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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find it a bit performative when people say “I love my job?”

66 replies

MyQuaintQuoter · 07/08/2025 13:58

I’m not saying people can’t enjoy their work but when someone says “I love my job!” with a kind of breathless enthusiasm (usually on social media or in a work meeting), it often feels more like branding than truth. Maybe I’m jaded but most jobs come with stress, bureaucracy, and annoying people. Loving the mission or being grateful for the flexibility makes sense but loving the actual job? Day in, day out? Really?

AIBU to think it’s more about appearing passionate and impressive than anything else?

OP posts:
Hatty65 · 07/08/2025 14:31

I tended to say it in reply to a statement from others. I taught secondary school for 30 years in a pretty deprived area and lost count of the number of people who told me 'I'd hate to have your job'. My reply was usually along the lines of 'I love being in a classroom with teenagers, they are brilliant'.

Original poster
MyQuaintQuoter · 07/08/2025 14:30

Locutus2000 · 07/08/2025 14:23

You keep saying you are questioning, yet you don't seem to be questioning anything.

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Ironic, your comment’s doing exactly what you’re accusing me of. Not sure what you’re trying to add here.

OP posts:
Didimum · 07/08/2025 14:28

Christ – why is Mumsnet SO OBSESSED with things being performative?

I love my job. Yes, I genuinely do love it. I would continue to do it if I won the lottery. Yes, I know others who genuinely love their jobs too.

Stop being so suspicious of people's intentions. People are allowed to display high outward emotion and enthusiasm without it being 'performative'.

Locutus2000 · 07/08/2025 14:23

MyQuaintQuoter · 07/08/2025 14:10

That’s great to hear and as I’ve said, I don’t doubt that some people genuinely love their jobs. The performative part I’m referring to isn’t about quietly enjoying your work or feeling grateful, it’s about the loud, polished declarations that often show-up in public spaces like LinkedIn or all-hands meetings. It can start to feel less like honest enthusiasm and more like image management or subtle power play, especially in environments where passion is used as currency. That’s what I’m questioning, not sincere satisfaction but the curated way it’s sometimes presented.

Show quote history

You keep saying you are questioning, yet you don't seem to be questioning anything.

PumpkinPie2016 · 07/08/2025 14:13

I do love my job but I don't post about doing so on social media/go around announcing it to everyone, so I do see what you mean. People can love their job without telling the world repeatedly.

There are days when my job can be stressful, exhausting, emotional and the workload is high, but I do really enjoy what I do (teacher).

Mrsttcno1 · 07/08/2025 14:12

Sal17690 · 07/08/2025 14:03

Why would it be performative? I absolutely love my job. Yes it can be stressful, the emotional load can be high, there are hard days and moments, but overall I absolutely love it and feel very lucky to do what I do, with (almost exclusively) fabulous people. Why is enjoying something performative?

This.

Just because something isn’t perfect doesn’t mean you can’t love it. My job is really quite high stress, pressure etc but I knew that going in & love it!

Original poster
MyQuaintQuoter · 07/08/2025 14:10

Sal17690 · 07/08/2025 14:03

Why would it be performative? I absolutely love my job. Yes it can be stressful, the emotional load can be high, there are hard days and moments, but overall I absolutely love it and feel very lucky to do what I do, with (almost exclusively) fabulous people. Why is enjoying something performative?

That’s great to hear and as I’ve said, I don’t doubt that some people genuinely love their jobs. The performative part I’m referring to isn’t about quietly enjoying your work or feeling grateful, it’s about the loud, polished declarations that often show-up in public spaces like LinkedIn or all-hands meetings. It can start to feel less like honest enthusiasm and more like image management or subtle power play, especially in environments where passion is used as currency. That’s what I’m questioning, not sincere satisfaction but the curated way it’s sometimes presented.

OP posts:
Agix · 07/08/2025 14:08

I love my job.

I hate how it impacts my health and I have to do it all the time and set my alarm and I'm tired and want to play in the woods.

But I love the work I do and find value in it. I enjoy the important moments. I'd do it for free, if I could work to my own time schedule and play in the woods sometimes (and had enough money to live).

Original poster
MyQuaintQuoter · 07/08/2025 14:08

TheRealGoose · 07/08/2025 14:02

I do love my job, although I don’t breathlessly exclaim it on social media, I’m sorry you’ve not experienced that. I mean sure, many days are stressful etc. but I do overall really ehjoy my role. Maybe try to focus on what you do enjoy and try to move in that direction?

Thanks, I don’t doubt some people genuinely enjoy their work. I guess my post is more about the performance of loving your job, especially when it’s loudly or repeatedly stated. There’s a difference between quietly appreciating your role and using “I love my job!” as a kind of self-branding or status signal. That’s what I’m questioning.

OP posts:
DeLaRuiz · 07/08/2025 14:04

Social media and work meetings are inherently a bit performative, if not a lot performative.

Isittimeformynapyet · 07/08/2025 14:03

When I stopped loving my job I stopped telling people I loved it, so judging by my own experience I disagree with you @MyQuaintQuoter

Whiningatwine · 07/08/2025 14:03

Hate my current job. Have had many in the past that I have loved and have lived and breathed. I think it makes the current shit show even harder...

Sal17690 · 07/08/2025 14:03

Why would it be performative? I absolutely love my job. Yes it can be stressful, the emotional load can be high, there are hard days and moments, but overall I absolutely love it and feel very lucky to do what I do, with (almost exclusively) fabulous people. Why is enjoying something performative?

TheRealGoose · 07/08/2025 14:02

I do love my job, although I don’t breathlessly exclaim it on social media, I’m sorry you’ve not experienced that. I mean sure, many days are stressful etc. but I do overall really ehjoy my role. Maybe try to focus on what you do enjoy and try to move in that direction?

CoffeeCup14 · 07/08/2025 14:01

I say it. I love my job - there are lots of bits that are stressful and some people who are annoying, but mostly I look forward to working and I find it satisfying. Same as my children, really.

It's probably performative for some people, but not necessarily.

toastedteddy · 07/08/2025 13:59

It really depends.

I’ve said YABU because in my last role, I did love my job. The work was pretty meh, but the team I was in made it incredible. I adored them.