How do I cope with my work life?

dunno really.. I guess just be glad you have a paying job and stable income..some of us don’t. Maybe look for something else as you have sort of alot of time before you move?

Why stay if you aren’t happy. Personally, if I was as unhappy as you stated, I’d be looking for a new job. Life is to short to be miserable and do nothing about it.

@Seaofclouds I was looking but leaving in April anyway to move away!

April is 7 months away. Besides, you could find a new job that gas options to transfer to other locations for when you move. Or you could find another job that st least gives you an idea of what you would want to do or not want to do once you move. To me, 7 months is a long time to settle for being unhappy. Also, do you have all the details of your move planned already? If not, what’s to say it all happens when you get to April? A lot can happen between now and then.

Sometimes, people like the actual work they do, but their jobs are poisoned by nasty bosses or evil colleagues. Other times, people may not enjoy the work itself, but they have nice co-workers and a good environment.

You get none of the above. Your job is tedious and unfulfilling, and you don’t like the workplace culture.

If I were as unhappy as you are, I’d go elsewhere. Have you tried contacting a temp agency? If you spend the next 7 months working temporary positions, where there’s no expectation of you staying for the long term, you might be much more comfortable. Also, if you get a temp assignment that you really don’t like, the agency can replace you and send you elsewhere – no harm done to any of the parties.

Focus on the work, keep reminding youself it’s temp. We can put up with a lot if we have to.

@SadieMartinPaul That is really good idea, but I can’t travel to different places and keep starting at new places, with different people.

@KNOWITALL Yes, I think that it what I will have to do.

@Headhurts When you say that you can’t travel to different jobsites, are you talking about transportation? I don’t know whether you’re urban or rural. Certainly, a commute’s much less of an issue in a city with extensive mass transit.

As for all the different people, they wouldn’t be any more vested in you than you’d be in them. Everyone knows that the arrangement is temporary, and that there’s no expectation of long-term relationships. It’s a great thing when the people are nice, make you feel comfortable, and treat you well, but they really don’t get attached to you (or vice versa).

@SadieMartinPaul No mental illness.

@Headhurts I think you already know the answer to your question – you’re staying at your job. But, you needed to express yourself, talk it over, and think it through.

You’ll move away in 7 months. Changing jobs – taking a “permanent” position elsewhere, all the while knowing that you’ll leave soon – wouldn’t be fair to either your new employer or yourself.

So, how can you tolerate your current job until April?

- Remember that time can fly by very quickly, especially when you’re planning a major life change. You’re preparing to relocate to a different region; that’s huge, and the plans will occupy your time while the anticipation distracts you.

- The holidays are coming. The holiday season can be fun, and it can really give people a mini-sabbatical from their regular routines. From Halloween through New Years, life is just different and maybe better.

- Keep reminding yourself that you’re a short-timer. Nothing at work matters anymore. No, I’m not suggesting that you slack-off and become irresponsible, just that you find great pleasure in knowing that your situation isn’t forever. There’s an end in sight, and it’ll get closer with each passing day.

- Become the pleasant, agreeable worker who’s friendly, but not a friend, and who’s as quiet and inconspicuous as possible. Don’t turn into Eddie Haskell (nobody likes a suck-up), but be harmless, don’t offend, and don’t provoke strong feelings or hostility (everyone likes that person).

Unless I missed your details on another thread, what is it you don’t like? If it’s your coworkers, then avoid them. If it’s the work, then I suggest you think about what it is that you do like and focus on that. Do you have a supportive boss? Is your job located in an area where you can get out on your breaks and walk around and see some nice things? If it’s in an area where you can see something interesting at lunch, like some museums, some culture, shopping, whatever interests you, that can be helpful as far as making the actual time at work tolerable. Are there people that you deal with that you enjoy chatting with? Try to think of the positives that the job offers.

If there are really zero positives, then I say look for something else, even if it’s only for seven months. Don’t tell the new job it’s only going to be short term, because that will limit your chances of getting hired, and also, who really knows what will happen in the future.

@SadieMartinPaul I’m a good worker. I say yes to everything and let people shit all over me. They all know they can and so they do.

@jca I don’t like the job and what they do, it’s tedious. The odd person are ok in moderation. I go out every lunch time, even if it is to just stand outside. Otherwise I have to sit with people and make conversation. It is a very simple job, just wish I could hand my notice in sooner.

@Headhurts: Then I suggest you do fun stuff in your free time/off days, so you can day dream about the good things while engaged with the tedium.

@Headhurts Your co-workers sound like hideous people. You’ll be so glad to move on and be done with them.

@SadieMartinPaul They’re probably not really. I don’t know. Maybe it’s nice to have someone who never says no. Wish I could sometimes.

Do you already know where you want to move in April? What about starting your job search in that area, if you know where you’re headed. It could give you a bit more to look forward to as the time comes and help the days go by quicker.

@Headhurts: If you can’t say no to doing all the work, then how do you get all of your work done? You must be very overloaded, I imagine.

@Seaofclouds Yes, we are moving to Cornwall. Not quite whereabouts, but in the south somewhere.

@jca It’s not about the work. They ask me to cover, to change hours, to walk their dogs, to clean, to paint. I just say yes, while inside I’m screaming all kinds at them.

It sounds like you should think about the new job and how you want to be treated there. Next time they ask you to do something like change your hours, politely say, “I would like to help you out but unfortunately I have a prior committment. Maybe next time.” And leave it at that.
I, too, am in a position that I do not like. I have less than 1½ yrs to retirement and can not wait. I resent the way people take advantage of the system (I work in state government). Come and go, don’t really care about the quality of work they put out. I have been told that I feel this way because I am a control freak. I think people should earn their paycheck. Why should you do their work unless they are giving you part of their paycheck? Be polite but get the point across that you will say no. Once you say it once, it will be easier to say it the next time. Maybe you are like me and resent people for not doing what is expected of them and they expect you to pick up the slack. Remember, 7 months can go easier if you are less stressed with work and I think if you stand up for yourself, you will find the day goes much smoother. Good luck.

@pooh54, you are exactly right. Thank you.

Compare the reasons on why you should stay vs why you wouldn’t, then compare it to your own feelings. I am personally paying the price of ignoring my own feelings now, situations like this always present themselves in different forms future wise and it’s important to deal with it now as it does affect your being. You will know what to do and what you decide will be best for yourself and your situation.