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Finding contentment when you can't find it in work

3 replies

auberginefortea · 14/09/2023 06:49

Looking for some advice and help. I live with my wife and two children overseas (Asia), and realistically, we have to stay here for at least two years and no more than three. We are here with my wife's job.

Because of the various constraints on working, I have some reliable remote work - it pays ok, it is related to my experience, and looks ok on the outside. However, on the inside, it frustrates me - I have little ownership over my work, I respond to the whims of several managers to whom I report, it is socially isolating, I don't feel part of a team, and there's no progress. Because it's a little fragmented, I feel it doesn't add to my core skills or experience (much - although of course, one can learn something every day in some way or another).

My problem is this weighs on my mind every day - that my work is frustrating, that I'm not getting anywhere, and I dream of being able to get a 'normal job'. I can't moan about it too much, as it can be draining for my wife, but my head is full of thoughts of boredom and frustration.

If we were to leave it would harm my wife's career, which gives us a good income, and I want to support her career.

To balance this out, I go to the gym, I read and listen to podcasts, we meet friends occasionally, and of course, our two children are wonderful.

Is there any advice on how to find a way out of these doldrums, without the obvious - to jack it all in and bring the family home and we look for work in the UK? How would you deal with this situation?

OP posts:
catalie · 14/09/2023 22:48

Can you look at development opportunities yourself within your role or do other training so you feel like you're progressing too?

auberginefortea · 15/09/2023 08:12

Thanks. I think there are some courses I can find outside my organisation as my organization has a little bit of a weird 'caste' system. You're either full time staff with regular reviews and opportunities for promotion, or you're on a short-term contract with no benefits. I'm in the latter group. I can continue to read material (e.g. papers, reports), but I would like to find something where I don't feel so aimless doing it.

OP posts:
ReturnfromtheStars · 15/09/2023 08:27

Can you look for work locally at an international firm in English or are there restrictions?

I live in another country in Europe and my boss doesn't speak the local language, we communicate in English. We work for an international company. Sorry no experience about Asia though.

Or at least another remote job? Of course those are hard to come by, but at least you can keep looking.

It does sound frustrating and we spend so much time at work.

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