Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To leave a decent paying job as it makes me ill?

79 replies

ginorwine · 31/08/2014 16:43

Have professional job- rewarding but v stressful. Off work with anxiety and was two years ago for same reason. I only work part time but take extra work home with me and think about work . Have had cbt in past which worked for short while. If I leave we will have to move house and not be in position to help our dc in future - weddings , help at uni etc. this is because I can't get another job to pay half of what I earn now and would not be able to fund a car. If I leave I do not want to have a v responsible job , I feel totally burnt out , hence my potential wage would reflect that, I feel guilty that am letting family down and reducing our income significantly as well as having to move house. We have done the maths. Anyone else been in this position?

OP posts:
ginorwine · 31/08/2014 17:30

Thank you all for your support. I'm worried about affecting my family and you have helped me to focus on health issues alongside my guilt!

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 31/08/2014 17:32

Another escaped teacher here. Nothing is worth compromising your health for.

ginorwine · 31/08/2014 17:35

Guggenheim - thanks . You right I don't have time to think as tho I'm part time in reality I'm there 24 / 7 in my head. It seems to dominate my life and c b t has not altered things permantly! I think it may be feat of the unknown that holds me back as this had been my only job since qualifying and I don't know what it's like to work for a business etc !!

OP posts:
ginorwine · 31/08/2014 17:36

So escaped professionals what alternatives did you find? I'm thinking catering!

OP posts:
duchesse · 31/08/2014 17:41

I left teaching because it was making me ill. I earn a quarter of what I used to earn but have regained both sanity and physical health. That seems a good trade off for me and us. DH has a job that he loves and earns enough to keep us.

Earlybird · 31/08/2014 17:46

What exactly is it that makes your current job stressful?

Workload?

Deadlines?
Hours?

Boss?

Colleagues?

Juggling life/work balance?

Asking as I wonder if changing jobs will actually resolve your issue.

If you changed into a less well paid/less stressful job, would that solve things? By quitting your current job and starting work in something less well paid, would you simply be moving from job stress into financial stress?

Writerwannabe83 · 31/08/2014 17:54

Two years ago I left a job because it was making me so Ill. I was crying most days, absolutely dreading going to work and I just couldn't handle it anymore.

I got another job which was far less stressful and my monthly income dropped by about £700 - so a substantial drop.

I definitely miss the money but I prefer being happy in my job which I now am!!!

ginorwine · 31/08/2014 17:55

Early bird - yes I've been worrying about replacing one stress with another! The stress is none of those really it's the nature of my work .heavy end social work .complex cases. I over work to best option for people and take work home with me physically and emotionally.

OP posts:
ginorwine · 31/08/2014 17:56

I just hate it so much it effects rest of week .

OP posts:
ginorwine · 31/08/2014 17:58

Writer and others - what alternative jobs are you happier in? :)

OP posts:
joanofarchitrave · 31/08/2014 18:11

Much sympathy. I work in a much less stressful but therapeutic job and it is normal for me to spend the whole of Friday night 're-seeing' every patient I saw that day and questioning my decisions, waking at 4am a couple of other nights worrying about patients, to have difficulty switching off etc. I love my job and am quite happy but I can imagine what it is like if it gets more intense, more responsible, more senior.

My dh trained as a lawyer and worked full time for 20 years alongside a severe mental health diagnosis, he finally ran into the ground while working for himself! He'd left his job as he was in a terrible streak for years of having to be in bed for two days every fortnight plus doing almost nothing but work, eat and sleep because he was so ill. Even more stressful running his own business as nobody else to help manage the deadlines and responsibility, the anxiety overwhelmed him. After a bumpy few years and dreadful relapses including some triggered by ATOS benefits processes, things have been much calmer in the past year. I hope he might return to some volunteering in the future but am in no hurry tbh.

Financially, bear in mind that things change. E.g. when your eldest child leaves home, would you then be able to rent out a room and fund some university costs that way? Could they live at home for uni? Could they get part time jobs and contribute to the household? If you have garden space could you have some chickens and sell/eat eggs (not financially viable below a certain level though). It's worth also thinking about what costs you have due to work, e.g. transport, clothing, 'treats' to get you through the week etc. You could grow more food or get an allotment with more time.

Decide what life you would like to have (e.g. your partner clearly would still like to retire at ?65?) write it all down and make forecasts, then work out what the financial 'gap' is. Then think about how to fill the gap. By the way, don't waste your time thinking about wedding costs - the vast majority of couples expect to pay for their own weddings these days. That sounds very much like anxiety-based thought processes. Have you tried a mindfulness course/increased exercise? You'd have more time to do this without your job. I know mindfulness gets a mixed press in recent weeks but it has been a lifesaver for dh.

flakeyfinancials · 31/08/2014 18:15

read the minimalists.com - he left a 'big' job. No one says we have to pursue high incomes, no can force you too.

Writerwannabe83 · 31/08/2014 18:17

I'm a nurse and the wars I worked on was soul destroying for me. It was a very intense ward and the work was physically and emotionally draining and after it slowly getting worse and worse I knew I either had to leave of I would crack up.

