To feel totally exhausted, even though I work part time?

[SatansReject]

I’m 38. I work 18 hours a week as a nurse in a non manual role (I basically sit in an office and patients come to me for basic treatment, dressings, injections, suture removals etc) so as far as nursing goes, it’s an easy enough role.

But I feel totally exhausted and overwhelmed. I start at 8:30 with a 20 minute drive to get there. I finish at 1pm and only work mom-Thursday. When I get home I take my dog out for a couple of hours, usually home by 4pm. But I’m just so exhausted. I feel like a fraud when other people are working 40 hours + (my DH included) and I’m desperate to give up work (or just work two days a week) but I know it’s unreasonable.

What on earth is wrong with me? My nursing registration ran out in October and I actually considered not renewing it so that I’d have an excuse not to work. I’ve stopped doing all the stuff I enjoy (martial arts class, running etc) and DH and I have booked a meal twice in the past two weeks and have cancelled both as I just can’t face going out, I’m just too tired.

I also dislike my job as I don’t like being around people. I thought of retraining as a dog trainer/kennel hand but you need a degree which I can’t afford to do. I just feel so trapped.

When I was looking for dog daycare I couldn't have given 2 hoots if the person had a degree in just wanted to make sure they were kind, the sort of person id feel safe letting themselves into my house and had good testimonials. Could you afford to buy a wee chunk of land somewhere to do it?

I don't think it's normal to feel that exhausted with that lifestyle, I work full time and don't feel tired. I'd look at underlying health issues- sleep quality, diet, depression, iron levels etc. Trip to the Dr?

Could you afford to not work for the short term and set up as a dog Walker?
I think you sound like you could be depressed and/or perimenopausal. Missed it if you said what age you are?

My ideal life would revolve around dogs. I’d run dog day care and also work with dog training. But I can’t afford to do a canine degree.

^I know a groomer and a dog walker. Neither have any animal related qualifications let alone a “canine degree”

My ideal life would revolve around dogs. I’d run dog day care and also work with dog training. But I can’t afford to do a canine degree.

I know someone who jacked in a lucrative accounting business, set up dog boarding and walking (no qualifications) and now earns more than she used to. If there’s demand in your area, it’s worth considering. You wouldn’t necessarily need to quit work first, could set up on the side initially?

I was going to suggest a Vit D supplement, but they aren’t all effective. Apparently one in a capsule is best.

Otherwise, a Wellwoman multivitamin works wonders for me and I suffer from very similar, unexplained, constant exhaustion (I do have kids but I have a lot of help).

Also, working four short days means you only get three to mentally unwind. I did this once and found it tougher than working three full days.

The vet receptionists at my local vet practice are all huge animal lovers and working as one might be a start and a springboard into related work. Another friend is a professional dog walker and I am sure doesn’t have a canine degree. She is out walking them in the Forest every morning on weekdays.

Sounds to me like a mixture of all 3
Anxiety depression and peri symptoms.
Just be careful it doesn’t get overload.
Most of your symptoms fit into both categories. Anxiety/depression and peri
But whatever category there there
You don’t have to gone back on sert
Try another, if you do though give the dose at least 8/12 weeks to adjust
Then if no change up dose then
Gp tend to up dosage far to quick and we suffer horrible SE

Can you afford to give up work?

I would book an appointment with a GP - I don’t think working 8.30 until 1 in what you admit isn’t the most challenging/tiring kind of work should make you feel like this. Don’t feel like a fraud though, you can’t help how you feel. We all have varying energy, but yours does sound very low - I would get it checked out.

Why lifelong anemia? That's a symptom of coeliac disease. Have you been checked for that?
Untreated coeliac disease will cause exhaustion and depression among other things and doesn't always manifest as severe stomach symptoms.

Some of these responses do make me feel ashamed. I work between 17-24 hours a week, am looking for more but not always easy finding the extra hours. I have ulcerative colitis although it is well controlled, I do feel sore and tired quite a bit. I take little annual leave. This year I have taken 5 days in total. I do feel tired but feel ashamed now after reading this thread as I also don't have kids.

Why would you feel ashamed? It's nobody else business if you work less. IceAndASlice123

Too many equate work with something virtuous. If all you can manage is 16 or 23 or 30 hours, it's no ones business.

Life long anaemia.... that is your main problem.

Iron

I'm 49 and work 30 hours a week (unless they are short when I do more) and I am permanently completely exhausted. I've been feeling terribly guilty about it and like I'm some kind of weakling. Thank you for all the words on this thread assuring that it's ok to feel that way.

Most are saying it is not ok to feel that way th out PP.
It isn't always a choice to work shorter hours either

That way though

how long have you felt this way op?
it isnt simply the time of year?

I have a friend who, with her partner, gave up work for various reasons. They now do doggy day care, with some longer overnight canine guests. The dogs are generally small although they will take a larger dog if it is a couple together (ie a small and a large) They stay in their house with them and get spoilt rotten with long walks and plenty of playtime.

They certainly don't have a canine degree. They totally love their life now and make a lot of money from it. In fact their only regret is that they didn't make the leap of faith years ago. We get regular photos of one or other of them sat on the beach surrounded by dogs with the caption 'A hard day at the office!'

If this is what you want and feel would make you happy then give it a go.

other than life long anaemia - It's really weird you just glossed over this. You must know that deficiency in iron and B12 leads to exhaustion and can also make you feel depressed?

What sort of medication are you taking for your B vitamin and iron, etc?

IceAndASlice123

Understood. I just meant as in I'm not being ridiculous in feeling so tired myself since other people feel the same way. And, a persons worth is not determined by me by how many hours they do or don't work

I think people are saying it's nothing to be ashamed of, not that it's ok medically. All my life I've felt I didn't have enough energy. I worked part time. I'm better if I exclude wheat, dairy and potatoes from my diet. But working in the wrong job is stressful, and being stressed is exhausting. When I found myself stopping doing the things that made me happy because the job was taking all my energy, I gave up the job.
So, vit d. Diet. Different antidepressant. Change of career. That's quite a challenge, but it's worth it OP.

I actually think working part time can be very difficult as you can get put on as "you only work part time" .

I work with kids and certainly don't have a stress free job yet I know many judge as I don't work the 40 hours plus they all do.
I agree that work hours do not define a person but sadly I feel for some it does. And people who work part time are not allowed to say they feel tired or are wanting a break from going to the same place day in day out even if they are not actually there the typical 9-5.

OP, work isn't the only thing that could be making you tired is there something else bothering you in terms of family issues, relationship problems etc? That can be draining if you are juggling it alongside work.

I think some of the earlier posts were incredibly harsh. I have a medical condition, but I'm not sure if that's the reason why I'm permanently knackered.

I've only worked part time since Ds1, 16 years ago.

But, I also do all the dentists, mufti days, batch cooking etc.

Tis no mean feat to manage a household.

@Oblomov19 totally with you! Running a household is extremely tiring. I no longer work outside of home due to illness and there's never enough hours in the day, especially if I'm having a bad day with my health.

I’m also confused as to why you’ve skipped over life-long anaemia... if you know you have it and are treating it appropriately, ie with supplements, surely it wouldn’t show up. Lack of iron would result in the utter exhaustion you describe.