Lacking confidence/motivation to move on

[Beansprout30]

So I'm due to return to my job following nine months maternity leave soon, I've worked at the same place eight years and following an acquisition, my job is no longer as fulfilling as it once was. I hung it out as we'd planned to start a family and now I feel it's time to move on.

Trouble is I keep coming up with excuses not to! I've had reduced hours confirmed so I think I'd struggle to find a new job with similar hours to balance work/family life, we would also like another baby in the near future and wonder if I should just stay where I am till after baby number two.

I also lack confidence and am in that typical 'comfortable' situation. Can someone give me a virtual kick up the backside?

[Allthebestnamesareused]

I actually think I would wait for maybe a year (if you can bear it) so you can adjust to what it is like working and having a baby because it will be easier with work and people you know than going somewhere new.

You may find that actually it will matter less to you that work is not fulfilling. If you use it as a transitional period and look at where you are in say 8 months then you may decide you do or don't want the move you think you do now.

[bluebelltippytoes]

I agree with Allthebest.

Go back to work and then see how you feel. You may find that you have enough going on balancing work/baby/home without changing jobs. You may actually grateful for reduced hours in a job you can do standing on your head.

New jobs can be very stressful. Don't be at all surprised if your priorities have changed when you go back.

[Beansprout30]

Thank you both I think that's sensible advice really. I'm struggling to accept that my colleague who came to the company only six months before I went on maternity leave with zero experience has pretty much snapped the last of the responsibilities that I had! I guess I should just let her get on with it

[bluebelltippytoes]

Bean, everything happens for a reason. At the moment, it might be frustrating that your shiny new colleague has all the responsibility. When you go back, you might be really glad that you can get out of the door on time while she is stuck in the office until 7pm trying to sort problems out.

Just see how it works when you go back. You can always shake things up a bit but best to do it after you've entered the baby phase.

[Beansprout30]

Very true blue, that's what my mum has been trying to tell me. I think the best thing for me to do is just stay then and hope we can conceive baby no 2 shortly, and get back on maternity leave!

[bluebelltippytoes]

Something I have started doing in the last few years which has really helped is thinking in terms of what do I need/want right now. This changes quite often.

So, if I have an example which is challenging me like a new colleague getting all the responsibility. Then I think to myself 'what do I need?'. Although the colleague thing is annoying, I probably don't need the hassle of those extra responsibilities. I have a new baby and probably need an easier life at work (for now anyway). I need to get out on time so I can pick baby up without too much stress. If I'm thinking of baby number 2 shortly then I probably need to conserve some energy for DH! {wink]

[bluebelltippytoes]

[Beansprout30]

Ha I like you're thinking! Yes you are right, I shall let her crack on and I'll sit back and watch her struggle