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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have ‘gone off’ working?

426 replies

haribofiend · 10/01/2022 23:26

Okay so I realise I am unreasonable!

But does anyone else feel the same?

I’m not a lazy person, have always worked v.hard, too hard at times, if anything!

But lately (since Covid / lockdown, but maybe it’s just a coincidence) I’m so fed up of it. I’m not in the wrong job - I like my work well enough… but not as much as I’d like leisure time Blush I find I’m wistfully looking forward to retirement, and I’m only 34!!

I’m a bit shocked at myself tbh. Is it just me who’s had this change of heart lately and needs a big old boot up the bum?

OP posts:
Parsley1234 · 12/01/2022 07:06

@haribofiend look what you’ve started 😂😂😂a community of honest people being honest about work and how bullshit most of it is. I work for the DWP and that is a bullshit job we were taken on in the pandemic and I loved the work my manager was great team great senior manager great I did some amazing work with claimants really amazing fast forward 17 months we are all being let go of hence my post yesterday as the new senior team think we can do in 10 mins what we need 30 mins to do and they need less work coaches. Cost cutting at the heart of the most vulnerable and employing agency to fill the gaps you couldn’t make it up, I have a plan b though which involves doing air B and B and re establishing my canine business which was closed through the pandemic. Thinking of you all today and hoping something positive comes ♥️

rookiemere · 12/01/2022 07:24

Oh wow I thought I was the only one who did the procrastination and ended up having to work late, and yy to the wanting to go to the office, but now couldn't be bothered with it.

AlbertBridge · 12/01/2022 10:07

A colleague glossed all her woodwork over a course of such meetings.

I LOVE this! 😆 😆

D0lphine · 12/01/2022 10:08

@AlbertBridge

A colleague glossed all her woodwork over a course of such meetings.

I LOVE this! 😆 😆

This colleague is an INSPIRATION
tigerbear · 12/01/2022 10:53

Booked a holiday last night, and am unbelievably excited! Just having something to look forward to has made me feel more motivated today (plus, I need to work more to afford it 😬)

SD25 · 12/01/2022 11:58

@Feelingoktoday 100% agree!

CBB2021 · 12/01/2022 13:33

I’ve found my people. I came back from maternity leave in the summer and going back on mat leave this summer. I’m basically counting down the days until I finish up.

I just have no motivation. I feel like it’s all so pointless and everyone just can’t be asked and is pushing stuff onto everyone else.

Also TOTALLY relate to wanting to go into the office but also feeling like you just can’t be bloody bothered!!

DolphinFC · 12/01/2022 17:10

@AlbertBridge

A colleague glossed all her woodwork over a course of such meetings.

I LOVE this! 😆 😆

Is that a euphemism?
Mirw · 12/01/2022 17:46

Doubt you can afford to retire at 33... I am 59 and can't afford to retire even though I am in a better position than I have ever been. Either knuckle down or change job. Or third option find a partner with loads of money and be their concubine.

restingbitchface30 · 12/01/2022 17:46

Me too, but I do despise my job. I recently fell pregnant and was over the moon. We really want a baby but also I get a year to spend with them off work. And the other day I found out it was twins so highly doubt I’ll be going back to work. I am over the moon at this blessing but also being able to have time away from the workplace when I’ve worked non stop for 20 years. It’s my dream! And I’m also 36 so it seems mid 30s is a common theme!

Joesmummy1 · 12/01/2022 17:52

I’m the same. Aged 47.

Completely over work. Seems so mindless and ridiculous to spend so much time doing something that’s not really meaningful when life is so so short

D0lphine · 12/01/2022 17:53

@Mirw

Doubt you can afford to retire at 33... I am 59 and can't afford to retire even though I am in a better position than I have ever been. Either knuckle down or change job. Or third option find a partner with loads of money and be their concubine.
Concubine looking like a good option!

It's no wonder women are sacking off their office jobs to sell foot pictures on only fans!

Forsure69 · 12/01/2022 17:57

Don't think you're on your own there.

Everything has gone up in price, the government are aload of assholes (Bojo) We work our arses off to fund their pay checks. An there is feck all we can do about it!!

So go be "lazy" if you want.

1Mumbling · 12/01/2022 18:16

Yep!

browneyes77 · 12/01/2022 18:22

I can utterly relate.

