occupational revulsion

[confused2007]

Every job I've ever worked, I absolutely hated.

 

I haven't been able to pinpoint the exact problem, but everytime I think about a 9-5 job, I want to put a bullet in my head (Not literally). Although, there have been several times I imagined getting into a car accident just so I wouldn't have to go to work (literally ). So dreadful. It sucks the life out of me.

 

I'm currently working part-time (20-25 hrs/week) while I finish college in December and have a great manager. Yet I am still jumping out of my shoes to leave as soon as I walk into the office.

 

As far as my experience, I've had many occupations from sales, construction, retail, waiter, security, and operation's manager intern (Currently). There's probably more, just can't remember.

 

I have yet to find a job I even half-way enjoy.

 

So....can anyone relate? If so, what do you reccommend to change this style of thinking?

[dropdeadlegs]

I can relate.

 

Even when I enjoy a job initially because of the new challenges or pay raise, it doesn't take long (less than a year) for me to get to the point where I dread going.

 

I have many times thought a car accident with a lengthy hospital stay sounded more appealing than going to work.

 

I have heard that if you do what you like, it doesn't feel like work and you will enjoy it. I still haven't found a job that will pay me to do crossword puzzles and Sudoku all day. I don't want to write the puzzles, I want to solve them. I like to read, but don't think I'd be a good editor or even a critic, as those require skills I don't really have.

 

I like sex, but prostitution isn't legal where I live and I really only want to have sex with one man anyway. I don't think he would pay me, though.

 

I wish I could recommend something, but it looks like we're in the same boat.

[doiask42much]

I can relate too. I've been stuck in the same job for over six years. I can't find another one, and I'm too scared to just quit because I don't want to depend on anyone. So every day I go and I hate it. It's not the work that I hate so much, I just have been doing it too long and management makes a lot of stupid and frustrating decisions. I keep hoping to be laid off and collect unemployment but they keep axing people who are not me. I don't quite get it. I do very little work. I goof off on LS a lot lately. I've never had a job I loved or even liked. I hope to have one before I die. I just want to know what that is like. The idea of working at a job like this one till I retire certainly does make me want to put a bullet in my head. And I just found out today that I didn't get a job I applied for but they did not even deign to notify me.

[doiask42much]

I have the same problem as DDL. Things I'd love to do I won't get paid for. Things I wouldn't mind doing, I can't get hired to do, since someone more qualified always beats me out. I've tried to be positive about it but it's getting hard to not get discouraged. If anyone has any ideas, I'd like to hear them. I feel like I build my life around my bf because I hate my job and I get way too loaded on weekends as a kind of escape. It can't be healthy, especially now that I'm getting older. :(

 

Confused, since you are just finishing college, you must still be pretty young? I would suggest paying your dues in an exciting field while you are still young enough to be able to tolerate making a lower salary and doing some amount of grunt work. I don't know what industry you want to work in but that seems to be how a lot of people get into entertainment, advertising, PR and other glamorous fields. I was too proud to do it when I was younger, and now it's too late to even consider the idea.

[confused2007]

After putting some thought into it, I'm starting to believe in order to be happy at the workplace you need to have 1 of 2 things, and correct me if I'm wrong.

 

1. Create an environment at the workplace that makes it fun and exciting to go. e.g. be social with coworkers, make friends, and look forward to seeing them - not doing the actual work.

 

2. Find your "Passion" (aka: your calling)

 

I noticed one of my problems with work has been putting up with poor management, besides my current job. I also know one of my desires (I don't know if it's my calling, but it's burning inside me) is to be an entrepreneur. So hell, if the opportunity arises, I'm jumping on it. I love taking risks, and after all, it's a greater risk to risk nothing, than it is to risk everything - not sure who wrote that quote, but I like it.

 

Another one of my issues is that I'm a clock watcher and it drives me insane. Constantly watching the minutes go by while I'm doing work I despise. Eh.........

 

I really hope that one day, we'll enjoy turning the alarm off and jump out of bed with excitment to get to work.

 

DoIask42much - To answer your question, I'm 24. A late bloomer, in age, when it comes to graduating but at least I'm getting the job done.

