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Best jobs for good wellbeing

10 replies

blackcat86 · 25/11/2019 10:53

I am fast approaching mid 30s having spent since I was at uni working in 'helping' professions. This has been mostly working with young people, in schools, some project work and then a social work type role with adults. My degree is in psychology. I have had a period off for mat leave and have been back around 6 months.

It feels like my wellbeing is increasingly taking a battering. I have managed to get a fairly flexible £30+K job (I work 3 days so take home around 19K) which is great but I'm constantly run down, exhausted and ill. Its not a great time to be in the public sector and I'm increasingly frustrated by the lack of resources, bureaucracy and negative work environment - I looked around the office the other day and every wall/cupboard is covered in notes about flushing the toilet, cleaning your dishes, being quiet. Then I go out on visits and am faced with a range of difficult clients. I feel like I am approaching burnout and need major change but I have no idea what in because my experience lends itself to other helping professions with many of the same issues.

I'm looking for inspiration for jobs that promote good wellbeing rather than taking all of my emotional energy. Any ideas or experiences?

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SurpriseSparDay · 25/11/2019 17:45

I have always, always envied professional gardeners. Not the municipal type - an Oxbridge college or Landmark Trust property; that must be a wonderful life.

Presumably you want fewer people around than you have now? But creative professions, where you might get a bit of peace and quiet demand vast amounts of emotional energy, and a thick skin.

Opera singers have a sweet life in some ways - people have to be nice to them as any upset affects their voice - but the responsibility and need to meet expectations would kill me within a week

It’s not easy!.

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blackcat86 · 25/11/2019 18:18

I'm certainly jealous of the sense of purpose some people who maintain properties for decades have. For me, its constantly being surrounded by and taking in the negative emotions of others. Today I got up at 5am to get ready for work, toddler DD was up by 5:30. I dropped DD off to MIL who moaned for 20mins about perceived wrongs from family members and then drove for another 45 mins to a 4hr team meeting (fairly boring) followed by a 45 min drive back. I had a long phone call with an SW with what should have been my lunch break as thats the only time she could do and topped it off with 2hrs in an awful visit being told how horrible we all are and what a piece of crap I am. Came home to sort DD out and ready for bed and I feel totally emotionally spent and exhausted.

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APerkyPumpkin · 25/11/2019 18:21

Being a professional gardener isn't all it is cracked up to be. It is hard graft, cold in the winter and searingly hot in the summer. And we are subject to as many people chewing our ears off as anyone. And we have awkward weather patterns to contend with.

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APerkyPumpkin · 25/11/2019 18:23

After hearing from 100 people what a great job it must be..it gets a bit dull. Especially when you have to then catch up in the dark...or rain...or snow.

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SurpriseSparDay · 25/11/2019 18:33

But Pumpkin, you clicked on the thread title! Halloween Grin

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fartingrainbows · 25/11/2019 18:43

Some sort of party/events planner? We hired an events manager for a special anniversary concert we put on. She was fab and commanded a good salary. The job wasn't "perfect" as she was required to stay calm and sort things that went wrong. However she was largely surrounded by people doing something because they wanted to do it and they enjoyed it. Plus she had the regular big back pats where a party or event was pulled off successfully.

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APerkyPumpkin · 25/11/2019 18:44

But Pumpkin, you clicked on the thread title!

Yes as i thought someone would say gardener.

;)

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fartingrainbows · 25/11/2019 18:44

Oh or some sort of personal trainer/life coach/ personal shopper where you get to see people make positive changes to their lives and feel better for it.

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APerkyPumpkin · 25/11/2019 18:45

Best job for well being is one that plays to your personal strengths and gives good work/life balance. i'd suggest there isn't one job that is good for well being as ones' well being is so personal.

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Mummyshark2018 · 04/12/2019 21:38

Based on your psychology degree- educational psychologist or CBT therapist? Both have options of working for yourself post qualification and there's loads of demand for both.

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