Trapped. WFH during a pandemic.
Discussion
A job I have not enjoyed for 5 years and a 20+ year career I'm not suited to. Paperwork, deliverables, meetings. Working from home for 10 months. Lost all motivation. Not achieving much in job. Would like to do something very different. Can't see any alternatives in the future. Worry about losing salary (couldn't care less about the job itself).
Trapped.
ps. I know I am fortunate to have health, a house, garden, family and enough money.
Trapped.
ps. I know I am fortunate to have health, a house, garden, family and enough money.
Could have written that word for word about my own situation. I envy those who get any sort of satisfaction, either at the end the a day or when they've produced work they are pleased with,or had to crack difficult problems etc.
So OP I guess the question is what are we willing to do about it. What would you prefer to do?
My local Tesco needs delivery drivers, that would be out and about, bit of driving, and shift work so away from 9-5. Would that be better?
I tell myself there's loads of options and that I've just decided they're not as good as what I already have.
So OP I guess the question is what are we willing to do about it. What would you prefer to do?
My local Tesco needs delivery drivers, that would be out and about, bit of driving, and shift work so away from 9-5. Would that be better?
I tell myself there's loads of options and that I've just decided they're not as good as what I already have.
Bit of a different take, may or may not spark some thoughts.
Work out how much money you really need to earn to live the life you want. Do you need to live in an expensive area?
Do you need all those insurance policies you have for protecting your washing machine etc against breakdowns?
Do you need that expensive car when a 6 year old one will do the job just as well?
Do you need all those tv subscriptions?
Do you need the latest mobile with 5 million gb of data?
When I was made redundant some years ago I went through this process. I now live in a house that is 2 times the size of my last house, my out goings are about 35% less. I don't work any more which may not be possible for many, but it may open your eyes a bit.
I also went through this process with a friend and she could afford to earn £35k a year less without affecting her lifestyle at all. (this is before 40% tax) Ok her daily commute was l a long and expensive train journey, her mortgage was vast and her coffee bill was on par with my total monthly expenditure She is now looking for work in a different part of the country.
Work out how much money you really need to earn to live the life you want. Do you need to live in an expensive area?
Do you need all those insurance policies you have for protecting your washing machine etc against breakdowns?
Do you need that expensive car when a 6 year old one will do the job just as well?
Do you need all those tv subscriptions?
Do you need the latest mobile with 5 million gb of data?
When I was made redundant some years ago I went through this process. I now live in a house that is 2 times the size of my last house, my out goings are about 35% less. I don't work any more which may not be possible for many, but it may open your eyes a bit.
I also went through this process with a friend and she could afford to earn £35k a year less without affecting her lifestyle at all. (this is before 40% tax) Ok her daily commute was l a long and expensive train journey, her mortgage was vast and her coffee bill was on par with my total monthly expenditure She is now looking for work in a different part of the country.
deebs said:
My local Tesco needs delivery drivers, that would be out and about, bit of driving, and shift work so away from 9-5. Would that be better?
I would be happy to do that work, or constructive manual work, at least for a bit, although minimum wage would be a big drop in pay. We already live quite sensibly and we don't have big outgoings, so could afford to live on less (although I see saving/pension as important), but voluntarily dropping to a sub-living wage would be a big (foolhardy) step.
Ideally, I would spend half of the week doing something physical that is constructive/useful and half the week doing some sort of desk/people/campaigning/teaching work that helps people.
Edited by Woodrow Wilson on Wednesday 20th January 10:30
I genuinely came on to this forum just now to either start a thread or find one about the exact same issue as OP.
For some reason after Christmas my motivation has diminshed to zero. Couldn’t even get out of bed this morning to log on and chase sales that just aren’t coming. Absolutely zero positive feedback job wise at the moment so can’t see the point of anything but need the good money, and stuck in a tiny flat going nuts. Can’t change my direction as I have a mortgage application coming up, and don’t even have the mental wherewithal to do so anyway.
It would help if I could just get out and go and work somewhere else for a change like a coffee shop or a library or a shared workspace, but everything’s closed. It’s taken me an hour to work up the motivation to write a simple email...... calling customers for new business is just completely out of my capability at the moment but that’s my job. Can’t even string a sentence together the last few days!!!!
For some reason after Christmas my motivation has diminshed to zero. Couldn’t even get out of bed this morning to log on and chase sales that just aren’t coming. Absolutely zero positive feedback job wise at the moment so can’t see the point of anything but need the good money, and stuck in a tiny flat going nuts. Can’t change my direction as I have a mortgage application coming up, and don’t even have the mental wherewithal to do so anyway.
It would help if I could just get out and go and work somewhere else for a change like a coffee shop or a library or a shared workspace, but everything’s closed. It’s taken me an hour to work up the motivation to write a simple email...... calling customers for new business is just completely out of my capability at the moment but that’s my job. Can’t even string a sentence together the last few days!!!!
