Unhappy in my job but feel stuck

[turtledovelove]

I know there is no hard and fast resolution to my situation but perhaps I just need a sounding board to air how I'm feeling.

I've been with the same organisation for coming up to 5 years. I love my colleagues. I love the ethos behind what we do and stand for. It's a supportive company to its staff. However I am desperately unhappy in the role that I do. I moved roles approx a year ago as I was wanting a new challenge.

That challenge has certainly lived up to its name and I really do not enjoy the job. It makes me unhappy and I personally feel it does not play to my strengths. Neither does it allow me to thrive in the role. I find it stressful and not what I want to do in the slightest.

The problem I have is my place of work is very local. My hours fit around family life. They are flexible when I need to take time off for the children. I can WFH when and if necessary.

I guess my question is do I give all of that up for the sake of being unhappy in the actual job itself? I have spent the last year looking at other jobs. I've had interviews and even a couple of job offers however I seem to talk myself out of them. To a certain extent I feel stuck in a comfort zone whereby I'm scared to try something new in case it doesn't work out.

I wish I could hand in my notice now and give myself some time to find a new job that is right for me. Sadly I can't afford to not be working.

Has anyone been in the same boat at all and can relate? I would really love to hear other experiences.

I was in the same position. I liked my team, and the annual leave was great (it was a HE institution so always had Christmas off etc), but absolutely loathed the job. I stuck it out for over 4 years, but it was starting to affect my mental health and so I decided to start applying for other jobs in the autumn last year. It's taken a while but I'm starting a new job in the civil service on Monday. I left my old job on Friday, and felt nothing but relief. Honestly don't stay in a job that makes you unhappy, it's not worth the effect it will have on your health. There's so many jobs out there at the moment, there will be something else that suits you.

Can you talk to Har and managers above you and explain that you’re not enjoying the role and would like to remain with the company in a role which plays to your strengths. Bat the issue upwards and see if they have any ideas

Definitely sound out other opportunities within the company if you are happy in general working there. If that’s a dead end then keep looking, keep attending interviews and maybe something will spark. Life is too short to spend it in a job that doesn’t make you happy (most of the time!)