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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be over my work and not know what to do

30 replies

Midlifelights · 12/08/2020 21:40

I feel bad posting this when so many people are losing work and on one level I am grateful to have a currently secure job (even tho it might change)

I work in student support advice role at a university & it’s well paid and it was interesting until the pandemic. It was face to face guidance & help & some teaching & I enjoyed it.

Since the pandemic it’s just been one big endless series of joyless zoom meetings and it’s sucked me dry. I have no enthusiasm or drive or anything left to give. I feel like I can’t bear to do another day and opening my laptop for yet another day of zoom makes me feel ill. It’s looking like the autumn term will be delivered online and I can’t face it.

Aibu? My job has totally changed and requires a totally new set of skills that I hate. It’s making me a wreck sitting in my bedroom doing joyless meeting after joyless meeting.

I know I should be grateful for a well paid job but it’s literally breaking my soul too.

Aarrggh.

OP posts:
MumsyMumIAmNot · 12/08/2020 22:31

YANBU OP.

IrenetheQuaint · 12/08/2020 22:34

YANBU. It is miserable and I'm not sure such a thing as a fun job exists at the moment. But, as you say, better to have a secure job than not.

carlyfrench · 12/08/2020 22:35

I hear you. I went back to the office after the thought of more zoom was making me feel nauseous.

However, if it's temporary and you generally like the job, I really would try to hang in there. Can you get out for fresh air before you start and at lunch? That helps me cope.

123rd · 12/08/2020 22:37

I feel the same.
I work in a totally different sector but the sentiment is the same. I'm covering for numerous people who have been furloughed.
I really miss the office, and even the people. I work in a small team and still talk to some of them but it's not the same.
I could easily walk away... well apart from not being able to pay the bills etc!

CyberNan · 12/08/2020 22:39

we are all on zoom... if you do get another job, that is likely to involved zoom as well.

its shit, but to be fair my meetings are a lot quicker now that they are not face to face...

mt33446 · 12/08/2020 22:44

I work in the same sector and feel your pain. The day to day undercertainty and continual change is challenging and disheartening at times. I think you will love your job again and hopefully as term starts you will get a few more of the usual interactions you are used to. We'll get there! (but god some days are tough)

Original poster
Midlifelights · 13/08/2020 05:56

Thanks everyone - I am glad it’s not just me. I miss the office and a team of people too- it’s really isolating working at home - I know lots of people find this too. It’s my motivation (or lack of) that really worries me and gets me down

OP posts:
WhereamI88 · 13/08/2020 10:16

Yeah my job sucks even more since lockdown. I dislike it at the best of times but the endless zoom calls and isolation are killing me. Wish I could see people again, that was the only part of the job that I liked!!!

OntheWaves40 · 13/08/2020 10:20

Look for a keyworker role then you won’t be on zoom. I’m a keyworker and I’d love a zoom job! Be careful what you wish for!

FluffyKittensinabasket · 13/08/2020 10:31

My job is okay and I can WFH but I am so disengaged with it! I am lucky that I have a home office space. I do the best I can but I really don’t actually care!

Just holding on for my mat leave...

WhereamI88 · 13/08/2020 10:32

@OntheWaves40 telling someone to quit their career in the middle of a pandemic and right before the worst recession we've ever seen isn't helpful. Just like your job has been made worse, so has hers and she's allowed to be upset by it. Sick of all the "you should be grateful" posts. Yes, you have it hard. Yes, she knows she's lucky she has her health and a job. Doesn't change the fact that her job description has been completely overhauled and she's finding sitting behind a computer day in day out isolating and she's allowed to express it.

Why don't you quit your job for a "zoom job" if it's so tough?

chargeorge · 13/08/2020 10:34

I think most people working from home feel this way, I certainly do/did and will be thankful to get back to "proper" work in September. Keep your eye on the future and you will realise that Zoom isn't forever and get back into the office when you can, at least it will be a break from the bedroom!
Take care
Charlotte

Waveysnail · 13/08/2020 10:36

Could u suggest to management that you would like tonrtuen to office part time? I'm sure some students need face to face contact. Even behind a screen it would be better than zoom?

