To use savings to take time off work for stress

[Oliv1990]

I’m currently working in a job that is making me absolutely miserable. Can’t explain why, it’s different to what I’ve done before and I don’t feel confident in it and my team leader stresses me out W lot. I’ve struggled with my depression and anxiety more since starting than ever before. It’s not a long term job for me as I’m hopin to go into something different. I can’t get signed off sick as the job I want does rigorous background checks and being off sick for mental health would end my chances. I have a substantial amount of savings and have seen other jobs to apply to but I feel that the only way to get through these mental health struggles is to have some time off while I wait to get a new job. I planned to use the savings for house renovations, I’d still have some for this and it’s nothing major I need to do with the house. I don’t feel like I can focus on anything positive that I need to do to get my future career while in this mindset. On medication and having therapy but 5 days a week in a job making me so stressed means that has little impact. I know it isn’t ideal and some would see it as a waste of money but I just want some opinions on whether I should do it or not.

I took 8 months off for similar reasons. My last job had just burnt me out and so I left, moved house and lived off my savings until I felt ready to work again with renewed energy.

For me, it was well worth it.

I tended to give more positive sounding reasons for the CV gap (i.e. I'd just moved hourse, my mother was unwell and I wanted to focus on those things, I'd acheived a lat in my career over the previous few years and wanted to take. breather before taking on the next challenge). Not untrue, but not focussing on the stress element. Didn't seem to harm my job prospects.

If you can afford it, go for it. Nothing wrong with that. As long as you keep a financial safety net in case you don't get a new job fast enough or something bad happens. Your mental health is more important than doing your house up.

Sounds a very good plan

One tip I have is to have “something” to fill up your cv even if you don’t need the money.

So enrol on - say- a part-time evening course or an online one with negligible time commitments but which is vaguely professional sounding or linked to your field (think 2 hours a week or something).

Do it without hesitation.

Isn’t this why we save, to have funds put aside for a “rainy day”? Well, this is your rainy day. There’s no point having money sitting around in the bank whilst you live a miserable existence, when using the money could easily solve it.

I don't think YABU and would go for it. But my only thing is the rigorous checks. If they ask for a medical would the medication and therapy not be the same as being signed off? Or is that a different level.

Like if a person is signed off for say four weeks, does that go against them but a person taking medication it doesn't? For whatever the new career is.

You only have one life. If the job is making you this miserable it's not the right job for you. Leave.

I think you should go for it. Savings can be replaced, time cannot and as others have said, life is too short.

I agree, we Dave die things we need and it sounds like you need this.

I am curious what field would openly discriminate against people who have had a mental health illness.

I did this. Very similar reasons. I agree with planning this carefully so you can positively articulate the career gap. Either a course or some volunteering in a related field. Plus some relaxation and social time to help you recover

My boss made me hate my job that I had always loved. I had a break (including study and volunteering) and then got back into it and have loved it ever since.

Thank you everyone! Funnily enough I just got a call from a job I interviewed for a couple of weeks ago, and I got it! Won’t be starting for a few weeks but planning on still kind of doing the above and having some time off before I start, not worrying about money because I’ve got the savings. Glad I’m not being crazy. Want to start the new job in a good positive mindset!

Fantastic news, well done!

Oh that is a fabulous update

Congratulations!

Fantastic, well done!