So unhappy - Please give me positive experiences!

[NoIdeaWhatImDoing3]

Hi everyone,

I left school just before I finished A Levels and got accepted into an apprenticeship for Accountacy (AAT). Spent 5 years training in accounts/tax advice but also became a single parent in that time to a now toddler.

I had a strong academic background before leaving school and coped well with my tax exams but I have struggled massively with my mental health. I left the accountancy field as was extremely unhappy and went into office admin, thinking a simpler life would suit me better as I have a diagnosed personality disorder. But I’m now equally as unhappy and barely on above minimum wage!

I need to retrain. I had high prospects and unhappy to remain in my current position. Has anyone retrained and been happy? Anyone found they have hated it just as much? i am mid 20s and would prefer to do it sooner rather than later. I don’t have a lot of flexibility with the little one so preferably something part time but can study as much as required in own time.

I should add that the personality disorder means I struggle to know what I’m thinking sometimes so unsure what I would even enjoy at this point!

You say you didn’t enjoy your accounting job, but perhaps consider a similar role for a different company? I am an accountant, towards the end of my training I was very unhappy and promised myself I would not allow that to happen again. I moved to a new job with 16 people, we were acquired 2 years later, and subsequently acquired again. My role is a world away from where I started, but I have never been unhappy like during my training. I’ve been with this job (various roles) for 27 years.

for what it is worth, I have also mentored unhappy staff to move to other roles

Do you not want accountancy type work full stop? Otherwise, being self employed doing book keeping from home might be an option so you can work the hours you want.