Ever feel your making...

[ny biker]

You make the best decision you can with the information you have available at the time. If new information becomes available, in this case in the form of your experience at work, that doesn't mean you screwed up before. Just that now you have more information on which to base your decisions going forward.

I've found that even bad job experiences are useful, because you can learn from them. Especially if you're able to learn what really matters to you, and what is less important.

Good luck.

[DebSP]

19 years ago I took a job that suited my life at the time. It was a complete departure from my experience and my education. It paid decently, it had benefits, and the hours allowed me to be home to raise my children, a real plus to me. I have hated the job for the last 5 years. But the money isn't bad and there are still benefits, sick days, and decent amount of holidays. This year I decided to try to change my attitude towards the job because I was becoming depressed about it. I have tried really hard to look for positives in the work and the job itself. Although they are few and far between I felt I was making progress. Now there are things going on politically that may seriously affect my job and make the money and benefits go away and I will be left with a job I hate with good holidays! The way I see it, I can either stick it out until I retire in 10 years and look to other areas of my life to bring enjoyment or I can try to make a change career wise. I will probably stick it out for various reasons, but I am going to have to try VERY hard to find fulfillment in other areas of my life to make it worthwhile. Sometimes I feel that I made a bad choice back then. That I should have continued on the career path that I was on. But when I look at my life then and think about how well it suited me to change, I realize that it wasn't that bad! I guess the main reason for me to stay is that if I stay I CAN retire in 10 years. If I change I will be working for at least another 15 years, and there is no guarantee that I will like another job. NY Biker is absolutely right, it is the information that you have at the time that affects your decisions.

[Catrin]

{{{{Road Trip}}}} sending you warm hugs and thoughts. This is a stressful time for you. Don't second guess past decisions but use all that you have learned to inform future ones. Venting is good

[girlontheroad]

Roadtrip, hang in there whatever you decide. I agree with the other posters; you make the decisions based on the information you have at the time. And everyone's decisions about situations are different. A few years ago I left a stable university job because I realized that I was very unhappy, working too hard and didn't have time for the things that did matter to me. I had the option of going out on my own as a consultant and it has been the best decision I've made--just like taking the job 14 years ago was the best decision before things changed there (it was my dream job at the time). My best friend was supposed to leave with me but she never did...the difference? I have 20 years at least until retirement--she has 5 or less. I couldn't stand the idea of 20 more years as I realized the political landscape as I advanced in my job didn't stop with problems with my boss, but went all the way to the top. I recently had a health scare and surgery (successful and I can't wait for my 6 weeks of purgatory--I mean recovery--to end!) and thought...hmm perhaps this wasn't a great idea because I pay my own health insurance now and if I don't travel, I don't get paid. However, I realized in my worries about my health that my life is better for the decision I made to work for myself and if I get to the point where I can't do that anymore, I'll find a new job that meets my needs at that time. I guess what I'm saying is that the bad part is most workers don't find themselves staying in 1 job for their whole career...and that's the good news too. The key is in knowing what matters and what works now for your situation and what your fall back plans can be (at least I need that for piece of mind). Whatever you decide you will find a way to make it work...and if not, just make sure you can ride your bike more--the escape is essential in bad situations!