Have you ever left a job you liked for one you hate?

[alwaysgotcold]

That's basically what I've done. I changed jobs as it was more sociable hours, but it's making me miserable to the point I feel almost depressed. I miss my old work mates. The ease of the job. It was even more money.
I can't go back and I can't find a new job.. so I'm stuck in the miserable limbo.

Have you ever been in a similar position?

Yes, but I was lucky that they had not filled my old job, and was back there within 1 month.
Good luck, OP, I hope you get out of there quickly

Yep, moved department to go up a grade (civil service). Hated every minute and loved my old job. Although it’s technically a promotion I’ve felt I have less responsibility and the whole place is a shambles. I’ve hung it out for 18 months and starting a new role with another promotion in the new year.

I don’t regret it in some ways as it’s enabled me to move up faster but I really have nothing positive to say about current role.

Yes I spent 4 years doing a degree, landed my dream job which I loved them had to give it up after a year because my ex wouldn’t help with childcare. Now I walk dogs for a living and I absolutely hate it but it’s the only way I can earn money around my kids when I have such limited childcare options. I dread every single working day and it’s making me extremely depressed.

Yes I did, it was more or less the same job for a bit more money so it was a case of the people and culture making or breaking the experience.

I joined the new job just before Covid and decided to stick it out as long as we were all working from home… then we just never went back to the office and I got complacent! Finally left after 3 years to a job I’m much happier in.

I loved my old job but management changed the person who got the job was intolerable. I've moved to a job where I don't love the actual role but management are supportive and fair. I think I will move on again before too long.

Yes! Quit a job to take up a role at a more prestigious company. I handed my notice in after two months because it was so awful there, and returned to my old role as my position hadn't been filled and I'd left on good terms.

Speak to your old company in case they have any openings in the near future.
Keep looking for a job, something will turn up soon.
Are there any aspects of the new job you can change to make it more bearable? Easy to say but try to completely switch off and not think about work on your days off.
I have had a couple of jobs that didn't work out, it's a gamble.
But well done for trying something new, now be open to different roles in order to move on, don't worry about your cv, if it's just a few months, maybe leave it off completely, I did!

My old place did offer me a job back, but all they had available was weekends which isn't ideal so I said I'd leave it for the time being, kind of ruining my chances of going back it's literally all I think about on my days off, how much I hate it and how I can get out. I'm unwell all the time lately with various viruses and I'm sure it's from the stress x

Yes: many years ago I left a job I loved and was good at because I was offered another job which on paper was "better" from a career progression point of view. It was an utter nightmare; I was bullied by management and hated my colleagues. I became very unhappy.

I stuck it out for a miserable year and luckily found something else.

It taught me a valuable lesson never to take a job purely because of what it looks like on your CV. Career progression is important but there are many ways to skin a cat and if you can show determination and application in a less prestigious role which will make you happier you should take that road.

Yes. It was awful. I put on two stone, was very very depressed and had a dreadful time. Found something else after 6 months and I’ve been there 8 years very very happily.

Oh yes OP, I gave up my nice NHS job I'd been at for 20 years to go private.
not only was the money very variable, some months good other months I could barely cover the bills, but I appeared to be working for a family of complete nutcases and sociopaths who made my life a misery. trying to find another job was a nightmare and going back to the NHS at that time was impossible as they had a recruiting freeze.
I could have kicked myself all the way down the road for being so stupid.
i had to move cross country and sell my house to find another similar job. I've learned my lesson and I'm here until retirement now.

I think the answer is to not go back to the old job.

you left for a reason, and what they are offering you is worse than your previous role. I think going back would be more depressing.

Find a new role. Is there something you can get out of this current job in terms of experience?