...to be thinking of a career change?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

I posted a similar post in another topic yesterday but got no responses so just seeing if anyone here thinks I'm mad or can offer any advice?

I just returned to work this week after being off on mat leave for just over a year. I was dreading going back, not just because I wouldn't see DS every day but because I have no desire to do my job anymore, my drive has gone, I have no interest in my area of work and there are some members of the team that I really don't like. I know I've just returned but if feel SOOOOO deskilled and lacking in confidence. My job involves being really up to speed with the latest research etc and I just don't have any motivation or drive. I work with so many others who IMO are fantastic at their job and I feel I'm totally crap and I'll be found out so to speak. I got through the year leading up to leaving by TTC and being PG and now I'm back I feel totally rubbish. Yes I may still be adjusting to being back at work but I do really think that it's just THIS work I don't want to do and I'm thinking life is way too short to be stuck in a profession that I don't like. It pays reasonably well though and I can therefore afford to just work 3 days now and I know that with other jobs I wouldn't necessarily be able to do that. DH keeps saying I should think myself lucky due to all the redundancies etc in the news, but I can't bear the thought of being here for ages. There is a particular woman I work with who is a total cow so maybe it's her who's also making me feel crap, she makes it obvious that she doesn't think I'm any good in comparison with my boss. I just wish I could do a totally different job.

Has anyone been in this position? Changed careers after baby? If so I'd love to hear from you.

Would you like another baby yet? Might get you through another couple of years there?

We'd absolutely love another baby but can't ake it for granted as DS is an IVF baby. We have some frozen embryos left so are going to try to use them maybe Feb next year so fingers crossed... I am really hoping that I do get PG again then I would prob just leave work for a few years due to childcare costs. It would be very tight but think we could get by hopefully.

I think that's making me sad too, wondering if that might have been the only time I'd be off on mat leave and the fact that DS is growing way too fast!

"I feel I'm totally crap and I'll be found out so to speak" - I can really identify with this sentiment, it's how I felt when I went back to work after DS last year, my confidence was really low. I wasn't crap at all tho, and I just had a really glowing appraisal (although just about to go on mat leave for 2 time, oops!). I'm sure you're v good at your job too

I went back to a different job with a new organisation, as I really couldn't face going back to old employer. It's been a really interesting 18 months and has proved to me that I can do it.

You need to think about what you really want to do, what are your reasons for working, how much do you 'need' to earn etc...

I go back in Feb after 13 months off on maternity leave,also on 3 days a week. DD is almost 10 months old, I do know what you mean.

Hi, i can relate to what you are saying as i felt the very same when i went back to work after mat leave.
My job involves high levels of concentration for long periods of time and bieng on the ball is essential.
I was exhausted as my baby didnt sleep through til he was 4. I had lost my get up and go that i was famous for, i was another person entirely.
This went on for about 3 years. I got good at plodding on.
I side stepped my job and went into teaching, same dept same staff etc and i have found new vigour.
I feel like "i" am back and absolutely love my job now.
I think that burn out and chronic exhaustion were key to my downfall.
I am not sure that i would have got any better in my old job even though i claimed to love it, i thought that i did.

I just kept my ear to the ground for new opportunities and this one came up, with much hesitation, i applied and it was the best thing that i could have done for myself.

You sound like you have made up your mind that you need a change, even 3 days a week can be miserable and can impact on every aspect of life. Maybe you need to start searching for an alternative or a side step like i did.