[1dogtrainer]

I too, can relate to how you all feel about work.

I have a job that many people would love to have. I work at a theme park and am an artist. The pay is good, the benefits are great, the hours are great, the work I do is for the most part, satisfying. The people I work with are fun and the job is pretty much laid back.

I have been working since I was sixteen years old and I am now in my fifties. I am tired of working. Sometimes it isn't the place where you work or the work you do, it's the simple act of getting up and going to work that is depressing. I would love to stop working and wake up when I want, come and go as I want and do what I want. The sad fact is, I can't afford NOT to work.

One would think that I would feel blessed to have the job I have. Yes, it is a good job but I don't want ANY job!!!!

You guys are not alone with your feelings. There is always somewhere else we would rather be and being somewhere for eight to ten hours a day where we don't want to be just sucks.

[blind_otter]

I feel the same way.

 

I'm just subscribing because I hope that someone offers some sage advice.

[1dogtrainer]

I feel the same way.

 

I'm just subscribing because I hope that someone offers some sage advice.

 

Well, I don't have any "sage" advise but you could try a cooking forum!!

[Topper]

Most colleges and other schools have someone that can give you an aptitude test. That might point you in the right direction. The happiest people i know where those that followed their Bliss. They worked hard at what they were doing. They may not have become rich . But they are sucsseful. A old High School Friend Loved acting he worked in NY did some bit parts in a couple films. Now he runs a small dinner theator and teaches acting at a Summer Camp. You never know where life might take you. I have always thought that working at a job you hate was one of the worse things you could do to yourself. What a waste of a life.

[dropdeadlegs]

In response to 1dogtrainer, I recently saw an older movie. I think it was called "Office Space." The lead character is speaking to a potential girlfriend and states that he he didn't go to work, to which she replies "so you quit." He then says something along the lines of "no, I just didn't go." She then says "so you're going to find something else?" He replies that he doesn't think

he wants another job. I could completely relate to that.

 

As to Topper's post, I took an aptitude test. My best jobs were a librarian and an accountant. I think a librarian sounds great, but in all honesty I don't really know what that entails. I also believe that it takes a great deal of education, for some reason. An accountant sounds pretty boring to me, but it is a self reliant type of position.

 

What I think I would enjoy is interior decorating, but if it was a "job" it would likely take all the fun out of it.

 

BTW, it's good to see you, B_O. I've missed you.

 

No sage advise here, just some moaning.

[1dogtrainer]

You know, I believe that it doesn't matter what kind of job a person has, any job is bound to get 'old' after awhile. Many jobs are fun and exciting at first but when the new wears off and going to work becomes mundane, I feel that's when we dread going.

I work part time as a dog trainer and even though it's rewarding to work with dogs (and I truly love dogs), even this occupation gets old.

I'm thinking that it's just me.

I have always been the kind of person who gets interested in something new then the feeling wanes, sometimes quickly, sometimes not.

Could I have adult ADD? I can't be satisfied with anything for long it seems, no matter what it is. I am compulsive too. I will buy something thinking that it's really neat then put it away and never use it again.

I have started projects on my home but don't finish them. I will continue starting new projects and maybe once in awhile I will finish one or two. It drives my family nuts.

Just like this computer I'm using. Two years ago my son gave me a really nice HP computer and he 'turbo'd' it (he is a computer tech). I had a really nice flat screen monitor, printer, etc. The computer was super nice. The shop where I work purchased two iMac computers for the graphic designers to use and I decided I wanted one. I charged an iMac on my credit card and gave the PC back to my son. Why? I have no idea! Why did I want this computer? I'm not a graphic designer, I'm just an average computer user.

Every year I trade in my vehicle for a new one. Why? I have no idea.

I buy cameras that I don't use, a camcorder I have used once, on and on. It isn't that I have money because I don't. I have maxed out three credit cards and I don't know if I can pay for them.

Do I think that spontaneous spending will make me happy? Rationality tells me no but I keep doing it. I have four dogs. Do I NEED four dogs? NO! Why did I aquire four dogs?

