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Original poster

Do some people just hate work?

190 replies

newjobnewproblems · 10/02/2021 14:47

Except for maternity leave, I've worked full time or part time (when studying) since I was 16. I'm now 34.

I can honestly say I have hated all the jobs I've done.

First the temp jobs/call centres/supermarket jobs (mostly because they all involved customers getting annoyed with me). And then when I left uni I joined a large organisation on a grad scheme. And I have hated that too. I've tried moving around to different roles and specialisms which I feel are more suited to me but I usually just end up feeling like the grass isn't greener.

Is this just who I am? Do some people just hate work? It's my day off today as I've managed to go down to 4 days a week but I can't enjoy the time, I'm just depressed and miserable worrying about work.

I guess my question is do I just accept I'm the kind of person who will never enjoy work and try and make the best of it. Or is it worth leaving and trying to find something I will enjoy more. In the past my excuse was I was staying for the maternity pay but Idon't think I'm having any more children so no excuses left now...

OP posts:
user1471462428 · 10/02/2021 15:42

I had a nervous breakdown and left my job last year. I hadn’t realised what a toll it’s taken on me, destroying my health both physically and mentally. I don’t know what I’ll end up doing but not working is a revelation. I sleep better, worry less and am generally healthier. I do think public facing jobs are hugely stressful but as a former nurse I’m not sure what I’d do instead.

DedlyMedally · 10/02/2021 15:45

Yeah.
This pandemic has been the most I've "enjoyed" a job (because I can wake up 10 minutes before clicking in, don't have to deal with the office and don't have to commute), but I'd still rather not have to do it.
It's not work in general, more the sort of corporate structures and hierarchies around it. If I thought I could reliably make the same sort of money whilst working for myself, if do it in a heartbeat.

Flippyferloppy · 10/02/2021 15:47

I work because I have bills to pay. If I didn't have too, I wouldn't. I shall be retiring as soon as I am allowed!!!

IEat · 10/02/2021 15:50

Work pays the bills and for fun days out. 8 hours of mindless crap to earn money
I’d happily marry a rich man who worked all the hours so I can do nothing

TheMoth · 10/02/2021 15:53

This is what everyone who thinks the government is trying to control us through cv misses: we're ALL under control in some way or another; it's the price we pay for not living in a society where we don't all huddle in our huts at night (present situation excepted).

Once you leave home, you need to live somewhere. So you need to pay for it. So you have to work. That's when you're under control, because unless you work for yourself, you have to abide by others ' rules. The amount you work then depends on your outgoings. I could cut my hours, but then I wouldn't be able to afford nice things. And I am under the control of advertisers who tell me I need nice things because I deserve them.

Doomsdayiscoming · 10/02/2021 15:54

I quite like my job. It just doesn’t pay very well for the area where I live, nor the qualifications or experience that are required.

Day to day I enjoy it. I often look forward to going to work. Am I weird?

Bythemillpond · 10/02/2021 15:55

40 hours of torture for a few hours of fun. I would rather not bother.

Pepperxo · 10/02/2021 15:59

I worked as a support worker for years and I loved it. I'm now nursing in Mental Health and learning disabilities it's more stressful but I still love it I work 3 long shifts a week and get 4 days off. When I eventually retire I will do support work part time.

sneakysnoopysniper · 10/02/2021 16:00

I usually found something I enjoyed doing in every job I ever did. Every one of them was in a customer facing environment and varied from working in a Greek take away (age 14) to being a librarian and a uni lecturer. Every job had the good bits and the shit bits. Im self employed now and run my own business. Best occupation I ever had but there are still shit bits - like doing the accounts and VAT. Jobs are what you make them.

Pepperxo · 10/02/2021 16:01

I love building therapeutic relationships and making a difference to people's lives and I get paid for it.

readingismycardio · 10/02/2021 16:04

I feel ya, OP. And it's not just that, it's the constant "ohhhh I love my job", "ohhhhh, I'm so passionate!"

And all those people who romanticize being self-employed, gah!

Work is shit as it is, throw in a bullying manager and/or annoying workaholic coworkers and/or customer facing roles and you're screwed Grin

I know it doesn't sound like it, but I like my job. I don't love it, I love to go on holidays and sleep, not working with other people's problems 40 hours a week (or 50, lately!). But if I could never work again, I'd happily take it!

unmarkedbythat · 10/02/2021 16:05

I really like my job.

If I won the lottery I would leave though.

daisyjgrey · 10/02/2021 16:07

I only know one person who genuinely loves their job, and not in a "I love my job but I'm exhausted" or "I love my job, the sacrifices are worth it" way. In an actual "I love my job and the balance is right and I don't like taking time off but also can have a holiday when I want it and the world doesn't end" way.

