Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have COMPLETELY lost my work mojo?

198 replies

backintothefire · 21/02/2022 09:54

I don't know what to do! I have completely lost all motivation for work these days and am really struggling to complete even the most basic tasks. I feel hugely resentful about work and dread Monday every week. Nothing about my work interests me or inspires me any more.

I used to love my job! But now every day is a slog and I hate it. I changed jobs a few months ago thinking it might re-invigorate me - NOPE! In fact now I feel even worse because it's clearly me that's the problem, not the job itself.

I honestly feel like I can't keep doing this. I've got 20+ years until retirement ffs. Anyone else feel the same? What's the solution?!

OP posts:
sofakingcool · 21/02/2022 09:56

Totally different career change?

Study something?

Take time out and go travelling?

GeneLovesJezebel · 21/02/2022 10:01

I used to love my job, but something changed and I now see it as something I have to do to pay the bills.
Perhaps concentrate on enjoying your out of work life, and see work as facilitating that.

Buzztothemoon · 21/02/2022 10:03

Feel the same tbh. Have a look at ‘burnout’ and see if any of that rings true…. Think there’s a lot of people struggling with it at the moment.

Original poster
backintothefire · 21/02/2022 10:04

Ha, sounds great but I'm late 40s and have mortgage / bills to pay and kids to put through uni - can't just take off round the world (although dh would love to!) or afford to re-train, unfortunately.

God I feel as if my life has ground to a halt. I feel so trapped in this stupid job, and as if I've made a huge mistake in leaving my last one (which I also thought I hated!!)

OP posts:
wildlifeobserver1 · 21/02/2022 10:04

I feel exactly the same. Have no motivation whatsoever, despite previously being a very driven person. I think it’s burn out (which unfortunately I can’t really address without taking an extended break from work which I cannot afford!).

Do you think that could be the case for you?

GeneLovesJezebel · 21/02/2022 10:05

Ah, late 40’s. It’s peri menopause.

Original poster
backintothefire · 21/02/2022 10:06

Oh I'm completely burnt-out @Buzztothemoon, I know that. My role has a pastoral aspect and every time someone comes to me with a problem or issue I just want to scream fuckofffuckofffuckofffuckoffffffffff at them Grin

OP posts:
Outnumbered99 · 21/02/2022 10:06

I think I am you OP, and I've just googled burnout and i'm sat here crying I have all the symptoms. No solutions, just a hand hold and you aren't on your own

Original poster
backintothefire · 21/02/2022 10:06

@GeneLovesJezebel

Ah, late 40’s. It’s peri menopause.
I'm actually starting HRT next week - will that help?? I'm desperate!
OP posts:
Original poster
backintothefire · 21/02/2022 10:08

Thank you @Outnumbered99, it's shite isn't it? I feel so sad about it. I know I need to pull up my big-girl pants and just crack on but I feel as if this job saps the life from me.

OP posts:
Scottishflower65 · 21/02/2022 10:08

Agree - sounds like burnout. Geneloves is correct in that short of a complete change (which may not be feasible and may not solve the problem anyway), you need to change your mindset to accept that a job is a means to facilitate the other more enjoyable parts of life. It might help if you could compress into 4 days?

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 21/02/2022 10:10

I could have written your post, OP. Just cannot be arsed any more. It's such a slog. I'd like to snap out of it but can't quite find the way yet.....

stormstormgoaway · 21/02/2022 10:10

Same here. Waiting to start new job, hoping I won't discover the problem is just me! I do think doing the same kind of job for years or decades is exhausting. We need a bit of variety so our brains don't fossilise. Kids get to learn and do new stuff every year, why should that grind to a halt? Not sure what the solution is as obviously it's the money that tends to trap us in our ruts. I do sometimes wonder about taking a completely different low paid job with more personal interaction and less existential angst and stress.

Original poster
backintothefire · 21/02/2022 10:10

I already do 4 days I cut down from full-time as I thought I needed more time to myself. What's happened is that because I have years of experience, my new role has just piled shitloads onto me and most weeks I work 5 days anyway.

