What could I do for a living?

[NotExactlyOptimistic]

I've been in office / admin work forever, I'm 37. Good at my job and in senior role but no degree or qualification other than an NVQ2 in Business Admin. I'm fed up of being stuck in an office all day and I want out. It's really getting me down. I want to do something more active, more outdoors. But what?! I don't have a particular calling or passion. I like animals (other than dogs so no professional dogwalking) and being around nature. I like walking. I'd be happy enough on £25k. Any ideas? I did the online quiz. It came up with the job I'm already doing!! I'm screwed aren't I.

How would you feel about gardening? Or cleaning or ironing services? Or personal training / dance type exercise classes ? Yoga / Pilates teacher?

Cooking for reheating at home for on off fancy meals or batch cooking for busy people.

Child minding? More informal Help with childcare to get children ready for school, do drop offs and collect in the afternoon then ferry to activities or entertain until the parents can stop work and take over ?

Tutoring children outside school for exams.?

Massage / beauty care? Eyebrows ?

These are the most oversubscribed services around here.

Perhaps get a qualification in the field of horticulture? Become involved with plants, work at a garden centre, or open a florist stall!

For context can you give some idea of where you're located?
Town, City, rural......
Part of the country N, S, E W.
It would be easier to then suggest business ideas that suit your area.
No point starting a kayaking tour company if you don't live by water...

Have a look at the new-ish ‘Mature Study and Retraining’ board:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students

Lots of people wrestling with the same question and navigating a way forward. Seriously, open a dozen random threads there - something might leap out. Or at least help you to narrow down your options and ambitions.

Thanks guys, I guess one of my biggest obstacles is that I'm not massively confident or driven so the thought of being able to set up my own business makes me burst out laughing. I don't click with children but I do love catering and I've often thought how nice it would be to drive around selling homemade sandwiches and pasta dishes all morning! Giving up job security is very daunting though especially during these times. I'm in the West Midlands.

Post woman? Lots of walking and exercise I imagine, early starts means you'd have rest of day to yourself

@Mayhemmumma

Post woman? Lots of walking and exercise I imagine, early starts means you'd have rest of day to yourself

I've thought of this, I often envy my jolly postman!

Traffic warden, Police officer?

What about doing something similar in a more rewarding sector? Then once you're through the door you could explore other areas that would appeal?

What about working for a charity or something? Would that appeal?

Is there somewhere near you like a national trust property or gardens, maybe a ranger type of role?

Are you me?! 😂😂 No ideas Chuck - but following for inspiration!

@EdmontinaDancesWithOphelia
thank you 😊 never knew that board existed 👍🏻

@OldSpeclkledHen

Are you me?! 😂😂 No ideas Chuck - but following for inspiration!

@EdmontinaDancesWithOphelia
thank you 😊 never knew that board existed 👍🏻

Lol let's start a business x

@NotExactlyOptimistic brilliant 😂😂 what should we do? 🤔

What is your current salary and do you work full time? You say senior role and good at job, so I assume reasonably good pay - could you reduce your hours to the equivalent of £25k? That would allow you free time to explore new activities without losing job security. You may then find your new calling, good luck!

You could look at local charities that work in areas you are interested in. I know you want to move away from admin but your skills are very strong and could be used in a coordinator or development role.

@Nifedipine

What is your current salary and do you work full time? You say senior role and good at job, so I assume reasonably good pay - could you reduce your hours to the equivalent of £25k? That would allow you free time to explore new activities without losing job security. You may then find your new calling, good luck!

Thank you. Current salary is £31k and yes I already have a very strong wish to drop Fridays from mid next year. No kids, small mortgage. I really feel I'm at a crossroad now where somehow, somehow... my life needs to change significantly in order for me to ever be even halfway to happy.

[quote OldSpeclkledHen]@NotExactlyOptimistic brilliant 😂😂 what should we do? 🤔 [/quote]
Fuck it. Only Fans? 🤣

The best intro is to use the skills you've got in a new role, but in a sideways step into an industry that is more interesting to you.
People won't hire you for something you have no skills in, just because you fancy a change.

So for example use all your amazing business and admin skills for the National trust/ a garden centre/ a restaurant chain, anything in the catering or outdoor worlds that you fancy. Set up job alerts on Indeed for companies that you think you would like to work for, so anytime something comes up you can tinker your CV to suit it.

Then once you foot is in the door you can learn as much as possible about that area. Learn the structure, see what actual role you might like, get on the job training.

The environment agency is good to work for. Maybe starting on a business admin type role, 25k might be tricky but great leave and pension

Could you seek out an admin type role in a building/ environmental/ landscaping/ animal care type of business? Out and about visiting sites and clients?

I was going to say nursing or caring role but if you are already on £31 k a band 5 post probably won't be well enough paid.

into an industry that is more interesting to you.

It may indeed be the industry that you are in that you find unrewarding. However, in a longish career, my experience has been that the actual job matters a great deal less than the people who are your colleagues and the management.

A good team of people, and good management where you are trusted and provided with the right level of support and the tools to do the job, means a lot more to me than the actual nature of the job or the industry / environment in which it exists.

Life is mostly enjoyable.

Can you identify exactly what it is about your current role that you do not enjoy?

@FinallyHere

into an industry that is more interesting to you.

It may indeed be the industry that you are in that you find unrewarding. However, in a longish career, my experience has been that the actual job matters a great deal less than the people who are your colleagues and the management.

A good team of people, and good management where you are trusted and provided with the right level of support and the tools to do the job, means a lot more to me than the actual nature of the job or the industry / environment in which it exists.

Life is mostly enjoyable.

Can you identify exactly what it is about your current role that you do not enjoy?

Mainly the fact it's open plan, I feel I'm getting more and more introverted as I age and I just don't feel happy being stuck in an office with so many people. I want to be more outside. I've become more active in the last 12 months and find it restless sitting at a desk all day! Not climbing mountains or doing 10 exercise classes per day or anything just... not sitting down all day either.

I agree with Police Officer. You’ll be out on patrol loads and will soon be up to £30k plus. Depending on entry route you can get a degree (no fees) and no two days are the same.