tell me to shut the hell up and be grateful for my stupid job

[Anonymous]

I kind of want to quit my job because it is not fulfilling. I am an attorney with a government agency and while there are many fulfilling, important jobs in the agency, I have chosen to work 3 days a week so I can spend more time with my kids, and that means I will always just be a low-level attorney. That part I am ok with -- I would never give up those two days at home -- I love them!! Even though my kids are in school now, I like doing drop off and pick up so I get to see other parents and check in with the teachers, and getting errands done so our weekends are for fun time.
But because my job is dead-end and boring, I am wondering if I should just quit altogether. But I have good benefits and a good salary, and I feel like a dumbass giving that up just because I am bored.
DH is a law firm partner at a mid-size firm, so I don't feel like he has great job security. I think he has good job security, but not great.

[Anonymous]

"Shut the hell up and be grateful for your stupid job."

Well, you asked for it. Honestly, I'm a similar position having chosen a low-level, dead in job for the flexibility it provides. I've spent about eight months feeling absolutely miserable every day about going to work. I hate the fact that I'm not challenged and that I feel like a peon. Over the last month I've really tried to focus on the adage, "The only thing I can change is my attitude." I've really focused on trying to look at the positive things in my job and have asked for more responsibility, even though I won't get any additional pay. After about a month, I'm seeing a big difference in how I view the job. Having quit jobs before due to my husband's job transfers, I know that staying at home isn't all that it's cracked up to be!

[Anonymous]

Yes, you should definitely stop complaining. Lots of people would kill for this scenario. Instead of focusing on how bored you are, focus on the additional income and benefits you are contributing toward your family's long-term financial well-being.

I still work FT, but in a much more flexible job and have felt as you do. This is how I choose to think of my situation. I also choose to be grateful that I am no longer caught up in the rat race and never wake up dreading going to work because unrealistic expectations are being demanded of me and my boss/co-workers are going to suck the life from me.

Focus on the positive, not the negative. Remind yourself that most Americans don't have nearly as much as you do and that millions of them would be happy simply to have a job.

[Anonymous]

Being unemployed sucks.

[Anonymous]

Shut the hell up you have a great life work balance. I wouldn't necessarily tell you to be grateful for the job itself, but rather the whole picture, which you focus nicely on. Find other ways to be fulfilled. I am in a similar situation, but several years behind you and once my kids are in school I am looking forward to volunteeting, etc.

[Anonymous]

I think you should stick it out OP. You don't mention your kids ages but I am guessing they are not in full time school. Soon they will be there and they won't have those two days to spend with you. You will only be able to spend time with them in the mornings and evenings. Hopefully your job will still be flexible enough that you can drop them at school and pick them up.

You can ramp up your hours or look for another job at that time. You also did not mention any financial need for you to go full time. Unless this job is absolutely soul sucking, stick to it until kids go to school. At that time you can re-evaluate.

[Anonymous]

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT give up your job. Figure out a way to handle it. Are you crazy?? I have been a SAHM for years, and am now looking for a job because DH's job has suddenly become unreliable. His company's sales have dropped because of Europe's problems, something DH can't control.

This is a situation I could not have imagined a few years ago. And, stupid me, I did what you are contemplating doing, I QUIT a part time job because it was BORING. I have a graduate degree from an Ivy League school, have great experience, but it's old, and now I can't even get a job as a library assistant because I'm not "experienced".

A friend who has worked at home for years as a freelance artist can't get any work now, and has had to find a job as a secretary!! She has two degrees, but is schlepping coffee and typing just to make ends meet. It's so depressing!!

Believe me, it could be worse!! Hang onto your boring job. Give it up and you are taking a gamble. Had I known then what I know now, I would never have given up my part time job.

[Anonymous]

I know you said you really value the days off, but you might consider going back full time, at least for awhile, and seeing how you like it. Even though "Lots of people would kill for this scenario" as PP says, if it's not working for you, it's not working.

[Anonymous]

You are bored because you are boring. How sad that you look to a job to fulfill you. Get a brain, and learn how to use it you cog.

[Anonymous]

Yep, shut the hell up and be grateful. I'm guessing you get paid pretty well for being part-time. Count up how that cash benefits your family--or start saving it for something special. It will make it seem more important to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I kind of want to quit my job because it is not fulfilling. I am an attorney with a government agency and while there are many fulfilling, important jobs in the agency, I have chosen to work 3 days a week so I can spend more time with my kids, and that means I will always just be a low-level attorney. That part I am ok with -- I would never give up those two days at home -- I love them!! Even though my kids are in school now, I like doing drop off and pick up so I get to see other parents and check in with the teachers, and getting errands done so our weekends are for fun time.
But because my job is dead-end and boring, I am wondering if I should just quit altogether. But I have good benefits and a good salary, and I feel like a dumbass giving that up just because I am bored.
DH is a law firm partner at a mid-size firm, so I don't feel like he has great job security. I think he has good job security, but not great.

What would you do with the other three days? How would it impact your marriage? Your self esteem? Your long term financial situation?

[Anonymous]

I'm in this scenario too. And yes, I am thankful to be relatively well compensated for a job that is not at all remotely interesting. What i wish I was doing was being really productive with the down time at work - writing for myself, running errands, etc. Instead I spend too much time on DCUM!

Right now I should be reorganizing our Christmas card list!

[Anonymous]

OP, I could have written the subject line of the post.

I work full time though and have 1 child in elem. school, one in preschool. I would love to have a part-time option for my job but it would not work at all, from both my employer's perspective and from a budget and career perspective for me. I also don't make tons of money, so every little bit counts.

Every time I go out to interview, I realize how bad it is out there. Not saying there aren't other awesome jobs and I have to stay here forever, but it's also not that easy to GET the job I think I want that would be better, with all the things I would need: interesting work, commute/location, career advancement, atmosphere, stability, benefits, etc....

Maybe interview and see if there is something else out there for you? It really never hurts to interview elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Divorced single mom here. DO NOT LEAVE THE WORKFORCE.

Re-entry will be a bitch, if it's even possible.

If you have a plan or goal or lifelong passion that you want to explore, that's a bit different. Work towards being able to do that at some point. But don't leave because you're bored. DO NOT LEAVE BECAUSE YOU ARE BORED. I'm shouting because I mean it. I would be up such a damn creek right now if I'd left the workforce at some point.

[Anonymous]

Attorney making 100K a year for a 3 day work week? Where do I sign up?