AIBU to think I'm making a mistake leaving my job

[aimskayjay]

I handed in my notice 2 weeks ago after much angsting over the decision but I'm starting to feel like I'm blowing up my life and routine over nothing. AIBU? Is it normal to feel like that or is it a sign I've made a mistake?

The pay isn't much more and I expect it to be much busier but my rationale was I'll have more opportunity to build my skills and will be working somewhere where keeping on top of what's happening in the sector and making contacts will be easier. I was thinking it gives more options in future then if I need to switch roles.

However my current role is fairly chilled, and I like the workplace and my colleagues. I'm losing the job security I'd built up there, throwing myself into something new that might not work out (bad for me financially) and I'm finding it hard to remember why! I've also been wanting to switch careers but so far I've not hit on any good/do-able alternatives, so I'm conflicted about that as well.

Suddenly the issues I had with feeling sidelined, ignored and not fully trusted by my manager and seeing a lack of direction and future for myself don't seem like the big deal I was making them out to be 😅

Would your workplace even allow you to rescind your notice now? I’ve known really good people who have changed their mind and their employers haven’t allowed this. It might be that the decision is made for you so there is no point worrying about it.

I think they might but it would obviously be really awkward now everyone knows. I know the best option is to consider it irreversible and just get on with it. I think I'm just having a panic today. I've always had really clear reasons for moving to another job that meant the new offer was the obvious/only choice. This time it could have gone either way and its throwing me a bit.

Have a word with your boss and find out where the land lies.

I have had a few staff change their minds after giving notice. On some occasions, I have allowed them to withdraw it, on others I have told them that it's too late.

If you're respected in your current workplace, good and what you do and not usually a pain in the arse, they might be more than happy to keep you. If they're glad to get you out of the door for some reason, or if they think that you just won't be committed to them as an employer, then they might say that you can't take it back. You won't know if you don't ask.

Think carefully before you talk to them, though. Do you genuinely want to stay where you are or are you just a bit apprehensive about the change/struggling with fear of the unknown vs staying in your comfort zone? How is it that the issues which caused you to look elsewhere seem not to matter that much any more? Are you sure that, if you stay, you won't regret having taken the other role? Make sure that you're really clear about what you want before talking to anyone else.

How long have you been in your current role? I got a new job after 7 years in my previous role and it was terrifying- but 2 years on and it was definitely the best decision.
All the things that led me to leave the old job are still happening. I think I would have got completely burnt out if I had stayed.

If you change your mind and stay, you won't be turning the clock back. You have revealed yourself as not committed to the job, and as indecisive. So when you're weighing up your two options, compare the new job with the new version of your old job.

You took this new job for a reason. You went with your gut. You’re stepping out of your comfort zone and into something new, that feels uncomfortable and even scary sometimes to begin with. But, nothing changes if you don’t and you decided to make a change. So stick with your decision and good luck in your new job (:

This is so normal. But you’ve applied for the job for a reason x