WhereamI88 · 13/08/2020 10:58

@Waveysnail if her workplace is anything like mine and my friends', they're probably not even trying to get people back. We've been told it's too much of a headache and expense to get us back for a short period of time before lockdown happens again. My bosses think come winter restrictions will be in place again so they don't think opening is worth it. In spite of repeated requests from many of us....

ilovesooty · 13/08/2020 11:04

I think that it's natural to feel as you are feeling and that it's fine to challenge the narrative of how wonderful working from home is. As someone else wisely said, you will enjoy your job again. It just feels a long way off for you, especially when you know that next term will be online too.

CoffeeWithMyOxygen · 13/08/2020 11:09

Look for a keyworker role then you won’t be on zoom. I’m a keyworker and I’d love a zoom job! Be careful what you wish for!

This isn’t even true, I’m a key worker and loads of my job is now on MS Teams (Zoom is banned for security issues). Not all key workers are physically out there, plenty of us are keeping things running across a bucket load of strategic and tactical meetings and plans.

OP YANBU - I feel the same. I’m just trying to hold on to the fact that this isn’t forever.

Beebyonthewold · 13/08/2020 11:19

You’re not alone OP. I am really disliking my job now- anything stressful/difficult seems 10 times worse than when I was in the office and had the support of others in my team, sharing ideas etc. Yes we can zoom or speak on the phone but it really isn’t the same. I feel totally unmotivated. And then I feel guilty for feeling this way as I know I am lucky to have a job, however much I hate it!!

Laaalaaaa · 13/08/2020 11:27

@OntheWaves40

Look for a keyworker role then you won’t be on zoom. I’m a keyworker and I’d love a zoom job! Be careful what you wish for!
Key worker - yawn. You do realise that plenty of ‘keyworker’ jobs are also done from home. Leaving your house and going to your workplace does not make someone a key worker.
Popc0rn · 13/08/2020 11:31

@OntheWaves40 "be careful what you wish for" could be said for key workers who work outside of home too. For me going to work has given me a (small) feeling of normality and interaction with people. Yes it was really scary earlier on and my anxiety was through the roof, but it's getting better now.

Anyway OP you are not alone, all of my friends who are working from home aren't enjoying it either and are struggling with motivation. Some of their tips:

  • Get up and go for a walk first thing (your new "commute").
  • If you can, try to create a workspace away from your bedroom (not possible for everyone I know, but makes it a bit easier to separate work from home life).
  • Talk to your colleagues, they probably feel the same. Some of my friends have regular zoom quizzes with their colleagues, but sounds like you are all zoomed out! Could you suggest meeting up for a socially distanced walk or coffee?
Lyricallie · 13/08/2020 11:32

Totally agree I'm so bored and I don't even have zoom meetings often. It's just me staring at my screen reading documents which is boring at the best of times. Now I have to do it with noone to discuss and think through ideas with. I like being at home because I get more of my time back but I don't like being at home as my work is suffering. I won't be back in until the next year.

SaltyAndFresh · 13/08/2020 11:33

@OntheWaves40

Look for a keyworker role then you won’t be on zoom. I’m a keyworker and I’d love a zoom job! Be careful what you wish for!
This.
Regularname · 13/08/2020 11:36

You are not alone. I’m not on Zoom but am online. I miss proper face to face colleagues.

Maybe part of it is where you are working. Is there any way to improve the practical way that you are work? Could you fit in a small desk. Can you put up a few pictures if that is what you had at work. Also zone it off even with just a curtain if that is where you sleep as well. I know it’s not the same YANBU.

Summerhillsquare · 13/08/2020 11:41

Oh god I could have written this. I loved(d) my job, how I have no motivation. Following in the hope someone will have some tips!

OntheWaves40 · 13/08/2020 11:42

@WhereamI88 I didn’t tell someone to quit their career in the middle of a pandemic I said have a look at some keyworker roles, just looking is usually enough to make people appreciate what they have.

OntheWaves40 · 13/08/2020 11:45

@Popc0rn totally agree, being a keyworker is bloody hard and I dream about wfh but I wouldn’t do it (because I am careful what I wish for!)

I think the pandemic as a whole is leaving everyone with a sense of restlessness and demotivated. This heat is also adding to that.

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