AIBU to have ‘gone off’ working?

[haribofiend]

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 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?

Oh I can’t wait to retire and I’m only 38. It just sounds glorious 🥳 MIL is retiring next month and I’m pleased for her but secretly jealous!

I'm the same, wfh since lockdown began. I even changed job to another team to see if that would help, but it hasn't.

I'm 51 and pre lockdown never entertained much thought about earl retirement as I got a lot from going into the office - self actualisation, talking to other people, being useful- now it's all I really think about.

God I feel the same. I've hated my job a.long time it just fits round the kids akd I'm.unemployable anywhere else so I stay.

Literally the only "perk" I enjoyed was that I got to meet people and have adult conversation.

Now hours have been cut to the point there's only an hour or 2 crossover between staff and that's taken up witg taking lunchbreaks so we now spend large amounts of time on our own.

I can talk to some.of the customers but it's not the same.

I can go days without a meaningful conversation with another adult. And if I'm working its evening so I don't see much if the kids either as they are at school then I'm.gone when they are home.

I'm only part time though so it could be worse. Much worse. But the one day we could all sit and chill and spend together as a family without any other commitments or errands to run, a Sunday, I.work all.afternoon/evening.

I hate it.

I changed career in my early 30s, from logistics to the heritage sector. I have a lovely job now, working at a historic property with a lovely team. I’ll never earn the mumsnet ‘six figure salary’ and will not be able to retire early, but at least I don’t wake up every day dreading work.
Of course I’d rather not be working, but I like having the money to travel (when we can) and the stability for my kids of a decent home and income.
If you HAVE to work, like I do, then try and find something you love doing.
I had no furlough and only worked from home 3 days a week for 8 weeks and I hated it, so that might be a factor for some people too.

Joining in here. I never used to love work – it’s called work, not fun – but I found it a reasonably entertaining way to mark the day and earn my way. But GOD it’s a grind now. And I only do 4 days a week.

I’m going down to 3 days next month. But I’m filling that extra day to myself with work, but work that matters to me – writing. I would quite happily write daily, and even put up with some of those daily working hours being the associated writing admin (fucking European tax forms!) if the payoff was work = this thing I love. I’d even do it if I won the lottery, hence my dream for a modest win rather than a Euromillions nouveau megabucks one. So clearly it’s not work per se that’s the problem. It’s jobs.

I loathe having my hours decided for me, how I structure my day decided for me, no freedom, ENDLESS FUCKING MEETINGS, reports, KPIs, appraisals, yuck yuck yuck.

I think WFH has revealed what a joke most jobs are – when you remove the circuses and the pizzazz distraction of gossip, lunch, tea rounds, perks, office birthdays and cake, canteens, etc, all that’s left is pointlessness. Which doesn’t mean I want to go back to the office: hours spent commuting to do the thing I now know is pointless, when the smoke and mirrors of the occasional Colin the Caterpillar has been revealed? Nah.

What’s the solution? We can’t ALL win the lottery.

I am 47 and thought yesterday, it’s not to long to go until I am 65 and can stop working! I used to love working but I resent it now. I agree it is because of the lockdown. I used to be scared I would hate retirement but now all I can think about is bring it on. My motivation has really plummeted too.

My brother always says, “they don’t call it going to fun”. I have come to accept that even though I am much happier in my current job than previous roles, I would always rather potter about my house

I always worked for myself until the Covid merry go round happened I was really happy I had a beauty salon did house clearance as a hobby and a lucrative pet business all that stopped and I had to go to get a proper job Jesus god in heaven I wasn’t missing anything was I ? The pointless work I have done has been well - pointless. I have helped a few people as I won’t take no for an answer and have been a great advocate for less fortunate people but the team I am on now jeez I can’t stand it I go from meeting to meeting on zoom nothing gets sorted it’s insane

I have always felt like this. I like my job (nurse) but I love my leisure time far far more. The solution for me has been to do 3 longer days so I have more time off its absolutely bloody lovely. I have had to cut my cloth financially but its well worth having less money. Even on my 3 days I am counting down the hours until I can go home

Oh me too! Thing is I'm over 60 so I can really see the end being nigh which almost makes it worse! Might manage to go part time in the next year or two. The thought of doing this for another 5 years is awful though. So bored of it all!