I sit here wishing for a big win on the lottery so I can give up work and just spend my time doing my hobby of wildlife photography

I’m 44 and feel so worn out by having to work everyday. And let’s be honest, many of us work because we have to, not because we actually want to!

Elisi · 12/01/2022 18:24

I think it's everyone poppet. I genuinely like what I do for a living, I'm an external auditor, I chose it and trained for it, but after 2 years of being off, I can NOT get up the enthusiasm to go back! I've got used to my own hours :)

Gingercat86 · 12/01/2022 18:27

This is me! Have always worked full time even after having the kids but I'm just done with it now Grin but also know that I'd be extremely bored not working!! Am at a bit of a loss with what do do with my life!!

SouthernComforter · 12/01/2022 18:31

100,000% this!
I'm 42 and started a new job three months ago. Compared to my previous role (public health comms) it is fairly unchallenging. In a previous role I worked three days a week and will probably ask to drop a day in this one soon. There is just so much life to be lived! (And life admin to do. And children to look after.) None of this gets done sitting at my desk in the dining room...

CandyCane17 · 12/01/2022 18:34

With you there! I’m a wedding/party planner and loved it. Perfect job as far as I was concerned. Post-lockdown I have lost all enthusiasm for it; I still work bloody hard for my clients, but I’m just waiting for my lucky numbers to come up.

ilovechocolate07 · 12/01/2022 18:45

I work in a school and I'm utterly fed up. The behaviour is atrocious (not the children's fault), the covid risk is real, my pay is poor and there's lots more around politics. I try to be positive and start each day with a pep talk but I think I'm in the wrong job. I used to adore my job and now I'm trying to find a way out.

CallmeBadJanet · 12/01/2022 18:51

@haribofiend I felt like this in my thirties, ended up changing jobs and things improved. I subsequently had kids and two other jobs, but then 3 years ago, started to get the feeling again. Changed career, I now work part time in a new sector and live cheaply and feel much happier. Either change career or go part time and develop a side hustle. Good luck. ☘️

Poppingmad123 · 12/01/2022 19:13

Really interesting post! I thought it was just me. I was convinced I’m either depressed, have some brain retarding issue & needed to see the GP. But what is the answer? I can’t yet afford to retire, young family, been wfh throughout the pandemic, put on 2+ stone, feel dread every time I sit in front of my screen! I know fresh air, a walk outside would probably help as well as exercise. But even that takes motivation for me. So not only do I need ideas to help with this but ideas for motivation too! I sound a dead cause don’t I?? 😩

maybloss2 · 12/01/2022 19:14

Hi peeps. I’m older than you lot, but I’ve only ever seen work as a means of earning enough money to pay bills etc. I’ve tried to do work that is rewarding(most of my early working life I was teaching) I am not lazy though -I work really hard. I was a sahm during my mid twenties, so didn’t feel real work burnout, age wise a bit later than you guys. But I think it is just that-burn out. Lockdown and lack of fun fiz& spontaneity makes life dull too and this IMO is why it’s now you’re all feeling it. I made a plan to go p/t and self employed the rest of the time, but could only do that once my kids had left home. I can fill any amount of time doing stuff I really enjoy. At the mo I miss not seeing my friends n family as often& that’s lowering my spirits after so long with some kind of covid restriction. Xxxxxxx

ethelredonagoodday · 12/01/2022 19:17

Yep definitely. Spent the last year drifting along. Just got zero motivation. None at all.

Jaxxy · 12/01/2022 19:20

@haribofiend

I don’t think it’s the job. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do (except lounge about reading, taking long walks, shopping etc etc! Blush ) I just don’t get the same satisfaction from work any more.

Actually, I have been working from home since 2020. Maybe that’s it. Problem is though that I will likely be working from home for the foreseeable now, so 😬

There is a definite link to the dynamic of wfh long term, whilst everyone sees the immediate benefits of saving time on commute, saving money, there is a huge missing piece about the energy of getting your butt out the door, the stoical side of interacting with people we work and after work, and even the competitiveness of seeing others in action and you upping your game.

I honestly would think about changing job, to give yourself a fresh challenge, making sure it has a better dynamic.

My worry for you OP is that your current inertia slowly moves into a deeper depression that could be a really horrible downward spiral.

On a positive, you’ve send identified that there is an issue and can therefore do something about it.