I start a new job as a cleaner today and the thought is really depressing me.

[MybosswasMrMcGee]

Firstly, I am not knocking being a cleaner, it's just not something that I really enjoy doing but I am in a position where I have no choice right now and need the money.

But I just feel so sad about my life.

Twenty years ago today I was in labour with my first born, it was one of the happiest times of my life. A year later I returned to my job as an administrator in a job that I enjoyed and had been doing for over 15 years.

15 years ago I became a stay at home mum to my two dc. Not eveyone's cup of tea, I know but being a stay at home parent was the most joyful time of my life, I loved and cherished every minute.

10 years ago I became a PA for a disabled client - although it was sometimes a challenge as I struggle with some chronic health issues and was balancing it out with caring for my mum (who has dementia), it was also a job I very much enjoyed.

1 year ago the PA job came to an end as my client passed away. I took time out to look after my mum who is now in the advanced stages of her dementia journey. It has not been a great time and the stress has made all of my chronic health issues so much worse but being out of work for a year has meant money is now very tight and I need to pay off some debt. I need to work but it has been so difficult to find a job in my area.

I have been offered cleaning work from a close family member who runs a cleaning business. I start today. I am so sad that my life has come to this. I am not knocking being a cleaner and I am very grateful for the work. I will put on my mask (ie smile), I will work well as I am a hard worker and will just have to get on with it but it won't stop me feeling sad.

I feel this is my life now. I should have returned to administration work after having my children and worked my way up the ladder but my chronic health issues leave me exhausted at times and now in my 50's I have neither the funds to study for anything new nor the energy tbh.

How can I come to terms that I will never have a fulfilling and interesting job and this is my life from now on, cleaning houses for rich people.

Ours is a minimum of 2 hours xx

Thanks

Crikey, I didn't realise I would have so many replies. I haven't read the latest replies (will go through them soon just popping out to give dd a driving lesson) but I just want to thank you all for the kind words of encouragement.

Well, I made it. It was a long day but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Hard work, still not my ideal job but it will pay some bills so I am happy.

You're doing just fine. Treat yourself to an audio book series you'll really enjoy and get stuck in! Xx

Glad to hear it, OP. I’ve been thinking of you today. I think your post struck a chord because my DH is about to be made redundant and is about to start looking at jobs that aren’t his choice, but that will pay our bills.

Hope DD’s driving lesson went okay - mine is 13 years away from it and already it brings me out in a cold sweat!

Sometimes life takes us on odd turns and god knows it sounds like you’ve been through the wringer with your mum and with your own health. So much more. I know we define ourselves by our worth and a lot of that is about our jobs. But I’m having a cuppa (and a cigarette shhh) in the garden at the moment and looking at the trees and it sounds so bloody silly but I’m here and I’m alive and right now that’s enough.

(Ps, don’t feel obliged or overwhelmed by the need to reply to all the posts. I’ve had this happen on threads before when I’m having a hard time and none of us are posting with expectation of a reply, we’re just cheering you on.)

My cleaning drives around in a better car than me! She's off on holiday constantly. She keeps her expenses low and her life exciting. She set up her own business. She started as a paid by the hour by a company cleaner - now she has more work than she can do and started branching into childcare for families with older children/dog walking/pet feeding etc. She just approached every job with a 'I can help with that attitude' - picking up babysitting and dog walking jobs and it exploded from there.

It's one of the easiest businesses to start up on your own - once you have a client base, references and if you're reliable, trustworthy and do a decent job - you can quickly start branching out on your own and charging £20ph - 25ph.

I've thought about doing it myself!

I'm not kidding when I say my guess is she's pulling in circa £60k a year or more.

It all started via one clearning job and this is her 4yrs later. Word of mouth spreads quick when you're good!

I'm a cleaner at the moment ( admittedly cleaning my own glamping site but my only job is cleaning and washing/ironing) I understand how you are feeling, I really do as its not the most intellectually stimulating job. BUT it pays the bills. I get satisfaction when it's finished and it looks beautiful.

I actually have a cleaner for my own house because I just can't face it. My cleaner earns about £45k a year- way more than me. She works incredibly hard and is a fantastic cleaner, really in demand. She doesn't see it as a negative that she's a cleaner at all. It's a skilled job to do it right and take pride.

My friend did this too. She now has a thriving business.

My mum was ashamed of being a cleaner. But I’m so proud of what she built by doing it. We now have comfortable lives.