CTRL-ALT DEL

Have you ever "rebooted" your life? Realized you screwed up in some area and decided to start from the beginning again?

Ever since my company told me last year that I wasn't getting another raise, I was left with a dilemma - do I hold out until I graduate with my Master's or do I find a job in the interim?

Until recently, I had basically decided to stay in my complete and utter dead end job until I graduated. But things have gotten so bad at work. Morale is nonexistent, they're piling more and more work onto everyone and not hiring people, there is no more camaraderie because no one has time or energy anymore, and no perks anymore from the company. With a list like that, what incentive is left for me to decide to stay at this place?

I'm looking into going back to retail and just rebooting my career. This desk job I have has made me a slug - both physically and mentally. I've lost all motivation to do anything. I hate it.

I'm also thinking about going back to a "dumb" phone. Do I really need 24/7 access to Facebook and email? Nope.

So, have you ever restarted something in the hopes of maybe starting fresh and reinventing yourself? If so, how did it go?

Or maybe I'm just going through a mid-life crisis. LOL. All I know is, I hate the person I've become at this job. I used to enjoy life, and now I feel like I"m a zombie staring at a computer screen or cell phone screen all day.

I want my quality of life back and simplifying my life seems to be the way to do it.

 

Yep, do it. Ditch the phone and job for a while. Desk jobs and smart phones will be around when you get back. When I get laid off or I hate my job or a hurricane takes it away I get to bartend and have fun for a while. Is there anything like that you'd think was just fun to do -- until you graduate or whatever? Go to the beach and sit there all summer renting beach chairs? I miss the physical and social aspects of bartending and waitressing. I get what you mean about staring at a screen and office people.

 

I didn't do it in the professional side of my life but I did a complete reset in my personal life. A few years ago there was something that happened in my life that opened my eyes to the fact that I was literally letting life pass me by. I hated the person I had become. I didn't take care of myself, I had no drive/initiative, I put no effort into my health, I sat around watching tv most nights, I coasted in everything I did. I was lazy in every sense of the word. I was absolutely miserable and that negativity was oozing into every aspect of my life. I tried over and over to talk to my then-husband about it, but he swore it was a mid life crisis lol. I think he realizes now that I was serious! I did a complete 180 on how I was living each day. Started eating healthy, exercising, lost a shit load of weight, started putting effort back into my work, striving to be better each day and learn new things and I started actually getting out of the house. We get one life, I refuse to spend it being miserable or counting down until my vacations days.

As for how it went...Im happier (and healthier) than I've been in years. That makes me a better mom, a better girlfriend, a better employee, a better boss, etc. I think as moms we tend to put everyones needs ahead of our own but if we're not taking care of ourselves, how well can we really take care of anyone else? That goes for making sure we're happy and content in both our personal and professional lives IMO.

If going back to retail would alleviate some stress from your life, do it! Gain focus on what you want and go for it! I think it'll show something to your daughter as well...just cause your stuck doing what you've always done doesn't mean you can't change things up and strive for peace and happiness. I always think of the example I'm setting for my kids. We were playing basketball last night and my son stood at the 3 point line talking about making such a long shot. He looks at me and says "mommy all I have to do is believe in myself and I can do anything". My bf just looked at me, amazed that that came out of a 5 year olds mouth lol. That's the example I've been trying to set and its sinking in. Our kids see what we do more than they hear what we say, I think. So do whatever will make you happy because she's watching

I think a lot of people find themselves in a rut at some point in their lives. To me, the impressive people are those who value themselves and their happiness enough to put in the effort to change and really go after what they want.

 

I've changed my life completely, not because I felt I'd screwed up, but to pursue my ultimate goals and dreams. I completely jumped out of my safety zone and went headlong into a terrifying new world. And frankly I haven't been happier or felt more myself than ever before. Life is good when you take the leap.

You're an intelligent and beautiful woman Bookie, you can truly do anything you choose. If you choose to take a break and just do something fun while working on your masters, I say go for it!

 

How do I CTRL-ALT-DEL these kids out my life without going to prison?

 

By waiting until they turn 18 and shipping them off to university.

