Figuring out what I want to do in life?

[SarahH12]

Please tell me I'm not the only one in a job they don't like but no idea what I would like? I'm surrounded by people who all appear to love their job and seem to have found their niche? AIBU to think it's not that uncommon to be in the situation I'm in and being good at something isn't always enough? It's just so disheartening when I appear to be the only one who's clueless.

I seem to have bobbed through life to get to this point, fallen into to certain things and just kept on going. For example I was good at science a levels so I did a science degree and now I work in the science industry.

But I'm not happy. I hate my job. I dread every morning waking up knowing I have to go in and do a job I don't enjoy. I'm constantly being told by people "you're good at what you do" and "this is a fantastic opportunity for you" etc. But being good at something isn't always enough is it?

My intention was to spend Christmas looking for other roles. But I don't even know where to start...

Have you ever had anything that you've always fancied doing/been interested in?

I'd think about what you enjoy doing at work and outside of it. Are there any bits of your job that you enjoy? What are you good at generally? Then start from there to think about how those skills translate into a career. For example, are you more of an introvert or an extravert? Are you willing to retrain or could you use your experience to make a sideways move? Perhaps ask those closest to you what career they think you'd be suited to. You might have strengths you didn't realise.

I have suffered with ill health recently as a result any hobbies have gone by the wayside. The only things I really currently enjoy are walking and well that's about it really

I'm very introverted. I would be willing to retrain but funds are low so I wouldn't for example be able to fund a second degree. We could in theory manage on just DP's wage so I could retrain if it was a free course or bursary type system but not if we had to pay out thousands on top of not earning. I'm not sure if that makes sense...

To be honest the one real thing that means anything to me is having a family. But I can't make any money from that and we're not currently in a position to start ttc so I couldn't take a career break to become a SAHM...

What do you do now OP? Just thinking we might be able to help with suggestions that are different but potentially use the same skills.

I don't think it's that unusual to hate your job. I certainly know a lot of people that do. In fact many of the people you think appear to be happy and contented probably hate their job too.

If your dream is to start a family, I think you should work towards that. If you can't afford to be a sahm, could you go back part time? Would it be more bearable part time, with a baby at home?

If not I'm not sure what anyone here can tell you. You need to identify an area you'd like to work in I guess, possibly with the support of a careers advisor.

paddybear I have a degree in chemistry but work in quality assurance at the moment and have done for the last 18 months or so. I always wanted to do more practical based chemistry but due to my ongoing health conditions I am unable to carry out anything physical.

I think it would be more bearable part time. I think ideally though I'd really like to find something more enjoyable before we have DC. I'm not sure if I'd really struggle leaving DC in childcare whilst I carry out a job I don't like. Maybe that's an idealistic and impractical view though.