I hate my job but feel so trapped

[SeriousStuff]

I don't know what anyone else could really do or say to help but I'm so unhappy in my career and it's spiralling out of control. I work in PR (have my own company) and I hate it! I've been doing it for 12+ years and it's boring me to death. Most days, I start the day with a cry. I think it's making me depressed and bringing out anxiety symptoms. I have plenty to be getting on with but don't want to do any of it. Thing is, it pays well, I don't know what else I would do without either spending money on retraining, investing in a new biz or doing some unpaid work.

We've just bought a house so feel really trapped as we need the money now more than ever. Any experiences or advice much welcome.

Is it actually you hating the job and causing depression? Or the other way round and depression is making you hate the job? Are you getting any help for the doc for the anxiety and depression?

Thanks for a quick response! I'm on 10mg of citalopram which manages my condition (mainly anxiety) but it really is the job that's triggering the symptoms at the moment. Weekends are fine and the days I spend with my daughter are fine. I only work 3 full days and on those days, I just feel awful!

Is there any aspect of PR you enjoy? Event management? Speech Writing?Crisis management? Then cut down your job to the areas you enjoy,do you employ any staff? May be worth growing the business so you can take a step back?

Or sell up and use the money to start something or buy another business?

Any ideas about what you really want to do?

I enjoy writing, I hate dealing with people (pretty key skill really!)

Unfortunately, we're quite a small company so have to keep doing the day to day stuff for now. Could potentially grow the biz to then be in a position to do more of what I want but I just don't have the appetite for all the commitment that would require.

I love horses and have some equine qualifications but it's my hobby and main escape and worry that working with horses would ruin it for me. Plus the pay would be awful.

More and more I think I'd like to write but those opportunities are few and far between, especially to make a living from it. I've tried doing some writing in my spare time, but with a toddler and general malaise from my day to day job, I find it very hard to make any headway.

Are there any aspects of your job you could hand over? Something that gives you some time to yourself.

I'm coming through the other side - I ran a business while having two young children and also studying a degree! There were times I thought my head would explode and I would end up a snivelling wreck curled up on the floor!

But you have to get on with it. I was a SP so no one else was going to do it, but I had a plan, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and I could see it getting closer. Just a few more months to go

There's not much you can do now, but start taking steps towards your new life now. Give yourself two years, five years whatever, take a writing course with Birkbeck Uni or Open Uni. Handover some work so you get 2 hours a week/a day to yourself.

Can I recommend Yoga? I love it and it calms the mind!

Hi not sure whether DH is supportive, but take the leap....quit your job and throw yourself out there and see what happens. By being so unhappy you are not living and an unhappy life, is a wasted one

I agree with what Thru says especially re retraining and yoga. Yoga is excellent for calm and I wish I'd kept my 3.5 years worth up!

Also perhaps start hobbies/local interests, anything that takes your mind off your day to day Jon helps.

I stupidly joined a new company 5 months ago and rather than retrain as I'd planned almost immediately (well after 4-5 months) got down about the lack of work and company infighting and just left.... Ok,it gives me more time to job hunt but I wish I hadn't been quite so rash in leaving.