To just not know what I want

[ILoveMonday]

I've been in my current job for nearly 4 years now. The first 3 years, I was really happy. I had changed careers, post-children, and my job felt like a really good fit. The woman I used to work for was really nice - encouraging and pushed me forward. When she left, another woman took over and I started planning my next steps - basically doing a masters. I figured I don't want to be 60 doing my current job as it's really intense. I've also now spent enough time with this new woman to know I can't make it work anymore - she's a nightmare - chaotic, didactic and divisive between the staff.

I decided against doing a masters because the foundation course was so overwhelming I couldn't imagine doing it as a job.

I'm now at a point of thinking what do I do? I had a plan and it wasn't what I wanted? In some ways I feel at loose end, careerwise. I could look for a new job doing the same thing as now but I feel a bit broken from the past year and I know I've lost confidence from the toxic environment. In the past when I've felt like this, I've just handed my notice in - I've always managed to find a job but I'm a bit nervous about doing this, with the cost of living crisis. Any help, needed and much appreciated.

If you hand in your notice because you're at your wits end, would you have enough in savings to carry you for a while?
You don't say anything about your skills, background, industry and experience so it's hard to advise on a practical level but what I will say is that leaving a toxic environment is a brilliant thing to do not least for your sanity. But please, don't jump from the pot into the fire as you say given cost of living increase you wouldn't want to find yourself with absolutely no income. One of the best ways to start feeling in control is to take apart your CV and think critically about what you can reasonably do next. Now more than ever before there's access to so much information about all sorts of fields.

I would have enough in savings to live an okay lifestyprand I could supplement with some temping / contract work.

I work in education - I have a degree and I've done loads of CPD. I think it's just the feeling that I want a different environment. I think you're right - that I need to start with my CV. In terms of skills, I think I'm quite strong - I like people and have the ability to rub along with most people but also have the ability to really concentrate on problem solving.