I have got another job in the nursing sector but one that is far more relaxed, far less pressure, much less intensity and I work less hours too.

Part of me does pine for the work I used to do as I feel like I've 'sold out' a little bit and that I am wasting all my knowledge and experience by working in this easier job. However, my happiness and mental state is far more important.

I'm pretty sure in a few years I will return to ward work but for now I'm just happy to have time away from it and be happy instead.

Clarabell33 · 31/08/2014 18:17

Sounds like the position my DM was in when I was mid-teens. She was a teacher. Although I think we probably could have managed financially, she kept on slogging it out as long as she could, til I (youngest) was past my GCSEs. I remember being more worried about her when she was clearly stressed and in poor health - i.e. when she was working - than not, and was consequently more stressed myself.

Fifteen years on, her health is very poor, the same conditions that were exacerbated by her work in the first place. You can't say it definitely wouldn't have been this bad now had she given up work earlier, but it is a likely factor. I'd rather not have had any of the financial help (for the exact things you mention, weddings and uni) that my parents were able to give me and my brothers, and have a healthier and happier Mum then and now. So even if it means moving to a worse house/area in the middle of their GCSEs, having their mum healthy and happy, even if the family is now skint, is immeasurably better than a mum who's worked herself to complete burnout for extra cash. If you and your DH can still afford a roof over your heads, food etc, then you are still succeeding in looking after your family and that's far more important than nice holidays, cars etc. It sounds like your DH is supportive and you don't know what might happen re work in the future in any case (you may find something with a decent salary that isn't so stressful), so please look after yourself now, for everyone's sake.

cashmiriana · 31/08/2014 18:17

I did it.

Am still scared, a year later, and we're struggling financially compared to formerly (though not on the breadline by any means) but I'm not killing myself by going to work every day any more (and that isn't much of an exaggeration - my blood pressure was so high when I finally went to the doctor that they seriously considered sending me into hospital.)

I don't want to say any more openly but am happy to talk about it by pm.

Chewbecca · 31/08/2014 18:19

If you don't want to leave altogether you need to make changes to your working practices. You possibly might need to sign off sick and get your head back together first but either way, speak seriously to your workplace, the changes that need to be made & all agree a plan to make the changes and ensure you don't slip into old habits.

ginorwine · 31/08/2014 18:20

Joan - yes I'm doing mindfulness course at moment and it is great . However I'm anxious to retun to work as mindfulness and time off is helping and I am afraid to feel worse again!!!

OP posts:
fun1nthesun · 31/08/2014 18:23

You shouldn't stay in a job that makes you unwell. However, there are other jobs out there.

Have you thought of retraining or changing career?

ginorwine · 31/08/2014 18:27

Fun as I'm now 50 I don't want to retrain in a similar professional job but fancy catering. I don't mind hard work . It's the emotional nature of my job which I take home with me that effects me. My employer is being v helpful and trying to offer as much adjustment as they can for me to retun but my concern is the job combined with my disposition is a no no !!!!!

OP posts:
ginorwine · 31/08/2014 18:30

Chew- yes work have been great and tried to do this. It's just I don't know if I will ever get my head back on as my disposition and the job seem to be a mismatch though I have liked it in the past its just my ability not to take work home with me has lessened and lessened over the years and affected me more and more. I've been trying g mindfulness and cbt but I just feel shot now!

OP posts:
FeelTheNoise · 31/08/2014 18:32

I left social work. I felt bullied constantly and got more abuse from few colleagues than families! I took a job that pays £10k less, which is definitely a problem, but don't underestimate how expensive stress is! I was always buying food, lots of midweek wine after difficult days, lots of driving etc. Now I don't commute, I took an admin job in a brilliant place, I take a packed lunch, I drink much less, and I laugh until I cry at work constantly Smile
Don't get me wrong, I'm not working to my ability and my manager is dreadful, but I'm happy and I'm not at breaking point

ginorwine · 31/08/2014 18:36

Feel good for you ! I can't imagine another job! Wd you be able to tell me what sort of thing ? Have seen admin job in hospital. I admit I'm a little worried about other jobs as have done sw since qualified and am used to setting my own diary etc ......

OP posts:
Didiusfalco · 31/08/2014 18:36

To be honest gino what helped for me was my DH saying 'its not worth it, just leave we'll sort it out'. Much as I understand your DH feeling 'sad' I think it probably isnt helping you feel able to leave. I needed to be told my health was more important than the money, given permission I suppose. Although I worry about my pension as I am definitely low waged now I would rather work a bit longer than burn out. You sound as though your confidence is low but Im sure as a social worker you have lots of transferrable skills that would be attractive to employers.

ginorwine · 31/08/2014 18:38

And I'm glad you laugh at work !!! Fab!

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 31/08/2014 18:39

I'm looking to leave midwifery for similar reasons. Scary though as I don't have much idea what else to do and whatever it is won't pay as well.

Swipe left for the next trending thread