For those who work outside the home, do you LOVE what you do for a living? If so, how did you find the career/job that became that satisfying to you? If not, how do you manage spending so much time doing something that's less than satisfying?
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I love what I do, but there are so many little things/business that eventually overtake the parts that I do love to do.
I landed into this by blogging pretty much every day for the past 10 years... of course I never knew this is what I'd be doing 10 years ago!
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Definitely not. It is an office job in the legal field. I sit in a desk all day long, and have to make sure the phones are covered if I need to use the restroom. The job is fine, but the traffic is horrible, I spend a TON of money in gas and tolls (oh G-d, the TOLLS), and put lots of miles on my car commuting from the burbs to the city everyday.
Here's how I make light of it: My co-workers are great. I have a really generous, nice boss. I'm extremely valued in the company and constantly complimented on my work. I work 34-36 hours a week and always get paid for 40 (we close early every Friday) I have health insurance that I pay no premium out of pocket for. I work close enough to DH that we commute together, getting to spend quality, uninterrupted time together every day.
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I just emerged from 2 year process of self-reflection trying to find something that I liked better than my last career. So yes, I do love what I do (most days), but have come to the realization that it doesn't inherently make me happy. That's not a bad thing, because I *am* happy, but rather a reminder that we are happy because we choose to be, not because of our external circumstances. ie "when I get married, then I'll be happy", "when I get a new job, then I'll be happy", "when I get pregnant, then I'll be happy" - nope. Be happy first and those things will come.
ETA: To add to what highwire said, I agree the best way to cope with a job you don't like is seeing all the great things about it, if you can. Now that I'm in a job I like better, I realize how much I took for granted at my last job (shorter hours, amazing coworkers, etc). I wish I had appreciated those more while I had them!
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Yep, I absolutely love being a pre-k teacher. Its can be tough, but its so, so rewarding. I'm definitely not in this career for the pay, that's for sure!
I decided I wanted to teach when I shadowed in a kindergarten class as a senior in high school.
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I'm in a pretty similar boat as @highwire: . Doubt I'll be doing what I do now forever and the commute is a nightmare if I drive (even with public transit, it takes me almost an hour door to door). However, the company pays for all my health benefits and my manager is super flexible with scheduling. I'd love to work somewhere closer to home, but I know I'll miss the work flexibility I have now.
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@highwire: I like that you look at the positives!
@JoJoGirl: Good advice. I'm happy generally too -- just also really bored at work! -
I do (most days), finally, but it took me 10 years to get there. I worked many unsatisfying jobs and I just assumed that that's what working meant. About 3 1/2 years ago, I decided to go back to graduate school and study a field that always intrigued me, even though I knew it would be on the lower-paying side. I gave up a job (would never have been able to do this without the emotional/financial support of my husband) and became a full-time student again.
When I graduated last summer, it took me almost 6 months to find work but I found a job that "works" for me right now. It's not exactly what I envisioned dong with my degree, but it is extremely satisfying, in so many ways. There are days when it's not perfect, but in the grand scheme of things, I love it. I have a very long commute (1 1/2 hours each way!) and the pay is less than wonderful, but the job itself is very "me" and in work with some truly amazing people- that's worth more than the paycheck to me (most days!).
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@lilteacherbee: @Mrs. Bee: That's awesome. I'm jealous.
I think I know what would make me really satisfied, but it's not very stable and so may not be realistic.
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@Jumpingjacks: It is a lot easier to be positive knowing things are about to change completely with the baby on the way. I don't know if I'll continue working, work part-time, or stop all together. But I'm excited for whatever change is coming.
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I'm an attorney, and like many others in my field I don't enjoy what I do. I'm on maternity leave right but will be going back in the beginning of July
I just tell myself that it's a good job with great benefits and good hours (I work for govt so I don't work crazy private firm hours), but since I don't enjoy my work, it's going to be very, very difficult going back -
@Jumpingjacks: Bummer
I was really bored too. Can you take on a new project or switch something up within your current position?
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@JoJoGirl: Part of the problem is I've been doing work that is too junior for me and therefore just doesn't offer the challenge that it used to. The reason for this is they wouldn't give me funding to hire more staff to do this work so I could do the higher level work that still needed to be done too! Now, finally, I'm interviewing candidates for two new positions on my team next week. So, there is a chance that after they are trained, I can actually do more challenging work. BUT, this will be just in time for me to leave on my Mat Leave for 12 months! Oh well.
I just tell myself that it's a good job with great benefits and good hours (I work for govt so I don't work crazy private firm hours), but since I don't enjoy my work, it's going to be very, very difficult going back Reply
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