OP posts:
Scottishflower65 · 21/02/2022 10:10

HRT helps me a lot but not for this aspect.

Original poster
backintothefire · 21/02/2022 10:12

I do sometimes wonder about taking a completely different low paid job with more personal interaction and less existential angst and stress

I've thought this too, but am terrified about the possibility of not having enough money to pay the bills.

OP posts:
Parsley1234 · 21/02/2022 10:13

I’ve been signed off last week with burnout and PTSD I am completely fucked no energy no motivation no joy no nothing. I lost 3 businesses in Covid that I was happy doing now jeez I’m so so lost I just am existing there’s a lot of us out there - I was in a thread a few weeks ago about the very same. I am hoping by having an extended period off riding walking gym etc and planning a new air babd b business my joy will come back

HollyBollyBooBoo · 21/02/2022 10:14

Totally emphasise and HRT has not been the silver bullet for this issue for me.

I've had to have a real chat with myself, this is life, I need the money as there is no one else to pay the bills. I've started making more of an effort because I was getting v lazy and I do not want to start getting that reputation at work!

I've focused on the good things - what the money allows my daughter and I to do, I've made sure there is something planned and fun to look forward to each weekend and school holiday - doesn't have to cost loads.

Also started exercising in the evening instead of sitting on my fat arse eating to make it even fatter. A combo of HIIT and yoga just off You Tube vids.

Arnia · 21/02/2022 10:16

I felt/feel that. I used to be so ambitious and materialistic but since having my DC it's all evaporated. Working my arse off in some corporate hell hole now seems so daft and pointless to me. Unless you work for yourself doing something you truly love or a job that really using your creative talents then I don't see the point in being enthusiastic about a job - they're mostly shite with nonsense codes and daft politics. I don't think I'll ever work for someone again unless I absolutely have to financially. I realise that's not a solution for everyone but if you really can't work for yourself/cut back your hours then start planning for the time when you can and try and see if you can make it happen sooner. Then just put your head down and get through it without taking any of it too seriously!

Wilkolampshade · 21/02/2022 10:17

Agree with @Scottishflower65, HRT great for my physical symptoms and anxiety but not the 'oh God I. JUst. Can't. feeling.
Totally recognise the fuckofffuckofffuckofffff feeling. My poor adult DD started on at me about feeling low the other day and I just burst into tears with a kind of exhausted frustration as I just don' t feel I have Anything left to give. Bless her. Flowers

Scottishflower65 · 21/02/2022 10:19

Exercise is very important and not only for for its physical benefits - it really helps mental health which in turn makes it a little easier to cope.

Cityzen74 · 21/02/2022 10:19

I feel exactly the same as you. I am 47 and have a job I usually enjoy a lot but cannot motivate myself at all (in any part of my life but especially work). Feel as though it could be peri menopause. You have all my sympathies. I have a 4 year old and am pretty tired with it too so perhaps that is adding to my lack of motivation.

Parsley1234 · 21/02/2022 10:22

@Scottishflower65 I wish I cd find the motivation I do get out with my horse and dog and feel better for it but the effort. Hrt just caused me to gain a stone that’s not helping my motivation either jeez it seems like all I do is moan

Original poster
backintothefire · 21/02/2022 10:23

I'm sorry to hear so many people are feeling the same (although sort of comforted that it's not just me).

I don't know if I can do the 'focus on the positives' thing. I am usually a glass-half-full person but work is such a huge part of our lives that I don't feel I can go through the motions and just focus on eg: the money at the end of the month. Also, my job is supposed to be 'useful' and 'important' so if I don't take it seriously it does have some repercussions.

Sorry, I'm just having a bit of a rant really. All your comments are really helpful. I need to make some scary decisions I think. Aargh.

OP posts:
Yazoop · 21/02/2022 10:24

I’m the same (in my thirties - so even longer to retirement!). I think fatigue from Covid and a general malaise of “what is this all for?” has hit quite a lot of people… all while being surrounded by depressing wider news. It feels like the world is a very intense place and work seems a bit futile, if that makes sense? Or maybe that’s just me!