To absolutely HATE corporate life/work?

[FishOnTheTrain]

Humans were never meant to work as much as they do. I feel totally trapped in the constant cycle of waking up, going to work, rinse and repeat. It’s so so so boring and I don’t feel I’m living any kind of interesting life.

I work to buy all this crap I don’t need. And to impress people I don’t care about with said crap I don’t need.

the corporate lingo really makes me
cringe. The way we sit in a grey office all day with no natural light looking at a screen. It’s just awful and so unhealthy. The way we feel anxious in meetings.

anyone else? I would love to start my own business one day but need money behind me to do that. Problem is, I’m so unfulfilled that I keep spending my spare money on STUFF just to feel something.

and I do realise how, on paper, lucky I am to have a job and an income. I am truly, truly grateful for that. But my physical and mental health is suffering.

Why did you choose this job? Not all jobs are pointless. My work is fufilling as it helps and protects people and suppports the development of services they really need. There is a lot of things you can do between being a soiless corpoate drone and running a beach cafe.

Someone else has already suggested it, but would reducing your working hours be an option? A couple of years ago I dropped to 4 days a week and it has made the world of difference. My day off a week is to do stuff just for me and as far away from my computer as possible.

Do you have any hobbies you could throw yourself into in the evening instead of online shopping?

I’ve never understood the appeal of the corporate world and sitting in an office all day - it sound utterly soul-destroying.

You can change this - I work outdoors (dog walker) and it’s the best decision I ever made in terms of my mental and physical health.

Yes, humans have made the most appalling society for themselves. But it's like a runaway train that's hard to stop.
Working 5 days. Long commutes on top. Massive mortgages- humans and banks/ corporations exploiting other humans with interest rates. Ever rising cost of living. Consumerism. All of it can be pointless and soulless. You can have a purpose and satisfaction in your work but it's very easy to lose that in the daily grind.
You need to consciously appreciate the small things in life and actively look for the small ways to find happiness. (I absolutely love PP's idea of Wednesday afternoons off.) Break your shopping habit by doing something different. Save that money and plan for things that excite you and give you something to look forward to.

Yes hate hate hate it. Hate my job and every job ive ever worked. Im normally fine for the first 6 months and then the dread kicks in.

I’m done with it too but they pay me extremely well to put up with the shit. I try and look at all it’s given me though. I’ve been able to put my DD16 through private school which she needed for SEN. Been able to buy a nice house. All as a lone parent. I just think at 53 I’m too old for the bullshit.

Any suggestions on grant schemes for new business please?

I was you 16 years ago. Was 33 with a 3 year old who I had no help with. Dropped the 9-5 and started my own business which was great for honestly about 8 years, the last 7 were a drag. I stuck it out for 15 years and went back to the 9-5 corporate law firm. It’s so much easier, paid holidays, paid overtime, paid sick leave, no weekend work, mostly no nights, lower stress. I wish I’d come back 5 years ago to be honest. Just saying the other side of the coin isn’t always shinier.

Women had to fight for the right to be able to sit in that dull gray office.

To work full time.

To speak the corporate language.

It's supposed to be empowering, not something you hate.

Are you suggesting it should be up to someone else to earn the money?

I was you 16 years ago. Was 33 with a 3 year old who I had no help with. Dropped the 9-5 and started my own business which was great for honestly about 8 years, the last 7 were a drag. I stuck it out for 15 years sold it for a decent profit to one of the long term staff and went back to the 9-5 corporate law firm. It’s so much easier, paid holidays, paid overtime, paid sick leave, no weekend work, mostly no nights, lower stress. I wish I’d come back 5 years ago to be honest. Just saying the other side of the coin isn’t always shinier.

YANBU. I was lucky enough to be able to retire 6 years ago at the age of 58 on a voluntary early severance package, after best part of 40 years of full time working with no breaks. Best thing I ever did.

Corporate life can be rubbish but I expect customer service (shop and cafe work) would be much harder.

It’s interesting that people often have the dream of opening a cafe but not of just working in an existing one.