I'm 31 and hate working. Or I hate working outside the home at least. I wish I could work from home but I'm not qualified in anything so no one will want me!

Oh, you are my people! I feel exactly like what you're all describing, but the feeling only really kicked in around November. There's a certain aspect of my job that I hate, but the thing I hate is actually the crux of the job, so after fifteen years of this job, it's just dawned on me that I essentially hate my job!

I also love travelling, thinking about booking something for february half-term, but the thought of the testing, mask wearing and the general hassle is so putting me off. Along with that, I've slowly discovered over the last year or two of lockdowns, that I actually quite like just mooching around the house, doing jigsaws, reading, watching TV etc, so travelling/holidays just seem a hassle compared to the enjoyment I can have staying at home.

Don't know what to do about my job - I think I've just got to keep plodding on with it. I'd love to return to a previous career but don't think I stand a chance of getting back into that now.

I think that's pretty normal.
We work to live right?

@Disneyblueeyes

I think that's pretty normal. We work to live right?

Yes, I don't think the OP's feelings are unusual. There are some people who genuinely love their job but I think the majority just tolerate it or make the best of it.

Same.
I’ve been feeling like the most laziest arse in the world.
I just want to sit in bed with scroll social media or watch shit on tv.

I’m not depressed.
I just can’t be arsed with anyone or anything.

Glad I’m. It the only one!

Senior job here, comfortable mumsmet six figure salary. Early 40s.

Omg the languishing is me. I had a conversation with DH about feeling so meh. I also prop my phone up near my camera and go on fb / insta during meetings.

I remember when Angry Birds was all the rage, I used to sneak off to meeting rooms to play it!

Mostly I really enjoy my area of work. I have shitty project at the moment so that is slowly busting my motivation. Two of my key team members have just quit (random personal reasons) and I’m feeling a bit stressed at how we will get this year done. Well I say stressed… yet…. I’m still in bed 25 mins before my first call.

I dream of pottering around, going to the gym, meeting friends for coffee, hanging out with the kids more…. But would still love to have a six figure salary.

Meh.

Oh I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Can you afford to go part time? Shorter days where you are focused and then switch off may help?

Yeah feeling the same here. I’m 43. Don’t think it’s helped that I worked like a maniac and was beasted in my 30’s, burnt out, took a step back and a less stressful job part time, and now just feel meh. No real motivation. Exhausted from 2 v small DC and can’t really fathom I’ve at least another 25 years of this!!!

My favourite quote atm is "I'm sooooo done working for a living" complete with hand on forehead and flouncy walk

I’ve pretty much always felt like this about work, it’s a means to an end for me. I have a reasonably interesting job, it’s been v stressful in the past but isn’t now, it’s well paid. It means I can have nice holidays, live in a nice house, but the job itself …. Meh.

I think peoples outlooks have changed over the past couple of years. Things that were so important then, like maybe your job, don’t hold as much significance now so you’re demotivated?
I left a job after first lockdown that was just going nowhere fast and was boring as hell (I loved my colleagues but the rest - meh), and now have a very different type of job which fits in more with my life and still brings in some extra money into the household (I appreciate I’m lucky in that I’m the second earner, but I’m just talking for myself here).

This is how me and my friends all feel too. We have all changed jobs and have had a bit more motivation but I definitely felt like I was still lacking something. I've taken up gardening which has helped, a bit.

@Gaxillion You’ve got the dream if you’ve got the six-figure salary and you can sneakily look at your phone in meetings! What do you do? (Without being outing.) Last year I had a decent salary and could read a book in between bouts of work, but it was maternity cover only. This year I’m on less money and it’s hard work. The best compromise for me would be your job

I just can't be arsed with it. My motivation isn't there and have to push myself every day.