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Original poster

Anyone lost interest in their career

96 replies

kizzie · 06/01/2004 18:54

Hi everyone
Ive always been ambitious, loved my job and been lucky to carry on working part time in a fairly senior position after my children were born.

They are four now but recently I really seem to have lost interest in my job.

I suffered from PND which I got over although Ive had a difficult time recently because unfortunately I became addicted to seroxat and have been trying to come off for 2 years.

Anyway only reason to mention that is because Ive carried on working throughout yet recently its really starting to get to me.

Im finding the work load more and more demanding and increasingly resent the extra work I need to do at home. i have fewer ideas while im there and find the every day problems that crop up really irritating.

Not sure if its linked with the PND or whether after working somewhere for 10 years Ive just got bored (or that as a mum Im simply just not as interested in it anymore.)

Anyone else felt similar?
Kizziex

OP posts:
popsycal · 06/01/2004 18:59

yes yes yes
me too

Hulababy · 06/01/2004 18:59

Yes

Kayleigh · 06/01/2004 19:04

career ? What's one of them then ? Oh, i remember, it's what I had before I had children. Now it's just a job

popsycal · 06/01/2004 19:05

i echo exactly what kayleigh just said!

BadHair · 06/01/2004 19:08

Oh yes indeedy. You have my complete sympathy. Although I don't have a particularly senior position, I am expected to be 150% committed, but with small children I just can't offer that committment.
I'm still at work now (do full-time but weird hours including weekends to fit around childcare)but would much rather be at home bathing the kids than sitting here researching boring HE-related websites.

BadHair · 06/01/2004 19:08

Kayleigh is exactly right! Sorry posts crossed.

sibble · 06/01/2004 19:09

Don't ahve an answer kizzie except to say I felt exactly the same about a year after DS was born. I had been a workaholic (went back when DS was 6 weeks and he used to sleep in the corner of my office). I had worked really hard to get a senior position but when DS was 2.5, after 8 years I left. I just wasn't interested any more. I have had a p/t job but am now a SAHM. I am sure I will get back on the work ladder at some stage and am lucky that my salary (although helpful) is not essential - we moved to NZ - but for now I am happy. Maybe having a child changes your priorities. I am planning on doing an MBA while at home at some stage (was always to busy when wokring) to keep the grey cells ticking.
I hope you find a solution - have you thought of seeing a career advisor type person to see if you need a change or a break or can you take a short career break.
Good luck

bossykate · 06/01/2004 19:16

yes yes yes

Original poster
kizzie · 06/01/2004 19:29

Oh my goodness!! Didnt except such a quick response from so many people.
Guess its not only me then!
Feel better already knowing Im not the only one.
Kizziex

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 06/01/2004 19:46

No kizzie, I am still as driven and motivated by my career as I ever was..... NOT!

Quite frankly I couldn't give a toss about it any more! If it wasn't for the dosh I'd jack it in tomorrow!

CountessDracula · 06/01/2004 19:47

You should change the title to Anyone not lost interest in their careers. Bet you get no answers!

prufrock · 06/01/2004 19:49

Totally
Still at work at the moment (having a quick meal break) and really don't want to be. But it's not just the hours, I really can't be bothered anymore with all the things that used to seem so important.

Slink · 06/01/2004 19:50

Yep me too, i had a good job Manager worked with young people very challenging, then had DD2,7yrs and thought why do i put myself in the fireing line so i have been off for ONE YR. DD is full time in preschool and i am meant to be starting a home study course in Dip child development and education but think why???? but don't have a great interest just that the job needs to allow me to have all school hols off.(need to work mother in law lives with me

Original poster
kizzie · 06/01/2004 19:58

We definately need the money this year - not just a case of cutting out luxuries - so need to try and stick it out for bit longer but maybe after that I could think about moving on (or at least look at the options.)
Thanks for all the replies!
Kizziex

OP posts:
jasper · 06/01/2004 20:01

YES (shouting)

Tinker · 06/01/2004 20:05

I don't think I had any in the first place.