Exactly. It’s not Grey Corporate Life or nothing. You chose this, OP, and you’re continuing to choose it, but you’re generalising as though everyone else is trapped in your cycle. My professional life isn’t at all like this. I write novels and teach on a university creative writing programme, and I enjoy both parts. I probably earn a lot less than you, but I enjoy my working life. Think about your options.

I hated it. So now I work in the public sector doing a job that has real benefits to society.

I get paid less but certainly enough, have a great work life balance and I don't hate my job.

This is a version of my approach. I honestly LOATHE working. I am very good at my job (been doing it for over 20years) and I am very focussed and productive when I'm at work but I just think it's all so pointless. So my focus is overpaying mortgage, spending as little time there as I can afford at work (I have been part time for over 10 years and considering reducing hours more), prioritise my own time (don't do overtime and set very firm boundaries on days off etc), have hobbies I enjoy, spend time with people I love. Honestly - but less shit and save!

Also yes to the hilarity of thinking working in hospitality or outside means you will escape drudgery. Mr Monkey (parents ran a pub) and I (parents were tenant farmers) laugh drily when people talk about dreams of opening a pub or getting a small holding for a less stressful life.

If you’re buying so much stuff, then it’s fair to say you could be diverting this into savings and investments and eventually, freedom. I stopped viewing money as a way to buy stuff, now buy the bare minimum/second hand and squirrel away the rest to retire/ go part time early. I reckon I’ve got about 5 years left. I also ran out of space for stuff after my partner moved in, so imposing a strict one in/one out rule and selling loads on Vinted help with this. You can escape corporate hell, it just takes a while and a bit of determination.

Could I recommend a book? Again - I've posted quite a lot about it the last few days. How to do everything and be happy by Peter Jones. Not the one from dragons den. Changed my life.

i totally understand that there isn’t always the job flexibility people suppose and the bills do need to be paid

there are no businesses that put doing the right thing ahead of making a profit - because of they did they would be out of business

you are being utterly unreasonable however in spending your “ spare money just to feel something “

if you don’t like the system stop propping it up more than you have to to survive

find out what makes you happy that isn’t stuff - take up painting, join a band, run..anything that you can easily afford and isn’t supporting consumerism

fhen work out what money you need- can you drop hours, change jobs, or save to retire very early or start that business

there is no point doing that till you know what actually makes you happy and if you keep wasting your money for a hit now you will always be in this state and it’s your choice - unlike many who don’t have the choices

Shift your dopamine away from buying. Create a savings pot in Monzo or whatever your bank does that’s the equivalent. Call it something meaningful. Every time you want to drop £20 on Amazon crap, put it in there instead.

The fulfilment you get from seeing the post grow may be worth as much as the actual money!

I have a corporate job and just love it. I love the stress and pressure and get a thrill from beating a tight deadline. I save a lot of money and get a buzz from checking my savings and investments daily. I actually get bored on days off work.

Seriously, in the short term start saving as much as you can to shave off the number if years you have to work. I am really focusing on saving for retirement now and cannot believe how much money I used to waste. That way the job is working for future you. I don't know how old you are, but in the longer term if it is really making you miserable then start thinking about how to move out of it. Life is too short

Investigate the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early) or at least have some savings/escape plan so you can work in a more fulfilling job in the future even if it's less well paid. Also, all offices are not the same so maybe you need to move to a job which has more relevance for your interests. Have a no buy week and put the money you've saved into a savings account. I hate offices too and got out to run my own business a long time ago but it's not for everyone.

I would highly recommend trying to drop a day a week if you can afford it and your workplace allows. Or look for 4 day a week jobs.

Even if it means cutting down on spending, your time is worth so much more than buying stuff.

Having an extra day a week to look forward to, a shorter work week and more time to do things you enjoy, definitely gives more balance to your life.

Plus it may not cost you that much when you take into account less tax paid and less commuting/ lunch costs.

I've been a SAHM most of my life.

But DS likes his job. He works in energy consulting and loves renewables.