would be overwhelming stressful.  I find it very difficult to make conversation with new people.

 

Anyway in terms of changing my job I don't think I can afford it.  I couldn't afford to pay the bills on £15k a year.  I suppose people who can live on this sort of salary have a supportive partner who can help pay the bills.

 

Do you have a job that you find meaningful or are you able to find meaning in life outside work?

[LoveandLight]

Well what would you like to do? I'm love hearing people's dreams..

[Katy91]

Maybe psychologist, nurse, midwife.

[InvisibleUnless]

if youre looking to switch to something more fulfilling, especially something that would mean taking an unworkable financial hit, i would recommend trying to transition over time.  even just working on your dream can be more encouraging than sitting back and wishing and feeling daunted by the practicalities.

 

all those things you mentioned in your second post can involve taking classes and certification tests and stuff---you can be studying, learning, or even be enrolled in night or online classes that get you closer to your goals while still working your old job.  it might be very slow going if youre pressed for time and energy, but even just independent study until you have some time or money to take actual certification courses could really help you along.

 

they sound like potentially noble and more fulfilling occupations, too.  and as for closing the pay gap, perhaps working towards having a more generalized practice that involves multiple focal groups so that you get enough continual employment would make it more feasible (assuming your listing of three things wasnt just your single dream job already).  those are also very social jobs, compared to your current one, and i agree that youd probably find more peers and social satisfaction in those types of settings.

 

after i quit the meds, i decided to pursue an art career after spending all the drugged-out time figuring it was a practical impossibility.  im too sick from withdrawal to make great strides in some areas, but im building the framework and really think its a possibility in ways i did not believe while i was still on meds.  if im going to go all-in to something in life, it might as well be what i feel best about.

[Marta]

Hi   !

I'm from Italy and there is a high incidence of unemployment here... here you are considered lucky if, at least, you have a temporay job (that you may also hate). 

A lot of graduated people (engeneers, lawyers, scientists) still live with their family because they can't find a job, industries are closing and salaries are low.

This leads to a general depression climate and a lot of uncertainty for the future. (anti depressant prescriptions are growing exponentially  )

So usually you can't dream of having a different job because you'll never find it.  it's very sad. I'm sure in us and uk things are better. 

 

Personally, I have to admit it, I'm quite lucky....I don't have long term certanities, but now I have a temporaty job in a library and also a phd position (btw it's very hard to work and study because I'm feeling bad for w\d).

Having a job it's a double sided coin, it's very useful to distract your mind, but it can also causes a lot of unwanted stress....

[oskcajga]

You might hate your job, but at least you have an income.  You think you have difficulties now?  Just wait until you switch over to something you love doing and cannot afford to pay the bills.  Having a steady income makes a tremendous amount of difference in life, and allows us the luxury of thinking about things we could not possibly have considered thinking of when we're trying to make ends meet and worrying about the future.

 

I realize that your job might be awful and you might hate it, but it's very rare in life that people do something that they love.  Extremely rare.  This is just the reality of life on Earth today, most people will never do something they love.  I would suggest trying to accept the situation as best you can through meditation, etc.  I've always found acceptance to be very helpful.

 

I don't have much other advice.  Perhaps write a gratitude list?

[Martina23]

While I am waiting by the dentist, I read Osks post and could not hold it not to tell my opinion. I dont think that it is better to have unwanted job with big income compared to smaller income and your favourite job. I think the people are good only in things they like and the progress takes place only if people really do their job with passion. In other case you will waste your capabilities with jobs which dont make you happy. It is like to marry someone whom you love and is poor compared to wealthy old man where you dont have any fancy in him. I would take the first option as you have only one life and what you feel is the most important.

[Junglechicken]

I would love to have done a PhD and made enquiries before leaving Canada. Even had a number of research areas to literature review.

 

But having been non-resident for several years, I am not eligible for funding. To self-fund would cost ££££s per year.

 

As we have been living off savings for the last few months including the huge cost of moving transatlantic, going into academia at this stage in my life isn't an option.

 

Period.