eidsvold · 06/01/2004 20:08

Hate it - but then I am so glad - leaving the country and so have 17 teaching weeks left - WOO HOO!!! when we get to Aus I will do anything other than teach - just feel stale and stressed. (that is with having dropped managerial responsibilities had prior to dd's birth)

handlemecarefully · 07/01/2004 08:30

Yes - joined this career path post graduation. Been in this line of work for 14 years now. Enjoyed it for the first 10 years but seriously jaded and disinterested now which has affected my work performance (if you don't care about something you don't do it well). Its obviously quite bad because when I am at work I resent having to log off mumsnet to do some work activity!!!

M2T · 07/01/2004 08:54

OOHHH YES!
I have always been very career minded and never had any inclination to be a SAHM after ds was born. But I do think that was due to my PND that I could simply ignore whilst at work.
Now I am pregnant with our 2nd and have spent a wonderful 2 weeks with ds I miss him so much and think why the F*ck am I doing this to myself everyday. I hate my job now due to the people here being total wankers and I have to travel 1.5hrs each way. It's killing me. DH doesn't really see how badly it's effecting me, even though I tell him straight.... so he doesn't seem to feel the need to chase up his promotion, earn a bit more money and take the pressure off of me for a while.

Sometimes I think "What will it take for him to do something about it??" "Will I have to have a nervous breakdown"??? He has NO will to further his career, yet he has the cheek to moan that it's wrong that I am the main breadwinner.

DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT THEN YOU PRAT!.... is what I feel like shouting to him.

Sorry.... not much help, but I do know how you feel.

dot1 · 07/01/2004 09:40

yes, definitely. I've got quite a responsible job and I'm the main (only at the moment) breadwinner, but my dream is to get a much more junior less responsible part-time job!! This won't be for many years, if ever, but it keeps me going.... I wouldn't want to be a full time SAHM - would drive me bonkers - but I've lost all incentive to make it right to the top - something I thought I wanted before ds came along. Now I'd be happy to go to work, do my bit and go home - maybe 3 days a week?! I hate the pressure of being in a management-y job - am quite happy managing dp at home!

Marina · 07/01/2004 09:42

Another yes here. I work in a public sector service environment and a little squeaky voice inside my head wants to say "So? Who gives a d*" every time one of my "clients" comes up wibbling away about something utterly trivial (= not related to my two nippers). I did NOT feel like this previously and my job is actually very interesting and worthwhile, she says sincerely. I do have lovely colleagues, though, and that is true.

Northerner · 07/01/2004 09:44

YES. I only work 3 days a week and today is my first day back after the festive perios and I so do not want to be here. I totally go through the motions. I have to rack my brains for good ideas that used to come so naturally. My work colleagues are simply that, and not girls I need to be friends with. I clock watch tyhe whole day waiting for 5 o'clock. I WANT TO BE AT HOME WITH MY BABY.

lailag · 07/01/2004 09:54

Well, I am, apart from a few hours every week, SAHM, not out of free will but unavailability of job. Spend half my life trying to get a decent job so I do resent staying at home. Although I admit I enjoy the time with ds and dd, especially as ds had a hard time in nursery when I went back to full time work after his birth..

Original poster
kizzie · 07/01/2004 11:03

Lailag - I know what you mean and I really feel like I should be grateful that ive got the job - but Im just not at the moment. (Hope you manage to find a suitable job locally!)

M2T - I think my situation is very similar to yours and in many ways I think my job helped to'save' me from my PND. I'd be hopeless as a SAHM but I think I've tied so much of my identity to my job that I probably wouldnt know who I was without it.

I know it's a bit 'psycho babble' but I think I probably need to look at my 'work/life balance'.

Probably also not helped that going through the whole list of withdrawal symptoms from finally trying to get off the AD's.

Anyway - really interesting to read all your opinions. Thanks for all the replies.
Kizziex

OP posts:
pupuce · 07/01/2004 11:09

Also lost interest - left high paid job in city and became a doula. it can be done ! ~And I am very happy with my decision

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