Why am I sitting here on my computer at home instead of being at work where I could be making money? Why have I not gone to work all week? I have no idea. All I'm doing here at home is wasting my time and I will probably get into trouble for not being at work. Maybe even fired. There HAS to be an underlying reason why I do the things I do.

My husband doesn't even know I haven't been to work.

I don't know what the hell is wrong with me. I have been this way I believe, all of my life. Maybe I'm missing an important gene. I need to go buy one!!!!! hah!

[kimba]

I read an article last weekend about a very famous musician here in australia and he said that his parents owned a massive factory of some sort. At the age of SIX he had an epiphany that he never wanted to work 9-5.

 

I think it has something to do with having a creative gene as i see this attitude again and again if someone is artistic.

 

I feel exactly the same way. I have always been a casual worker. In the past i still might work 45 hrs a week but they are hours of my choosing.

 

Now i am a teacher and do relief work . In the past I have got used to picking which days i work , and now i can't do it any other way.

 

The only way that i would ever work 9-5 and every single day is if i was earning money as an illustrator, which is what i really want to be doing.

 

I hate working for other people. Special ed teaching is rewarding, but jesus....EVERYDAY????? i'd have a mental breakdown. Maybe i'm commitmentphobic.

 

They offered me a one day a week contract til the end of the year, and i've actually turned it down, mainly because of other tragedies in my life ,and i might need to go and tend to mums house 500ks away, but really, also i spose it was only going to be $160australian a day , where relief is $A284 a day. Get paid less and also have that commitment??? no thanks. It was a monday also.

 

I think that we get sucked in to the 9-5 mon to friday because we think that we need certain things in our life and this is the only way to get them.

I just think there has to be another way. Like more sustainable living, making things, growing things, using green energy, solar, recycling.

And you only get one life- and so many people HATE their jobs. Having lost both parents recently, i just feel how fragile life is, and how we really need to live how we really want to, and not how we've been conditioned to.

[1dogtrainer]

Kimba,

I am so sorry for your loss. You must be going through hell.

I think you might be onto something when you mentioned the "artistic gene". I didn't think of that before but looking back at all the artists I have worked with over the years, there were so many that couldn't commit. They either couldn't commit to being in relationships or a steady job or even being on time for work.

One of the artist's I work with is very creative and very skilled but he is extremely scattered. He is usually late for work and if he isn't late, he clocks in exactly on the hour. He can't stay focused on any tasks and wanders off from our shop. After his divorce a few years ago he started dating but can't commit to any one woman. When he goes out with his friends he's usually late to meet them or doesn't show at all.

I will have to do some research about this interesting subject and see what I can find.

Thanks for bringing that to the forum. :-)

[kimba]

Kimba,

I am so sorry for your loss. You must be going through hell.

 

thanks, yes I am.

 

 

I think you might be onto something when you mentioned the "artistic gene". I didn't think of that before but looking back at all the artists I have worked with over the years, there were so many that couldn't commit. They either couldn't commit to being in relationships or a steady job or even being on time for work.

One of the artist's I work with is very creative and very skilled but he is extremely scattered. He is usually late for work and if he isn't late, he clocks in exactly on the hour. He can't stay focused on any tasks and wanders off from our shop. .

 

When horrible life changing events happen, you kind of question everything in your life.

I mean for a start who dreamt up Monday to Friday 9-5??

What about Tuesday to Thursday 10 - 2???? or 9-1???

For a couple of years i was working at this marketing recruitment company and i was working 10- 7 Monday to Friday, It nearly drove me bonkers. Seriously, each day, i felt my creative juices shrivelling up and dropping off.

 

Some of my friends there were also artists and we all felt the same way. Sure enough, you have your weekends, but how are you going to sit down and work on something, when all your juices have dried?? and when you have to do your washing????

 

I just think we have got it all wrong. People have no spare time!!!!! I mean, haven't we got it all wrong when sooooo many people not only are working 9-5 but also HATE their jobs???

 

 

kimba the white lion

[StandByMe]

I feel the exact same way. Work sucks. I would rather live in the woods as a naturalist, but I don't know how to and people would laugh at me.