Edited by PopsandBangs on Wednesday 20th January 11:18
Edited by PopsandBangs on Wednesday 20th January 11:20
PopsandBangs said:
Can’t even string a sentence together the last few days!!!!
Thats an interesting point.I've was furloughed from end of March till June then wfh since June onwards.
I enjoy my job, but I don't have to regularly speak to people, most of my communication needs to be done via email.
During the summer I was out and about a fair bit and socialising with other friends and other people. But since end of October onwards I haven't really had any need to go out anywhere and am just on the home work/eat/sleep/ repeat hamster wheel.
I have started to notice that when I'm speaking to people now I am struggling for words and stumbling over then quite often which is not like me at all.
As much as I enjoy my job I am missing that social aspect of being around other people.
airsafari87 said:
I have started to notice that when I'm speaking to people now I am struggling for words and stumbling over then quite often which is not like me at all.
I have noticed this in myself too and it troubles me! Glad it’s not just me I suppose. OP I have nothing to add except my sympathies and I often feel the same. Without stimulating work to deal with - and with no options for distractions due to covid - it’s a very depressing time. I had a self contained work task yesterday that for once really challenged me and used my brain, I was focused and eventually finished it up to a satisfactory conclusion, and I was honestly a changed man the rest of the evening - bright and cheerful like I often am not these days.
If you have any indoors hobbies you’ve been putting off, or something like DIY, now is the perfect time.
But it is undeniably tough in the world right now. You’re not alone.
Think most of us are exactly the same boat TBH.
I had a great job I enjoyed last year, albeit WFH for six months, and got unexpectedly made redundant after 10 years with the company.
Was out of work for 5 weeks and have since started a new job doing something a bit similar but just different enough to be interesting for now. Less money but we all know money isn’t everything.
I suspect a change of job even in a similar industry would be enough to get you going again.
I had a great job I enjoyed last year, albeit WFH for six months, and got unexpectedly made redundant after 10 years with the company.
Was out of work for 5 weeks and have since started a new job doing something a bit similar but just different enough to be interesting for now. Less money but we all know money isn’t everything.
I suspect a change of job even in a similar industry would be enough to get you going again.
WFH; every formerly unplanned contact is now a meeting in the diary. What once took 5 mins to discuss across a desk is now planned at a 'mutually convenient' time. Those flashes of inspiration are dead. It's a really difficult situation, made worse by the fact I left the RAF after 22 years in March/April(!) and straight into a new but familiar industry but a brand new discipline.
I have a job, I shouldn't complain but it was tough for a bit.
I have a job, I shouldn't complain but it was tough for a bit.
Yep...started a new role last year mid-pandemic, no real onboarding and because of little work in the area that I actually joined for they then placed me remotely into a completely different team doing work I'm not interested in...I'm well paid for what I do so that covers stuff but the work at the moment is very much like the role I left previously which doesn't help...hey ho it's payday soon
smashing said:
Yep...started a new role last year mid-pandemic, no real onboarding and because of little work in the area that I actually joined for they then placed me remotely into a completely different team doing work I'm not interested in...I'm well paid for what I do so that covers stuff but the work at the moment is very much like the role I left previously which doesn't help...hey ho it's payday soon
Exactly - I used to laugh every month the RAF paid me because they obviously hadn't caught up with me yet! I laugh when I get my pay packet now too, only not so much because I do graft for it.Just posted on another thread.
All of this sounds like me, I've been lucky enough to find a new job in the same industry with more salary, I've got a cushy number currently with great benefits fantastic pension, company car, health care etc but just struggle through the days and weeks not doing much, I have stuff to do but just can't get motivated.
Looking back it's been like this pre Covid, difference then was I could pop on an office or go and see a customer and get out for the day.
I'm hoping a new start will get me going again.
The pandemic hasn't helped being at home constantly with the kids!!!
Good in a way others are feeling the same, I'm now having the panics that in reality ive chested a living for the last 25 years and the new place are going to find me out
All of this sounds like me, I've been lucky enough to find a new job in the same industry with more salary, I've got a cushy number currently with great benefits fantastic pension, company car, health care etc but just struggle through the days and weeks not doing much, I have stuff to do but just can't get motivated.
Looking back it's been like this pre Covid, difference then was I could pop on an office or go and see a customer and get out for the day.
I'm hoping a new start will get me going again.
The pandemic hasn't helped being at home constantly with the kids!!!
Good in a way others are feeling the same, I'm now having the panics that in reality ive chested a living for the last 25 years and the new place are going to find me out
Around the third week in January is said to be the most depressing time of the year. Cold and damp outside. Christmas is over, but the credit card bill still to look forward to.
airsafari87 said:
As much as I enjoy my job I am missing that social aspect of being around other people.
I've always been a loner and had no trouble finding things to keep me occupied even when stuck indoors, but I genuinely miss my work colleagues. Never thought I'd say that! PopsandBangs said:
I genuinely came on to this forum just now to either start a thread or find one about the exact same issue as OP.