I agree that for 99% of people enjoying your job is a capitalist coup.

suziezu · 10/02/2021 16:12

i also think it's not always hating work but becoming disillusioned or bored of the same old thing. i have worked hard to get the job i have....most people around me do it because they love it but honestly 20years later am just bored. i mean i thought i really wanted to do it when i was twenty, four degrees later and a couple of decades on the job and am totally bored. feeling too old to retrain etc but am totally bored now. so not sure if i hate all work or its just doing the same job for decades on end that ends up being boring. not sure if that helps

Ragwort · 10/02/2021 16:13

I enjoy my job, I am lucky enough to work part time hours that are flexible, I have plenty of autonomy, my colleagues are (in the main) all very pleasant.

I've enjoyed all my job over the years... maybe I've just been really lucky ... I am currently on furlough and genuinely miss working. I am old enough to retire but have no plans to. I don't work for the money - the pay is very poor - but I love the sense of achievement and structure that my job gives me, I work for a charity and am passionate about its values which helps - I could carry on volunteering if the paid work comes to an end Grin.

CaughtInTheCovid · 10/02/2021 16:15

@Igglepigglepeppaandgeorge

Yes I think so. That's why it's called work and not fun surely. Enjoying your job is a capitalist myth.
I disagree completely! I am a nurse and used to work clinically and now teach in higher education. I have enjoyed every job I've had to some degree but my last few I have loved! I work part time and enjoy work (not every day, all day but never dread going in). Work is such a huge part of your life I wouldn't write off hating everything. Don't you work 1/3 of the time? I feel sad for people who genuinely hate it when its so much of your time.
Updatemate · 10/02/2021 16:17

I love what I do, but I don't particularly like work. I have good days and bad das, but I much, much prefer what I do now to when I worked in a supermarket. Yet I know people who have moved from more 'professional' jobs and taken up roles in supermarkets and as a bin men and are really happy because of the reduced stress.

Dobedohdahdee · 10/02/2021 16:19

I enjoy doing the actual core part of my job.

Can’t stand the office politics, box ticking & jumping through hoops though.

(City based office job)

Eyjafjallajokulldottir · 10/02/2021 16:21

I've finally got a job that isn't customer facing, I can work from home permanently (thanks covid) , not badly paid and I don't have to interact with my colleagues or management much. Only took me 25 years to get here Hmm having said that, I'd still jack it all in if I won the lottery so I could travel. I'm not daft 😄

LunaHeather · 10/02/2021 16:25

thelegohooverer "I don’t think it helps if you were in the generation that was constantly urged to do what you love and find your passion"

I'm 44. I think that was me.

I am like you OP, hate work. I feel I got terrible careers advice at school, went on the wrong degree, then I suppose I only have myself to blame. At the core was the social thing that you would love work.

My father urged me to look at salary more and foolishly I didn't.

I do think that a lot of people hate working and there isn't a job or line of work they can transfer to and love it.

Part time jobs are sometimes full time squeezed into shorter hours because they know they can get someone to do it.

LunaHeather · 10/02/2021 16:30

@TheMoth

This is what everyone who thinks the government is trying to control us through cv misses: we're ALL under control in some way or another; it's the price we pay for not living in a society where we don't all huddle in our huts at night (present situation excepted).

Once you leave home, you need to live somewhere. So you need to pay for it. So you have to work. That's when you're under control, because unless you work for yourself, you have to abide by others ' rules. The amount you work then depends on your outgoings. I could cut my hours, but then I wouldn't be able to afford nice things. And I am under the control of advertisers who tell me I need nice things because I deserve them.

You don't really believe the bit about advertisers? They don't control you. I can see the other aspects but no one controls you to buy pricey perfume?
MrsToadlike · 10/02/2021 16:33

Honestly for me my career became more enjoyable after I had DC. Not 100% sure why because my role hasn't changed much
if at all, but I suspect it's because 1. I'm part-time so it doesn't feel as much of a pressure on my work-life balance, 2. Now I have DC to concentrate on, my career isn't the be all and end all anymore, so that distance has given me some perspective when I have a bad day at the 'office'. And 3. I have so much respect for stay at home mums because I could not be around my DC 7 days a week 24/7. So for me working part-time is a break from motherhood for 2 days a week.

But before DC...I really loathed parts of my job with an absolute passion. And there were people I worked with who I really didn't like either. And honestly if I'd won the lottery jackpot I'd have handed in my notice immediately. But now...if I won the lottery I think I'd still consider working 2 days a week in my same role. In all honesty Confused

TheMoth · 10/02/2021 16:43

No, I don't really believe I'm controlled by advertisers. I control my own impulses.

LolaSmiles · 10/02/2021 16:43

I enjoy my job. In an ideal world I would probably do something in a related field part time so I had time to do more of my hobbies and interests.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 10/02/2021 16:44

Completely agree. Caveat that some people get really lucky and work for passion, but even then there'll be shit parts.

Am I the only person there who misread 'parts' as 'pants'?!

Lion tamer (yours) or nursery worker (others'), probably - hopefully not if you're an accountant or university lecturer, though Grin

I do completely agree with you, though.