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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how you cope with a boring job

39 replies

TheLasrStraw · 23/10/2021 18:41

I've got a new, convenient job, but I'm not busy and I've lost a lot of autonomy I had with my old employer.

How do you get through the day with a job you dislike?

The convenience around childcare means I'd be a fool to call it a day.

OP posts:
Carefultherepercy · 23/10/2021 18:44

I had an unbearably dull job at one point. Everyone was miserable and / or rude and it was just generally a really toxic environment. But... It suited me for childcare. I used to break it down into very small fractions... I would draw a pie chart and fill in a bit every half hour. That helped a bit. And I had my lunchbreak as late as possible!

Hellocatshome · 23/10/2021 18:46

Find slightly more interesting things to do and volunteer to do them. I am forever making people cups of tea just to get away from my desk.

Pikamoo · 23/10/2021 18:47

Can you listen to music or podcasts? I did that when I had an ultra boring job and boring colleagues. Other less lonely jobs I'd chat to colleagues or just busy myself with whatever the work was, clean if I had nothing else to do (retail) or maybe daydream a bit.

Mindymomo · 23/10/2021 18:47

I used to weigh up the pros and the cons of the job. I was lucky when my children were school age I worked 2/3 full days rather than every day, so that helped. My money went towards holidays whereas my DH’s money went on bills, so that was always something to look forward to, as otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to go.

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 23/10/2021 20:51

Set yourself little but challenging goals - I'll try to finish this in 15 mins; I'll tick everything off my list by midday.

As pp suggested, volunteer for extra tasks.

Find a progression opportunity and work towards it.

If you WFH put on a radio station that you like.

AliceinBorderland · 23/10/2021 20:52

See it as a means to fund your lifestyle.

Realise how much more boring life would be if you didn't have it. No money, etc.

Simonjt · 23/10/2021 20:52

My job is very boring, for every boring minute I think about the pay packet.

Pleasedonteliminate · 23/10/2021 20:53

Can you do other productive things like the online groceries? Paying bills etc

Mayhemmumma · 23/10/2021 20:54

I find boredom at work unbearable! I've had a couple of practical jobs that I couldn't hack even though it ticked so many boxes because boredom is too depressing for me.

I'd get job hunting!

Tangletester · 23/10/2021 20:56

I volunteer to do the jobs nobody else wants to do as i would rather be busy. Others seem to like having little to do. Make cups of tea for everyone to get a break from the monotony. Keep reminding myself how well the job fits in around my children (I probably do this hourly Grin).

I have gained some autonomy now I’ve been there a while and that has made a huge difference. Maybe that could happen for you?

BrilliantBetty · 23/10/2021 20:56

Are you behind a computer?

I have been known to do online courses via Open Uni while at work. Working.

Makes me feel like I have accomplished something that day.

StoneofDestiny · 23/10/2021 21:36

A boring job presumably means no responsibility, no challenge and no stress. Celebrate the fact you do t take endless worry home - meanwhile seek a less boring job.

Merryoldgoat · 23/10/2021 21:42

I had a job like that and I became very depressed very quickly. I started looking for a new job very quickly and moved on after 8 months and for the job I have now which I’ve been in for over 6 years now.

Jobs like that are just not sustainable for some people.

I had a few ask me why I hated it - they seemed to think being paid to do barely anything was somehow desirable. I found it soul destroying.

louderthan · 23/10/2021 22:14

I just make up little projects for myself; like re-wording draft emails, streamlining filing systems, colour-coding emails and diary entries, setting up Pinterest boards and Padlets for different projects. All sorts.

MacMahon · 23/10/2021 22:24

Very detailed To Do list so there was lots to cross out.

Bag of sweets in the drawer to reward myself.

Treat myself to a game of snake in the toilets.

Working out how much money and annual leave I earned per hour.

MacMahon · 23/10/2021 22:26

Tidying. I liked reorganising cupboards, notice boards, whatever.

CherryPieface · 23/10/2021 22:54

I also think you really have to focus on and make the most of your lunch hours - if you have one. I had a job I hated and always made nice plans for lunch. Sometimes it would be as simple as walking somewhere nice, others I would meet friends etc.

Oneborneverydecade · 23/10/2021 23:03

True crime podcasts help me get through my days working as a housekeeper. Fortunately I only work 3 short days per week. I struggled with knowing that there's no chance of progression but I've decided to use the time before my youngest starts school, to update my skills.

earsup · 23/10/2021 23:10

I would look for something else....boredom at work is awful...I once had a well paid temp job with BT....nothing to do all day....read books, papers, etc ...manager even used to hold seances etc to kill time...i eventually left....despite the good money.

Original poster
TheLasrStraw · 24/10/2021 08:45

Some interesting ideas here, thank you.

It is making me feel low. I might try the pie chart.

Is no -one worried about leaving a digital footprint doing other stuff online during contractual hours?
.

OP posts:
DrSbaitso · 24/10/2021 09:23

Are you working from home?

Wejustdontknow · 24/10/2021 10:04

My job is full on (retail) but extremely boring, I don’t need to use my brain to do it so it can get you down. I keep it as I’m also at uni and it fits in perfectly with that and the kids.
I have become a pro at going elsewhere in my head, I spend an awful lot of time drafting my assignments and when I’ve had enough of that I relive my best holidays, I might be filling up the garlic bread in a shop in South Yorkshire but in my head I am often in Rome or Australia 😆

listsandbudgets · 24/10/2021 10:20

I had a job working on a conveyer belt in a sandwich factory once.. Allnday long I put a handful of grated cheese on a piece of bread. The woman next to me on one side only wanted to talk to her friend on her other side and the other lady barely spoke English and kept disappearing to the toilet for ages.. in fact that was the highlight of my day because I got to put on her two pieces of cucumber as well as the cheese... harder than you'd think as belt moved fairly quickly.

I took to learning long poems and reciting them in my head or making up stories. it was freezing cold and miserable.

Thankfully they eventually moved me to night shift. We made burgers for the trains ( don't eat them folks!!) and had to hose down all the conveyer belts. Managers at night a lot less strict and we were allowed music.

I thought it was boring then got a data entry job...

Original poster
TheLasrStraw · 24/10/2021 16:56

I'm in a cold office which makes it worse.

WFH not allowed.

OP posts:
GiltEdges · 24/10/2021 17:01

Is no -one worried about leaving a digital footprint doing other stuff online during contractual hours?

For data protection reasons, this type of monitoring is actually far rarer than people imagine. Check your company's acceptable use policy for what is and isn't acceptable to do on a work device and ensure you're not explicitly breaking any rules e.g. the company I work for has a ban on social media sites and things like hotmail. Then also check the employee privacy notice to see if it says anything about employee monitoring. If it does, it should state clearly what types of monitoring they'll do and under what circumstances. It would be very rare for a company to monitor someone who's under no suspicion of doing anything wrong, for example.