For some reason after Christmas my motivation has diminshed to zero. Couldn’t even get out of bed this morning to log on and chase sales that just aren’t coming. Absolutely zero positive feedback job wise at the moment so can’t see the point of anything but need the good money, and stuck in a tiny flat going nuts. Can’t change my direction as I have a mortgage application coming up, and don’t even have the mental wherewithal to do so anyway.
It would help if I could just get out and go and work somewhere else for a change like a coffee shop or a library or a shared workspace, but everything’s closed. It’s taken me an hour to work up the motivation to write a simple email...... calling customers for new business is just completely out of my capability at the moment but that’s my job. Can’t even string a sentence together the last few days!!!!
Good luck.....For some reason after Christmas my motivation has diminshed to zero. Couldn’t even get out of bed this morning to log on and chase sales that just aren’t coming. Absolutely zero positive feedback job wise at the moment so can’t see the point of anything but need the good money, and stuck in a tiny flat going nuts. Can’t change my direction as I have a mortgage application coming up, and don’t even have the mental wherewithal to do so anyway.
It would help if I could just get out and go and work somewhere else for a change like a coffee shop or a library or a shared workspace, but everything’s closed. It’s taken me an hour to work up the motivation to write a simple email...... calling customers for new business is just completely out of my capability at the moment but that’s my job. Can’t even string a sentence together the last few days!!!!
If you can't get out of bed in the morning consider a visit to the docs for some help.
AlexC1981 said:
I've always been a loner and had no trouble finding things to keep me occupied even when stuck indoors, but I genuinely miss my work colleagues. Never thought I'd say that!
I'm feeling the same. Like someone else said, what was a five minute conversation is now a meeting in the diary. It very much is that, the small bit of chit chat or overheard conversation with people you probably wouldn't go down the pub with has all but gone. I've found myself chatting for ages with strangers while out and about because I haven't had a meaningless conversation in days.I am feeling the same at work, they do try and get us chatting online and having a bit of conversation, but it is not the same. We check in every morning on a chat just to make sure we are all OK and it is all just memes of cats complaining of what day of the week it is. I was trying to figure out what I was doing with my life before this all started and then my thoughts were just to keep going and be glad I could still work. Now I have even less of an idea as I don't feel like I am capable of anything because I just feel unmotivated. I also feel like there would be so many people chasing each job I wouldn't get a look in.
For me it's definitely been a case of be careful what you wish for. I've been pushing for WFH for ages, the job can easily be done remotely and I'm quite happy being on my own. Fast forward 10 month and I'm absolutely sick of it and feel like it's really starting to get me down. I met my next door neighbour when I was taking the bin out yesterday, ended up chatting nonsense with him for half an hour, just lovely to talk to another human in the flesh. Strange times.
Something also very important to point out - the grass is not always greener. Things are bad just now, but I've been a delivery driver for Sainsburys some years ago and I hated that a lot more than my easy, well paid desk job. Very hard going, tight deadlines, low pay, shift work, abuse from customers. We had a lot of middle aged guys join up after a semi retiring from the rat race expecting an easy little job, the reality is far from it.
Something also very important to point out - the grass is not always greener. Things are bad just now, but I've been a delivery driver for Sainsburys some years ago and I hated that a lot more than my easy, well paid desk job. Very hard going, tight deadlines, low pay, shift work, abuse from customers. We had a lot of middle aged guys join up after a semi retiring from the rat race expecting an easy little job, the reality is far from it.
Sten. said:
For me it's definitely been a case of be careful what you wish for. I've been pushing for WFH for ages, the job can easily be done remotely and I'm quite happy being on my own. Fast forward 10 month and I'm absolutely sick of it and feel like it's really starting to get me down. I met my next door neighbour when I was taking the bin out yesterday, ended up chatting nonsense with him for half an hour, just lovely to talk to another human in the flesh. Strange times.
Being a hermit is no fun for many people. Unless you can gain intrinsic satisfaction from your work itself, it can be very difficult.I'm fortunate to get along with my wife and we talk about all kinds of things. The children too. I charged up a friend's car battery the other day and we both thought that it was great to be able to have a chat.
Sten. said:
Something also very important to point out - the grass is not always greener. Things are bad just now, but I've been a delivery driver for Sainsburys some years ago and I hated that a lot more than my easy, well paid desk job. Very hard going, tight deadlines, low pay, shift work, abuse from customers. We had a lot of middle aged guys join up after a semi retiring from the rat race expecting an easy little job, the reality is far from it.
Good point. Low pay doesn't equal low stress. The lowest paid often work the hardest.Rostfritt said:
I was trying to figure out what I was doing with my life before this all started and then my thoughts were just to keep going and be glad I could still work. Now I have even less of an idea as I don't feel like I am capable of anything because I just feel unmotivated. I also feel like there would be so many people chasing each job I wouldn't get a look in.
I can definitely relate to this. Plus, I really dont want to change my employer, only to then continue with an identical scenario.
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