The sad part again

I had a really nice job, the work was so interesting and I used to get lost in it. Unfortunately I shared an office with 3 people who didn't get on and there was a constant backdrop of sniping with both of them trying to get me on their side. It really got me down and I always had that Sunday night feeling.
I'm retired now and it's bliss but I still sometimes feel the Sunday night sadness until I remember.
I sympathise OP!

For me it was always Sunday tea time. MN has been a revelation as I thought it was only me who wanted to have an accident on the way to work.

Changing jobs rarely worked for me as I can make the easiest of jobs stressful. I m fortunately retired now. Hugs to those with the Sunday blues, I really feel for you x

What would you do with your 40 hours a week OP?

In one of those! But I love my job and love the people I work with. I am incredibly lucky!

I feel this and i'm only 28! I WFH so it's a lot more manageable day to day as I don't have to talk to exhausting colleagues and it suits my lifestyle but I also travel a lot for the role and I severely despise it.

Every full-time job I’ve had (4 so far) has felt the same. I get bored easily, get severe imposter syndrome, the management is usually incompetent, and the companies themselves seem to care more about profits than people, fair enough they have to make money to pay us but still. Honestly, it’s hard to stay motivated when the work feels meaningless and the environment is frustrating and you generally do not enjoy what you do. I know a handful of people who love their jobs and I've never found one I've actually enjoyed.

I don’t know if we’ve become a lazy society where we want to have it all and not work for it, or if we’re just more aware that the traditional 9-5 grind isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Maybe it’s that many jobs are repetitive, underpaid, and undervalued, and we’re just tired of pretending they aren't.

I found two part time jobs I didn't like was easier to tolerate than one full time one I hated 😂

Seriously though, I've hated the Mon-Fri grind since watching That's Life on Sunday night before school. I've largely avoided it for the 30years I've worked. I've only done it for 18 soul destroying months in all that time.

Obviously it's going to be different for everyone but here's some of what I've done.

Shift work.
Advantage. 12 hours days and nights. Full time hours compressed into less days suited me. After 8hours at work the day's ruined anyway, what's another 4 hours? 😂Added bonus of a hefty shift allowance to boost the finances.
Disadvantage. Very early starts for day shift and night shift took it's toll eventually.

'Stacking' part time jobs.
Advantage. On a typical day, I did a couple of hours teaching, an admin job in the afternoon and another in the evening. Again, less working days but a full time wage.
Disadvantage. The jobs must be flexible so you can optimise your time. Annual leave with multiple employers can be tricky to line up.

Working from home in lockdown.
Advantage. Sooo much easier than the classroom. I doubled my teaching hours and my income. A lot of stuff stayed online after COVID and I worked exclusively from home after that.
Disadvantage. Not so great when your neighbour is doing extensive DIY and you can't escape the noise.

Of course, the most effective way to avoid the M-F 9-5 torment is to not apply for those jobs in the first place 😁I refused to entertain the idea that it was inescapable. Once it's off the table you'll get creative about how to carve out the work/life balance you want.

You're going to have to have a meeting with yourself and really think about what it is that will make you happy and how you're going to get there. You might need help - people will often give their time/assistance but not money (unless it's your parents) to help you get you to where you need to be. But you have to drive it. You've got to be clear what is you need and a rough plan on how you're going to get there. Perhaps you need a life coach or job coach to work out what your strengths are and suggested jobs. I don't get Sunday blues..... But it took me 4 years to get to the job that doesn't give me the blues.... From a job/industry I'd literally come to loath and get anxious about. But it starts with you. You might need a weekend away or a night off just to think for yourself. I wanted to find a job that I lived and breathed. A calling so to speak. Found it.... But it wasn't easy.... But worth it. I was 37 at the time. It's never too late.

Yeah, it drives me crazy when people say ‘But working is good for people’s mental health’.

That might have been generally true in the past but now, for most people, it seems that their work is the cause of really major stress…

The second I can drop a day off work I will. I do it because I have bills to pay, nothing else. I’d much rather be doing things I enjoy.

Most of my coworkers are absolutely lovely but management is absolute shambles and has become a boys’ club. It won’t get better.

It was Open all hours for me on a Sunday evening (showing my age)😂 I used to be filled with anxiety every Sunday evening!

Anxiety used to spoil my weekends in
my old job. It’s not quite so bad in my current job but I’ve been off for a week and do still have anxiety about returning tomorrow.

I work shifts now so prefer not to do Mondays! It never seems as bad of my week starts on Tuesday or Wednesday🤪

I used to sometimes have a cry on a Sunday night at the thought of work the next day but decided it couldn't go on and changed jobs, work from home and spend the day with my dog by my feet and a walk in the park at lunchtime. I also work 40 hours over 4 days so now have Mondays off. I do sometimes feel a bit off on a Monday night now but nowhere near what it was and the 3 day weekends really help!

Mine was Last of the Summer Wine

Sundays have been my favourite day for a long time but I think it’s because I enjoy my job and don’t dread Monday morning and logging on. Also I wfh on Mondays so I don’t have an early start and commute - I do have to get up early to get ds up and fed before he leaves for school but then I can leisurely get myself sorted.
Can you change what you do? Not always as easy or simplistic I realise but it’s had a huge impact on my life.

Makes me feel better about being a SAHM for years . But be warned the pension side of working is hugely important now more than ever . I think more people enjoyed work , their colleagues in previous times as there was not huge profit expectations . I did work in an environment with regular tea breaks- with a tea lady ! One hour lunches and overtime pay . Most people seemed to be happy enough , retail staff treated much better than now . Regular 9 -5 for most businesses. This was 90s so not olde worlde days. Lacking job satisfaction will result in bad mental health issues on our future .
Such difficult times for families .

I don't get the Sunday night blues anymore - well, Monday nights, cause I work compressed hours Tues to Fri.

What makes the difference is that I mostly WFH, and because I have worked for years for dysfunctional workplaces. I now work for an equally dysfunctional workplace, but I have a niche that isn't really affected by it, and I resoundingly don't give a fuck so long as I discharge my duties.

I work flexibly full time around my son, and have no inbox fear popping on to do tasks any time in the evening.

I heartily recommend not giving a fuck.

Same - I am praying I live long enough to have a retirement and not feel that awful morning feeling again.

My parents are well off and my mum is still working at 70 and dad is volunteering 4 days a week at nearly 80 because they enjoy it.

I used to love my job until the company was sold. The new boss is not great and the atmosphere is toxic now. Loads of colleagues have already left. I'm currently pregnant and currently just waiting to see whether it sticks (12 weeks now but I've already had one miscarriage at 17 weeks). If everything goes well my plan is to go on maternity leave and use that time to look for something else. In the meantime I definitely dread Mondays.

Take a look around and try to find employment that you may enjoy / challenge you.
people change jobs every 3 years on average.
Find yourself a career that you will look forward to

It was the theme tune to Antiques Roadshow for me,right up until the day I retired.I used to get a sick feeling deep inside.I still feel it now really-it just won't leave!