I am 24 years old, currently working in the medical field, and HATING IT. I've been doing this job for a few years, and I'm good at it, but it's become soul sucking. Thing is, I don't know what to do instead. I've got bills to pay, responsibilities, etc. And as much as I hate my job, I don't know what else to do and I'm scared I'm trapped in it. I got into my field because someone told me I'd be good at it and make good money. I make decent money but my life feels so monotonous and pointless. My husband just bought a boat and we're looking to live aboard it, which will hopefully cut our cost of living. What should I do? My husband (a wise old hippie) won't tell me what to do but says I have to figure it out. But I'm going through such an existential crisis, I'm in panicked tears almost daily. Namaste
Reality check: Most people hate their jobs. At least the money is good, and you aren't doing anything that makes the world a worse place, as far as I know.
I went through something similar a few years ago. I really had to start focusing on doing the things I like to do outside of work. I really need a carrot at the end of the stick to get through the day. I'd set up after work picnics with the wife, take the dog to the beach, surf, etc. I still get down on work every once in awhile, but its easier to pull through.
This. Its rare for someone to do what they are truly passionate about and make a living from it. People who are able to achieve that level of success are usually single-minded in their determination. Is there anything you are truly passionate about? And are you willing to sacrifice blood, sweat, tears, and almost all of your free time to make it happen? If not, I would stick with your job. Or go back to school, take some courses that could further your career. Or go back to school and switch careers completely, but there is no guarantee you won't hate the next thing just as much.
this is good advice. try and remember that your job doesn't define you, it's just something you do. spend time on a hobby that you haven't thought about for a while, learn to knit, pick up a camera at a second hand shop and sign up for a photography class... anything that will give you some purpose. for a lot of people, it seems that volunteering time with those less fortunate than themselves helps a lot with these kind of feelings too.
Too cheesy for me I prefer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo-wkv8gW6k The quarter life crisis as defined 12 years ago. Go figure. C/S, Rev J
i DONY KNOW WHAT FIELD of health care you are in+ but it sounds to me that you change bed pans and give sponge baths. Im a 70 year old hippie and when i died twice in the cardiace ward I was put in a care center. God bless the staff that changed my bed pan and gave me sponge baths when i could not help myself. AS i got better i would try telling them how much i apprecided them. I would give them new white soxs as a thank you. they spend so much time on their feet. I would give them soxs and say "SEX IS GOOD AND MUSIC ROCKS BUT THERE AINT NOTHING LIKE A NEW PAIR OF SOXS. no matter if im right or wrong about your work in health care know that I appreciate you. You are a sweet heart so stay strong mike bedell
hey, i just noticed you identify yourself as a poet. I suffer the same curse. come visit me at CHURCH OF THE GOOD Earth MIKE BEDELLS POETRY CORNER. iLL BE LOOKING FOR YOU
Hey darlin', My hubby went through the same thing - he didn't know what he wanted to do, so he took up welding, spent 4 years getting trained and internationally certified - then discovered he HATED it with a passion. He's my easy going, zen man - and the derogatory, hateful and greediness of the shops he worked in just sucked his soul from him. I watched it all happen and saw that it was depressing him. Long story short, at 26 he decided to re-train, went back to school to be in IT (a field he didn't know he'd like to work in, as he was always afraid of being in a 'cube) we had to get into debt to do it, but he's 1 million times happier and more at peace then I've ever seen him since getting married. You're only 24, you could look into re-training or getting courses part-time; thankfully you also have your hubby helping with the bills and it looks like you're really trying to cut costs. You should do something you enjoy doing, or at LEAST get some gratification from - realistically, not everyone can LOVE their job ALL the time. Work is work! And it's going to suck the big one sometimes. I trained as a Librarian and while I love my job; I've hated where I worked with a passion sometimes! I finally am able to have my dream job (SAHM) but unfortunately, it doesn't come with a pay cheque. Look into re-training, or even moving around the hospital - is there another department you may like better? I was working in the Government with meta-data for a while and going to work felt like slamming my head repeatedly against a brick wall - but a slight move sideways into being a librarian for the firearms dept turned a shitty job into a great one! Best of luck luv, I really hope you find what you're looking for. Peace, ~ FlowerMama
Although you are in a career that heals others, it would be a shame if it hurt you. Finding your role, vocation and career path may take a while, but viewing it as part of your personal overall healing process may be valuable. There may be another caring role that would suit you better, or a course to study a complementary therapy for example. Is there any other role in your work environment that appeals to you? The answer may be to stay where you are but do something different. Look around for other employment or study opportunities. What you're doing may be a little more tolerable if you feel you are moving forward toward something brighter and more creative for you. Is there a careers advice center to which you could go and ask about the possibilities based on your realized and nascent talents and skills? Go well and safe. Be prosperous and fulfilled.
Mike, I hope you check back in on this thread. Thanks for the beautiful post. I've done some of those things (personal care, catheter changes, ostomies, etc.). I always tried to do it with love - what was gross for me, I figured was usually worse for the patient. Thanks for the thanks, brother. Glad you're up and at 'em again. Boom!
The good part is that you have enough self-awareness to recognize this. That puts you ahead of the game. I don't think there's any question but you have to find a way to get yourself out of that situation. Life is way, way too short to hate the thing you spend most of your waking hours doing. So obviously, the question is ... how do you get out of it? First, don't do anything rash. Take all the time you need to find your way. You're better off with this than most because you have time and you have money. You're not forced to do anything simply in order to eat. And you don't want to end up worse off than you are now. The important point is that you stay in control of your own life. Don't let circumstances control you. I think the advice to look for things that you are passionate about is very good advice. In fact, I think it's critical. Look for something that you'd do even if you weren't getting paid for it, then find a way to make a living at it. Obviously, that's easier said than done, but if you're serious about it and you really put your heart and soul into it, you'll find a way. There's almost always a way. The best of luck to you
Sounds like you have a life, but then have nothing to compare it to! You need to create a different perspective for yourself of the world that helps put what you DO have better into focus. For me the only answer was/is TRAVEL, and not just to go to "more of the same" places. Don't go from one scenic part of the same country to another scenic part. You need a total change of 'culture'! If you can swing it financially, EURAIL or even BritRail. We backpacked through China a few years back and it was cheap and showed us an amazing different culture. I've got my eye on India/Nepal or South America for my next trip. Going to these places helps me enjoy live fuller.
just checking back in, been living aboard for five months, harder and easier than i expected, but an awesome adventure none the less.
according to my genes, apparently so. so long as my clumsiness doesn't kill me. really, i don't wanna live past when my body or mind start going though.