I saw this and tried to push that key combination. On a Mac, it just made my web browser go back page by page.

 

I tried to get work in retail early this year because I needed something flexible to work around some family commitments I had - I must have made dozens of applications to supermarkets, department stores, fast food outlets, liquor stores and I didn't get a single bite from any of them.

Either I was:
- too old
- overqualified
- too much professional experience
- OR all of the above

... because I know I could do those jobs with my hands tied behind my back (AND I had extensive retail experience on my resume from my younger years). It was kinda shitty, I thought it would be easy to walk into a job like that, and I've never had trouble finding work.

So, yeah. Something to consider before making any job-quitting decisions.

But other than that - life is too short to do things that aren't making you happy. What's the point otherwise? Make some changes and find your zone!

 

the best time to look for a job is when you already have a job...bookie, i have no idea what you are making at the current job...you have a degree already...why wait for your masters degree to make a change? I recently made a change from a job I loved and took off 2 1/2 months...I turned down several offers until I finally couldn't stand not working...I stayed in the same industry but changed to a different division...this is what I looked for in a new company

1. work life balance: what were my days off, how much travel, how many PTO days + expected work hours per week 40+ or closer to 50/60

2. total compensation package: salary, bonus earning potential + benefits

3. opportunity for advancement/growth

4. stability of the company on a global scale...I had worked for too many mom/pop organizations where you never knew if they were going to sell or fold

I said before when you have complained about your job that it is time to get off the hamster wheel and make a change. I get that change is scary but you aren't living your life. What I will tell you is that one change leads to another change and so on...plan to have quite a few balls in the air for a minute

when you say retail...as if it is a dead end or last resort...if that is how you feel don't do it...find something you love...like books for instance and become an expert...you like to write...why not become a blogger or write for a magazine...you love movies but don't sell yourself short selling popcorn...

make the move to something you love! whatever you do...don't stay where you are any longer than you have to...start looking today!

 

I was forced to ''reboot'' my life due to some major changes by a new law related to my professional domain.Even though I was complaining a lot about my life before this happened,when I had to make a decision,I went through a really hard time feeling lost,insecure and scared;I was ''programmed'' I guess,after so many years working in a certain way that anything new was looking kind of scary.I'm still working in the same domain but in a completely new environment and new conditions;the fact is I'm a lot more relaxed now and although I'm still a little shocked and haven't completely got used to my new life,I'm getting there.
Sometimes changes are for the better and we shouldn't fight them

 

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement and stories.

Change is scary, but necessary.

Whikle, thanks for the reminder about retail. I tried to get a second job in retail a few years ago when they were looking for seasonal holiday help and I filled out several applications and never got a call from any of them.

I spent several years in retail when I was a teenager and into my mid-20s. I became an assistant manager of jewelry and accessories before I quit.

A few reasons for me wanting to go back to retail:

- Exercise. The job requires a lot of walking and standing. Something I actually miss about working in retail and the museum. I hate sitting behind a desk all day.

- I loved the creativity of retail. You wouldn't think that retail would lend itself to creativity, but it does. I loved setting up the jewelry counter and all of the end caps, etc. I didn't even realize the creativity behind it until much later.

- Schedule flexibility - I loved when I had days off of work during the week. You can get more errands accomplished when you have weekdays off.

But, I won't quit my job until I find another job.

Lippy, those are good suggestions. I really should be blogging or something about movies, writing scripts, etc. I've let that part of myself slide. Partially because I didn't have much time to do that stuff with school, but I have two classes left and I'm taking one class at a time, so I will have more time in my week for other activities again.

 

I've changed my goals and jobs many times, because either I was feeling bored, or I wanted to have a new goal, something that challenges me, new. I wouldn't advice anyone to follow that style of life, because it's risky and hard, but I also think that everyone has to do what he/she feels is needed.

Sometimes I can see the advantages people have that are employed and that I have to motivate myself every day again and again as a self-employee, but on the other hand, I could never imagine to work for someone else. Whatever I do, I want to have the money for, I don't like to share with someone else, because of a contract. But as I've mentioned it can be hard.