How did I end up with a job where I get up at 5.30am?!

[shouldntBeButIAm]

Just drinking my swift coffee and getting ready for work and wondering how I ended up with a job getting up at 5.30 and an almost 2 hour commute each way! AIBU for thinking there must be more to life?!

The best thing I did was moving 10 min walk to my job.
What can you do to change the situation?

Maybe the benefits are worth it? I only have a 10 minute commute to work but barely earn more than NMW .

Twenty five years ago I had a much better job, decent salary & company car .... but the same 2 hour commute as you each way, I made the choice that there was more to life than my job .... had I stuck to it I would be comfortably retired by now!

Fortunately although I don’t earn much I absolutely love what I do, and at my stage in life I can manage on a low salary, not so easy if you have financial commitments.
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Working locally is a lot better for work-life balance but not necessarily career. Why don't you explore options?

We moved from London to hear for the kids but we definitely need the higher salary I get from commuting back to London.

So it's entirely my fault and my choice but it is a bit wearing some days. I know I shouldn't moan as I'm lucky to have a job but...5.30!

Oops 'here' not 'hear' - it seems being tired impacts my mental capacity!

That used to be me. I still cant believe I did that. It adds so much extra pressure and takes away so much time.

I'm retired now, but my last job entailed a long commute like yours and I got up at 5 am every day. I actually liked it - I listened to audio books which wiled away the time very nicely.

Me too. Up at 5.45. 2 hour drive to work...I came on hear to say something about audio books but the previous poster beat me to it. Ironically I listened to the Shipping News only last week. I’m on my second Graham Norton novel this week already.
I feel your pain

Can you move back to London? I couldn’t do that commute, how does that give you a better quality of life? It is more fun having kids in London anyway.

I get up at 5.30 now to get ahead of the kids so I can get myself sorted before I get them up at 7 and leave at 7.30am. However in a previous job I was getting up at 5am and working from 6am to 5pm. What always surprised and slightly horrified me was just how busy the motorway was at that time. All these people up at silly o clock rushing to make a living. I do hanker for the days when everyone worked 10 mins from where they live but it just doesn't work like that anymore I suppose.

Up at 0515 but only an hour commute. Just sitting here thinking I really need a break. Lost all interest completely.

I'm hoping we're not too far from the days where those who can work from home and those who can't can work locally.

I've just had to send a text telling people I'm running late. At 05:58.

Should have left the house about 3/4 of an hour earlier. 😳

Could you live in London in the week. I work and live in London, my office is a thirty minute walk. One of my colleagues has a three hour commute!

Switch to a couple of nights away from home and a two days working from home???

Can you move back? I bet the kids would rather see more of you than live somewhere a bit nicer.

it sounds bloody hard.

Yep, did exactly the same thing. Moved out of London and have over 2 hours to get to work meaning I get up at 5.30. No idea how this is my life but need the salary now

You're not alone OP

Yanbu. I did this a long time ago and it actually depressed me. I was spending about 3 hours a day of my life travelling. I vowed to not do that again. I didnt even want to have a family if it meant living like that. It really affected me. Now ds school is 2minutes away. And dh work is also 2 minutes in the opposite direction. We live in the city though.

My limit is an hour, that's bearable. I moved to a job that took 1h 15 mins each day and it nearly finished me off! Mind you it was three changes of train, which was the main problem. If it had been one train or one car drive it might have been ok.

I like getting up early - just as well! I'm currently working an hour's walk away which I love. The route takes me across Hyde Park which is so beautiful when it's almost empty. Walking home is a nightmare now that Winter Wonderland is in full swing! The whole area is like a match day.

I'm the same but I've asked for a transfer closer to home and just waiting for a vacancy to come up. It's so tiring isn't it?!

I have just changed from a 1hr 30 commute to a 20 min bike ride! Took a £2k drop in salary but still better off than I was. Mentally it has made a huge difference.

I hear you OP. I used to live in London then we moved out but I still commuted in. It’s so tiring.

Hi fellow commuters!

There’re studies showing that when we take decisions to move and commute we underestimate the impacts of commuting time.

It sucks, but London pay and iobs are good! I’m hoping to change to a lower paid, more local iob once have enough savings to help DC, and an OK pension.

I know a number of mums who took a much lower paid job or stopped work because of it. The men almost all still commute.