I exited a terrible senior public sector job in spring last year. I ended up taking sick leave to recover - the first time I'd taken time off in 20 years. For context this happened after a pretty turbulent year; my dad died the year before (and my old job weren't particularly supportive) but prior to 2025 I had a strong track record of promotions and working at various institutions. I also had confidence that I would find something fast. Mumsnet, I was so wrong! I'm now completely disillusioned.
I experienced more job rejections (from the public sector mainly) over the spring/summer than I've had hot dinners. So i applied for the emergency services and am now in the final stages of the vetting process for my new career - something that had always interested me. but gawd it's taken SO long. The longer the time goes on, the more confidence I lose and start to doubt making the change - even though i know I had totally burmed out in the public sector to the extent I was becoming bitter.
Whilst I've been fortunate to live off savings and a small inheritance I'm scared that I've fallen off the bandwagon and that i'm basically useless to employers now! Plus my training doesn't start until march, so whilst it's a short timeframe, I'm wondering how i top up my confidence, esepcially when going into something that's going to pay me considerably less in the short term, but hopefully be worth the sacrifice!
I can't bring myself to fill in this inbetween period with more empty applications or applications to organisations that i don't fully believe in. the thought of attending another away day or money-burning initative for the sake of 'having a job' fills me with dread and frankly, i'm worried i'm getting depressed. going to the job centre each fortnight feels like a gut punch (shocker: they are absolutely not helpful) and I sometimes feel depressed that i've gone from a high flyer to this. i keep v active and well, but even my voluntary commitments are starting to feel like an effort.
i have no kids btw and no plans to have any. mid 30s in case that's helpful. i figured there must be other smart women on here who have come back from similar periods of time off. can i please have your perspectives?