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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:

Ginfordinner · 11/02/2021 12:02

I had a couple of boring jobs after leaving school, so I can understand why people dislike working in an unchallenging job.

DishedUp · 11/02/2021 12:12

I hate work

I actually like my job. There are aspects I love. I've always said if I could do it as a hobby and not have to make money I'd be happy

But there's other aspects, relentless admin and paperwork and planning thats tedious. And doing it day in day out is boring. I'm not sure theres any job I'd do where I'd not be bored

Some of my colleagues live and breath the job, its their whole life and there's a certain expectation that the rest of us should love it to. But I just can't. I keep myself entertained by doing more training, but eventually I will plateau and the thought of that bores me.

sally067 · 11/02/2021 12:35

Some of my colleagues live and breath the job, its their whole life and there's a certain expectation that the rest of us should love it to.

I also have this struggle, my boss sees HR as more than a job, it is essentially her hobby and she is on a quest to become the ultimate HR professional, she will spend her evenings and weekends working or watching webinars/reading about HR. It is basically her hobby.

It just adds to the constant anxiety and relentlessness of it because I do just see it as a job, I am not particularly career driven but she is always on about my career, growth, continuous professional development, etc. I find myself wishing my life away because during the working week I am just wanting it to be 5pm on a Friday evening.

Not helped by the company having an entrepreneur style culture where you effectively are expected to put its needs ahead of everything else it seems.

It's so toxic.

irishgal85 · 11/02/2021 12:41

I honestly couldn't go to work every day if I hated it, and I hope my kids never feel like that! What a waste of life 😰

@lovelilies I feel the same. I am definitely a person who thinks 'if you don't like it, do something about it and change it' I don't understand WHY someone would just stay in a job they hate and let it dictate their life!! If you want out then get out and do something else!! Life is too short!!

Createsuser · 11/02/2021 12:44

I might be strange but I really enjoy working!

sally067 · 11/02/2021 13:00

@irishgal85

I honestly couldn't go to work every day if I hated it, and I hope my kids never feel like that! What a waste of life 😰

@lovelilies I feel the same. I am definitely a person who thinks 'if you don't like it, do something about it and change it' I don't understand WHY someone would just stay in a job they hate and let it dictate their life!! If you want out then get out and do something else!! Life is too short!!

I wish it was that easy. I've been applying for a new job for months but getting nowhere. I can't just quit as I have a mortgage and responsibilities. If I quit today then I could be unemployed for a year.

THisbackwithavengeance · 11/02/2021 13:06

Such an interesting thread.

Am surprised that so many people consider work to be "pointless".

I would be genuinely interested to hear what people would consider a non pointless life to be?

I think we all like the idea of being supported financially by the state or a family member whilst pottering around at home and having lunch in cafes? But if we did that for 20 years, would that not also be "pointless"?

It's also interesting to see that we as a collective group believe we are owed enjoyment from our work?

I lived for some years in a developing country where a lot of people had soulless back breaking jobs for 12 hours a day for which they were paid peanuts. They were seen as lucky and were happy as they had the means to support their families.

Justcurious93 · 11/02/2021 13:06

I love my job although at the moment I'm wondering if I'm heading down a one way street to burnout. Generally though I love building therapeutic relationships, seeing people be empowered and thrive and that overrides the difficult stressful bits.

Crossaintqueen · 11/02/2021 13:51

@THisbackwithavengeance

Such an interesting thread.

Am surprised that so many people consider work to be "pointless".

I would be genuinely interested to hear what people would consider a non pointless life to be?

It's also interesting to see that we as a collective group believe we are owed enjoyment from our work?

I commented earlier in this thread.

For me, the point in life is to enjoy it as much as possible. I would happily spend my time reading books, watching films, listening to music and making art if I won the lottery.

Unfortunately, I have not won the lottery which means I have to work. I do my job and I do it well. I don’t owe it to anyone to be happy about working, no matter how much worse it could be.

TheJerkStore · 11/02/2021 14:07

Am surprised that so many people consider work to be "pointless".

Im thankful not everyone considers work to be pointless otherwise we'd be totally screwed as a society!!

SinisterBumFacedCat · 11/02/2021 14:16

I hate work. It’s not doing the job, I’ve done various work and would happily beaver away at any of them, I actually find completing something long and involved ver satisfying. It’s the fucking people! The internal politics, the bullying, the sly one up man ship. I hate it. Lockdown and working from home has been amazing for me. If other people treated each other well I would enjoy working.

irishgal85 · 11/02/2021 17:25

@sally067 ah I know it's not easy. It would be great if it was easy! But like you say, you are applying for other things which is the first step!! Best of luck, stay positive and I'm sure something will come along 👍

AubergineDream · 11/02/2021 17:30

I am doing something I love (a vocation) but still it is stressful and I would rather be watching Netflix in my pyjamas than having to do the early starts, late nights and hard work.

WhirlingGerbil · 11/02/2021 18:57

I'm a freelance writer and, unless the topic is painfully dull, I love what I do.

I would hate to go back to working for someone else though. That is 1/2 of it, for me. 9-5, commuting, sitting in an office, trying to people. I'm not a morning person. I like to work remotely.

Maybe it's the regimen you don't like? That's a massive part of it.

thetinselbadge · 11/02/2021 19:06

@SinisterBumFacedCat

I realised this on mat leave. I don't mind doing the work but dealing with people is a killer.

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