Help me (job related)

[Eureka1984]

Help me make sense of things..

I am feeling so lost in my career path. When I got divorced, I threw myself so into my teaching career. It was a great distraction. This summer I took up working for a lawyer and I liked that's as well. Now though I feel like I've hit a brick wall. I have become bitter and hate talking about anything job related. I am on ADs and I try to get out and exercise regularly but I've lost my passion. I feel like I am just going through motions.

Last week I thought about quitting but ultimately stayed for the reason that the money is better then the school system and I'm not quite sure I want to return to the classroom.

Any one have any thoughts on how to get out of this slump?

[Deleted]

I'm sorry! I've totally been there, a few times. Here are some things that have helped.

I really found a personal passion and threw myself into that so at least I had some passion in my life. It was sewing one time and teaching cooking classes to low income women another.

I wrote down what my ideal career would include. Things like flexability, helping people, not selling were important to me. I also took some online apptitude tests that helped me.

I also met with my supervisor to discuss some new goal sets. I didn't position it as I was miserable, but rather I was feeling as if I'd like to further develop XYZ skills or be involved in X part of the business. This helped me have new challenges at work that helped me break through. I'm not sure how this works though as a teacher. I'm not totally clear if you are actually teaching or doing something education related.

Also the ongoing pursuit if new jobs, searching and applying, gave me hope. That this wasn't the only option.

I hope it gets better soon!

[Eureka1984]

Thanks PDX!

Im trying to re evaluate my career. I think I definitely am going to try some online tests to see what interests me. I might try to volunteer a bit as well. I just feel so down. I hate being bitter and sad about my career.

[abcdefu]

Eureka1984 - I have been EXACTLY where you are! I started school as an education major. I was a teacher aide, then a substitute and did that through school. I always wanted to be a police officer, but due to SB I was unable. I took some legal/police courses and fell in love with the legal field. I changed my major from education to pre-law and I never regretted it.

Are you considering going back to school?

[idahome]

Feeling like you're not in the right career is super hard, especially when people start talking about "career", "calling", and "passion" in relation to work. Here is what I've realized: sometimes it's okay to just have a job that pays the bills. It's even more okay when that job gives you the ability (through time or money) to pursue other things that interest you. You just have to be willing to put in the time to figure out what it is that interests you.

I realized at my old job that I was unhappy, but until I left I had NO idea how everyone else was able to read my misery, as well. Now I'm in a job that is new, exciting, and challenging...definitely a great fit for me.

Like the other posters: find other activities that interest you. Volunteer. Volunteer in the education setting, but in a different capacity and see if you're really burned out or if you just need to find a way to leverage that training in a new way. Talk to your college career services office and see what kind of coaching they have for finding a new career. Look into professional women's mentoring organizations. Lastly, maybe some professional counseling would help give you the tools to cope with this rough patch. You'll work your way out, though, you've already shown you can make it through tough times. Good luck!

[Eureka1984]

Thank you all for your responses! I'm totally trying to figure it out and each of you provided great support I'm going to look into.

[spedrunner]

ugh I am currently struggling with this too. 

I think ultimately you aer the only one that can decide

Did you find teaching more enjoyable? Rewarding?  Is the money going to make/break you? SOmetimes its better to take a pay cut if you end of having more pleasure

BUT what I have found out, is that jumping around,s witching jobs, living spaces, etc, does NOT solve problems. I am trying to really focus and work on being present, happy and making the best of the moment

teaching sucks too! iM thinking of getting out myself. I recently moved from a state with a union to a NON union state with LESS income

Woah, talk about shock.  I like the job, but do NOT like the long hours, and expectations, without any compensation

Good luck and know that youa re not alone. Try to focus on making YOU Happy, its hard but that is the ultimate goal