Anyone else just hate working, no matter what the job is?

[DrSheppard]

I'm in a pretty good job right now - the people are nice enough, the pay is very good, the subject matter is relatively interesting and it's flexible (can mostly work from home). But each and every day I struggle. I've felt like this in every job I have, and I've had a fair few! I dislike the routine of work. I dislike meetings and emails and workshops. I hate going into the office especially - I hate the glaring lights, sitting at a desk all day and the feeling of being boxed in. Even in the best of jobs I've had, this feeling never goes away.

I just don't care about work, frankly. I do what I need to do and always get great performance reviews, but I have zero investment in the outcome of what I do. Every day when I log off I breathe a sigh of relief, but the thought of doing this for the next 30+ years is awful. Sometimes I think about retraining but I really don't know if that'd 'fix' it, since I'm already in a well-paid and comfortable role and I've already dabbled in a fair few types of roles. Does anyone else feel this way?

This is why I took part time physical jobs in the run up to retirement. To work less but stay fit. I houseshared with a relative, all bills split, and lived and still do, a very simple life.

I identified very early on that working full time in an unfulfilling job [most are] and being controlled was the cause of building stress and depression for me. I was dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil anyway.

I went part time, moved to a smaller house then started to take on private cleaning jobs which took over. I worked when and where I wanted and for how long usually mornings only, so getting some control back...and being appreciated!

Any spare time I had I did up house after house at my pace [every 2-4 years or so], making a profit then moving on. I'm retired now, lovely home and garden and live a simple life. Content with how I chose to live and how I live now.

Don't underestimate the toll working life takes on you. I have known a few people who have had amazing incomes but just bought 'stuff', did things for the sake of doing them, going everywhere in their new cars so no exercise or not knowing what to spend on next and being, quite honestly, ripped off. Sad to see and a couple are paying the price with their health now.

Aw thankyou, I love it. Definitely recommend 😊

If my post sounds light hearted I omitted to say that early on times were difficult as I raised 2 sons on my own. Sometimes my only social life was half pint of lager all night, an evening with a friend or a picnic in a park with a friend and our kids, a walk along the sea front and some chips, a basic caravan holiday. But time with friends and children were the most enjoyable anyway. Time is the most precious thing we have, along with company of those we like/love.

I did 3 days, I have nursery aged children. It was perfect. My employer has dictated I need to do 4 days and I hate it. It’s thrown me completely out and I’m miserable!

I am very seriously considering being a SAHM for the next two years which will take my youngest to school and your post has really resonated with me. I’m working, earning great money and pissing it all
up the wall on fancy clothes and make
up to make myself feel better when really I’m not about those things at all. I’m really worried I’m complaining about work and wishing my youngests preschool days away and I’ll never get that time back.

My jobs have all been customer facing so it might be I just don't like people
Done care work, NHS, retail, contact centre for about 13 years...

I could easily fill my days without a job and would happily drop hours due to chronic health issues but I can't afford it

im the opposite! Love working whatever I’ve done and get a sense of satisfaction when I know I’m doing a good job/being recognised etc. To be honest I’d hate to be unemployed or retired at this stage in my life (nearly 40) and love the routine/challenge!
BUT as you’ve always achieved and been good at your roles, feel proud of that. Too many people put bugger all effort into their jobs and others have to carry them.
maybe retrain or try something new?

My ambition since starting work at 16 was always to give up, I hate the structure of having to get up and get sorted then go to work, I retired at 58 and never regretted it for a minute

I did really well at school, but after A levels, I remember a teacher asking what I wanted to do and I said "well, I want to retire...but I'm going to have to get a job first."

I only had a three day week this week - all done - and I'm still tired. It's a bizarre mix of boredom, stress, adrenaline...having to go into a noisy place yesterday for a meeting, etc etc.

I never enjoyed my work (retail) but did it for the money, when we all got made redundant, i think I was the only person relieved, I took early retirement then at 55, husband still works self employed I'm know I'm very lucky.

