Starting over

Sounds like you have burnout, which is common. I did go through that for a period of time as well. Once I realized I was burned out, I was able to take some time off to clear my head.

Once my head was cleared, I realized all the great things I enjoyed about my career and I decided to stick with it. I have found the passion again the I had, seemed to have lost, and now have yet again.

 

This isn't exactly your situation but here's my experience. I always enjoyed my work but not the companies where I worked. In 2010 I quit my job and went freelance. I didn't really have a plan but I had enough of a cash cushion not to worry for several months. I instantly felt better about everything, and soon after the freelance projects started coming in.

So if you quit, make sure you have some cash to tide you over. Consider whether you can still get a job if worst comes to worst. Then go for it and see what happens! Also, ask yourself if the problem is the work itself, or just this particular job?

 

In my department there are a few professors who switched from company jobs to academia after 15+ years. I have also seen professors who decided academia was not for them and either started up their own companies or joined some of the big names out there. The 3rd common scenario I have seen is people who came back to (usually) graduate school to study something completely different because they decided on a new passion and needed related qualifications. The 4th (very rare) scenario is people who started up something completely unrelated to their old job like a small animal shelter etc.

Like others said, you need a safety net if you decide to just up and go. You might want to do a trial period to make sure your new passion is something you actually enjoy doing as a career because sometimes hobbies turn boring quickly if you have to profit from them.

 

I really can't say much based on my own, personal experience. Except that I'm going through this sort of problem right now. But my situation is much different--I have no formal employment right now, apart from freelance activities that haven't done well in a very long time. :tears: So I am looking at formal jobs. If nothing else, I need the cash flow! But I want to find something that I like...or at least that I don't actively hate, and that leaves me with energy to do other things.

One issue that I have had problems with that may be relevant for you, mnguy, is that there are naysayers out there... I have one my life who has been been really frustrating. And I'm sure he'd say I'm frustrating. He has good qualities, and he does seem to have some concern. But...it seems clear that his vision for me is a lifetime of "enough to pay cheap rent and buy a few groceries." I made the mistake of mentioning that I want something that I like and gives fulfillment, and he immediately went off on the "many people hate their jobs, and why should you be any different?" tangent. To be fair, my case presents some difficult issues. I recognize those. But I don't want to resign myself to a life of nothing but jobs I hate.

I do know someone who made such a jump. She says she's a lot happier, even though income is more of a worry now.

Above, someone suggested the value of a temporary break, but continuing the same line of work. That, too, can be a good choice for some people, but a lot hinges on one's circumstances. If, on some deep level, you always hated your work--or you have reached a point where that work is no longer suitable--a break won't really help long term.

 

I did this too, and it was one of the best decisions I made for career, confidence and happiness in my life. After a loooong time freelance, I also got burnout. I'm now taking an extended break in a kind of a self-improvement/self-discovery way of living. Living very frugally, and not sure where I'll end up, but I currently would not trade this for anything!

 

so wait was the dude in that blog a millionare?

 

I get that a lot too, mostly from people who are very insecure about their own jobs etc. It irritates them to hear that other people might want to do something that does not make them totally miserable.

I understand that some goals are unrealistic and may lead one to a worse situation but I don't think working at a job you enjoy is one of them.

 

Not sure this will help...

But I recall reading many years ago Finding Your Life Mission by Naomi Stephan. I don't remember the book that well now...but I do seem to recall the suggestion that it was based on the idea that we have some sort of mission in life, and that we need whatever work we do to aid that mission. There were stories in that book of people with good jobs who were miserably unhappy because they weren't where they needed to be.

 

I never had the courage to change and I deeply regret it. All I have now is a long list of financial obligations that keeps me chained to that keyboard and mouse. Maybe its that we bought into this idea that work/career defines us and is our most important source if fulfillment. ( I envy the guys who see work as a means to an end, not an end.) Technology hasn't been kind to us either. Working a mouse isn't really working with your hands. And the isolation of texting instead of talking, emailing instead of phoning? No wonder so many of us end up with addictions to fill the void of so liitle interpersonal contact.
Why am I saying this? No to depress you, but to motivate you. Make sure you have the financial freedom to get up and walk away from your cubicle for good. Not that you need a huge savings account. You need to decide to live with less and don't buy things you don't need when money you don't have to impress people who aren't really your friends. It wont happen overnight. But neither will finding your dream job. But having the freedom to chose is priceless. Good luck man!

 

My husband hit a point where he wasn't really happy with his job or just life in general. He decided that Oklahoma just wasn't gong to cut it so one day he quit his job, pulled together enough money for gas and drove off to Chicago in search of life and love. He picked Chicago because it was the only big city he'd ever been to--he once visited here for a couple months on a dance scholarship. It wasn't perhaps the best plan, but I'm sure glad he did it. We met about six months after he moved here.:icon_wink

 

Sounds like the real issue is this particular company -- not the work itself.

A simple, not too disruptive solution would be to find a similar job at another company. These days, being in a job for over 10 years is extremely unusual. It sounds like it's time for a change.

Glassdoor[dot]com is a great resource for getting a sense of companies and salaries in your area.