to think if your first office job is in your 30s its too hard to adjust

[spegal]

Hi,

I've started an office job in my 30s, its been a month and still just finding it a miserable and boring existence. Such dull conversations and other people seam to delight in pointing out minor mistakes or picking arguments over little things. To be honest I really don't care about it all, I'm just like whatever its not like anyone is going to die if something isn't perfect.

I'm coming to the conclusion I'm just not an office 9-6 kind of person. Maybe if I had started in my 20s I could of coped. But now I've had such a great life not sat in offices it makes it so hard.

Am I being stuck up or does anyone see my point of view?

Might just stick it out till Xmas for the cash

You're not the heavy-breathing-ask-me-why-I'm-so-miserable woman from marketing I was moaning about the other week, are you OP?

She's far too talented and creative for her job - which is why she's so bad at it, apparently. You two sound like soul mates ...

Seriously though, if you hate it and can't be bothered to do it well then leave and do something you like better. Life's too short and the rest of the office people would probably be quite relieved!

Well I'm actually good at my job, despite always taking a lunch break.

Its not bad really, its just a bit like I'm just existing not living.

As I'm used to a less mundane life I'm still finding it a struggle.

Yes totally agree about the endless cakes and fad diets! Guy here has a PhD in astrophysics yet doesn't see the irony of gorging on cakes only to be on some silly diet next morning.

you sound alot like my administrator. She was given this job, because I needed some admin support. Everytime I ask her to do something, it becomes a 'I thought you were supposed to do it', ie she wasn't going to do it, take responsibility etc. She doesn't do the regular admin stuff that's expected of her, I need to remind her of things - there was one deadline that was nearly missed because she didn't get round to emailing the relevant people to tell them about it (and it turns out it wasn't the first time it happened)... and she loves telling other people off. She shrugs her shoulders in a 'what? I'm speaking the truth' manner.

and when I ask her to take more responsibility (because I thought she didn't want to do the mundane stuff - so thought ok, let's give her some stuff she can get 'stuck in' and use her brain alittle...), she said 'I don't get paid enough'). ...

argh.

Bibliomania that Simpsons episode actually made me cry .

I had an office job when I first graduated. I'd travelled and lived away from home since I was 18. I had loads of cool intellectual friends and generally though I was the bees knees. I was put in an open plan office with a couple of married young, non aspirational Essex girls. I remember how we eyed each other up. We were from different planets.

I have honestly never since enjoyed going to work as much. We used to just laugh all day, time flew by. I was genuinely sad to move on and we kept in touch for ages. Don't be so superior OP, people are often surprising.

Yet again I don't work in admjn and management described my work as exellent.

Why do people assume only low end office job workers find it mundane?

I really can't decide if this is an elaborate windup or not, I don't often encounter people this deluded and self-absorbed luckily

Part of being an adult is doing things you don't particularly want to do, and ime most people understand this by their early 20s.

I think you do believe yourself a special snowflake, which is a shame, because if you just got on with it, and gave these awful dull office people a chance, you might find the job less tedious.

On the other hand, maybe you should leave and do something wonderful with the rest of your life. You'd certainly be doing the people you work with now a favour.

I think AWombWithoutARoof posed some interesting questions. Maybe you should think about it.

I'm not being superior, I'm recgonisjng people are different.

How am I dilduded and self absorbed?

Because I don't enjoy an office environment?

The unwillingness to accept a mundane life is looked down apon here.

Its like, I have to deal with crap, so should you.

Well, it sounds like you've recognised something helpful, which is that it's not the role that's the problem, it's the colleagues and the restrictions of the hours/being in on place.

I agree, it sounds like working for yourself but in the same field is a great idea, I'm self employed (in a 'fun and fluffy' area) and I love the freedom of it.

Deluded because if you genuinely can't understand that despite not explicitly stating you are superior, your condescending attitude drips out of every post, I can't think of another explanation.

Deluded because you are not stopping to think that maybe not everyone enjoys the office experience but, and this is a big one, they do it anyway, just get on with it, because they need a job, and it supports their lifestyle.

Why is thinking of yourself as special a bad thing?

Do you want everyone to think they are just a worthless, Disposable, replaceable cog in the syaytem?

A degree, Masters (with distinction) MIA from a PhD, trilingual. Don't work in an office at the moment but have in the past and doubtless will again.

My not so guilty pleasure is watching videos of baby sloths on YouTube.

I'm dilluded because I don't just suck it up and get on with it? That's not what the word means.

It depends on the office. I started working in offices in my 40s, and loved it but I was working with really nice interesting people.

Why is thinking of yourself as special a bad thing?

Nothing.

Just so long as you realise everyone else is thinking the same thing.

2 degrees these days does not a "special" person make.

Baby sloths are THE BEST!

There's nothing wrong with recognising your talents and working towards achieving your full potential.

There is everything wrong with dismissing the normal, average people who are not aiming for the moon as 'disposable, replaceable cogs in the system'.

Look, if you can find a way of supporting yourself financially that you also find fun and interesting, I'm sure we'd all be very supportive.

But you aren't suggesting any alternatives. You aren't saying "I find office work dull, I'd really like to do [career X] instead, how should I get into that type of work?" You're just saying "I shouldn't have to do work I find boring". The answer to that is, well yes you do have to do boring work, if you want to pay the bills, unless and until you can find something better.

For heavens' sake, girl, learn some admin skills - even if you're not doing an 'admin job' and skills in office organisation. You're going to need them if you wish to be a Creative and even more if you work for yourself.

I have a first degree from Oxford, an MA with distinction, work as a freelance journalist and am utterly addicted to watching Nashville.

and please learn to spell before slagging off other people-

But I haven't dismissed my colegues as plebs or anything, they are probably all special in their own way.

What I have said is I don't connect with them socially and find their interests dull. That's not dismissing them.

I really want a cookie jar that makes a pig noise now. I want it quite vehemently.

Sorry why do I need to learn admin skills? How are you able to even judge the level of admin skills I have?

You are not special to not like an office environment. You are just anti-social and lack a sense of humour and fun.

I doubt if a corporate environment is for you. Doesn't sound like you know how to "play the game". It is possible to not particularly enjoy certain things (have you ever had children?) and still get some mild enjoyment out of it and smile and laugh along. Other people feel good about themselves. Next time you need a favour, you have built up that extra bit of social connection. It is your attibute to people that holds you back.

That's fine. Nobody has to put on a mask if they think it saps their creativity. You'd be wasting your time in a corporate environment. These clueless colleagues of yours will suss you out soon enough, if they have not already.

Office banter, when people do not know each other that well, sticks to safe subjects with areas of commonality likes holidays and homes. You need to do after work drinks if you want to get to know people - but I doubt you are interested.

mother but she HAS admin skills. Has already been praised for her work etc so she says and doesn't find the work difficult either.

she just sees herself as unworthy of an office job. as she has degrees in dance and god knows what else.

I've got a friend who has a degree in dance etc and has her own company teaching it with her DH. However, her DH is also a trustafarian so they don't need to worry about money.

don't criticise her spelling for god's sake she's already started another thread accusing others of being racist (?) towards her due to her bad English.