Thanks to this thread I read bullshit jobs and now i understand the game I’m in. I like working but it’s always full of pointless shite ( I’ve done important work for pennies and you still do the paperwork and the compulsory training, just for less dosh).

I’m really interested in FIRE which I only heard of recently. I think I’ve another 17ish years to work to qualify for state pension (assuming there is one then) so I wouldn’t be retiring young, but I would like to plan my future better.

I don't hate working. I enjoy carrying out tasks, seeing a positive result and generally putting myself to good use and doing my bit to help the world turn.
I DO hate being at work. I despise it. I feel like a 10 year old with the grownups in charge the instant I walk through the door every day! And the job I'm in now is one of the best I've ever had and I still feel that way. And if I'm at work when the rest of my family aren't, I get homesick!

Yes! Hate the whole duty and set routine on daily basis. I now work for myself which is part-time but ther is no income stability (and it's never high either) so that's stressful, and still having to deal with sometimes tiresome customers. Still would rather be more frugal then go on a treadmill.

I could have written this! I find red tape, bureaucracy or rules and regulations very tiresome and irritating.

I recently retrained, taking a side step, as I’d worked in one particular field for 15 years and needed a change. I have found that this role is even more boring than the one I did before. I now know the issue is that I just don’t like working. It takes up too much of my precious time and I really can’t be bothered with it. Thankfully, I seem to do a good job of feigning enthusiasm and all my feedback thus far has been really good. I have to try to not remind myself that I have another 30(ish) years of working life ahead of me or I’d be so much more miserable every day!

I can totally relate. Other people think my
job is really interesting and exciting , the
truth is however it’s sucking my soul. I manage team of alleged adults (some 15 years older than me ) who frankly are just waiting out to retirement past their best and they freely admit it, others that squeeze every ounce of my goodwill and the right to be an absolute arse because it’s a minority phrase of the day , the woke airy fairy bullshit of no offence micro aggressions thou shalt not have a different view or opinion is crushing.
I cannot wait to retire early and gtfo out and live my life. 18 months and I retire 12 years early because we were smart with our money and can.

My stepfather hated working as a teacher so he packed it in at 48. He married my mum when they were both in their early sixties. He recently passed away and the pension he left my mum is pitiful due to his super early retirement and would have left her struggling if I were not in a position to help. He used to have a go at me for working, which he seemed to consider a character defect on my part and imply somehow I was wrong to enjoy my job. But thank goodness I do work so I can make up for his lack of financial provision.

I work because I have to, not because I want to.

If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d be out of there in a heartbeat, the moment that cheque hit my bank account 🤣🤣

Yep, this is exactly how I feel. It's actually a relief to see that other people feel the same.

Nope

I love my job but even when I’ve been in jobs I haven’t loved I’ve always wanted to work. Work gives me a sense of purpose and security. I could live off my husband’s salary but I like knowing I can support myself. I get a lot of meaning and fulfilment from being productive and adding value at work. It helps that I believe in my organisation and the work we do.

On mat leave I loved being with my babies but by the time the were 10 months old I felt like I wanted to do more. I once had 6 weeks between jobs and I got bored and restless. I’m just used to being busy and productive. Being busy at home and socially doesn’t quite scratch the same itch for me.

Why was it your stepdad’s job to provide for your mum?

No interest in work. Don’t have a career plan - never had. Was always told at school I would amount to nothing and end up stacking shelves(not that there is anything wrong in that) I work as a civil servant now. Fairly good money, but no desire to climb the ladder. I want to stay home, bake, clean, read look after my animals and live the soft life. Husband says if he ever earns enough I can, but he works in the NHS so I’m not sure he will.

Just wanted to add that I work in a high performing local authority and the level of passion, motivation and engagement is very high amongst staff. It’s a challenging environment due to continuous budget cuts from central government but there are boundless opportunities to make a difference to local people and to make the organisation better.

But hadn’t she made financial provision for herself throughout her working life? Why would you expect someone who married her when they were in their 60s to be responsible for her