I’m not sure if I’m in the wrong line of work or not or what to do about it..?

6 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 2,2024 at 4:12AM UTC

   What I am hearing is that your values have shifted and that's normal. You're going to be a mom soon! You have so much more to look forward to, get excited about, and plan... of course work can then feel underwhelming. On top of that, your gut is telling you that there's something funny about the culture there that doesn't jive and with your newfound focus on family, the expectations you're observing in your professional environment just no longer align with your value system. Values change when life changes. (Think about people who experience something traumatic and no longer take their life for granted). You're allowed to think and feel those things, and give yourself the grace to understand what excited you before is no longer the same thing that'll get your heart beating now.

   If you can hold on a few more months, your plan sounds like a good one. It'll be a good to take away time and do some reflection on your value system, see if you can find your "ikigai".

   It doesn't have to be one or the other. You don't have to quit or not quit. Some people are able to go to work, do their work, and go home everyday without attaching any emotional energy to it. They go home at peace with the fact "it's just a job" and focus their efforts to the things they value and bring them joy. Like their family, or volunteering for a cause bigger than themselves, or hobbies that fill their happiness bucket, or even just laser focused on a personal goal (this is the swipe-in, swipe-out method and you can apply this for your entire career or at least temporarily while job hunting).

   I would say what's important right now is that you focus on your boundaries. Your non-negotiables. You are not going to take 1 more case, or work past 5, or be on-call during the weekends. Above all else, you need to protect your mood and energy. Those are the things you need to keep sacred until your leave, otherwise you will definitely fall into this the trap of the 'workplace politics' and the anxiety and fear that's starting to generate. Keep clarity if mind and shift your focus to planning parenthood and celebrating your son's upcoming arrival into the world's!

2. AnonymousNovember 2,2024 at 3:33PM UTC

   First, what you feel is typical given all you have said in this post. The transition you are facing of becoming a mom is a massive change for you, which is scary enough. You don't need to add the stresses of work on top of that, but that is normal, too. It sounds like you are having a bit of burnout, so if you have an EAP at work, you may want to see if you could get a couple of counseling sessions there to help you process everything. Then, your plan to take the time during your maternity leave to reflect and decide what you want to do next is spot on. There is no shame in wanting to be or being a SAHM, and you should never apologize for that. It is one of life's choices; if it works for you and your family, those are the only opinions that count. If it doesn't work (which you stated it wouldn't), you can make the best of it by setting boundaries and striving to keep a good work/life balance.

3. AnonymousNovember 3,2024 at 11:42PM UTC

   Balance your work with volunteer work. Something you're passionate about that fills you with connection. You can't always get everything from a job.

   Another suggest would be identify nonprofits that speak to you. Then try and land a role there.

4. Tina MorenoNovember 4,2024 at 2:02PM UTC

   First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! It’s beautiful that this journey is bringing you so much clarity about what matters most to you. As you reflect on these big life changes, remember that these feelings of apathy or disconnection from work often come up when we’re at a crossroads, especially when significant life events like motherhood are around the corner.

   It sounds like the role you're currently in doesn’t align with the vision you’re starting to have for your future. The idea of working in a way that allows for balance and doesn’t drain you to the point of compromising family life is incredibly valid. In fact, your experience of watching a supervisor “crack under pressure” and a colleague feel the weight of a promotion is giving you an important perspective on what you don’t want, which is valuable career insight. Recognizing this now helps you avoid pursuing paths that would lead to burnout or disillusionment.

   Staying at your current job through your maternity leave is a wise decision financially and for the practical benefits it can provide. Maternity leave offers an ideal time to pause, recalibrate, and truly assess what you want next. When you return, you may feel renewed energy or even find more clarity about your desire to transition into something else or balance work and motherhood differently.

   Given your evolving goals, you might consider exploring flexible or part-time options post-maternity leave that align more closely with your personal values. Many organizations today are more open to remote work, reduced schedules, and roles focused on work-life balance—especially since they recognize that supporting employees' personal lives leads to happier, more productive team members. And it’s worth noting that feeling drawn to a more family-oriented lifestyle isn’t betraying your gender; it’s about aligning with your values. Every career path is deeply personal, and pursuing a setup that feels right for you and your family is a strength, not a limitation.

   You could also look into roles or companies that have a supportive culture around family and well-being. Many organizations are increasingly embracing DEIB principles that don’t just benefit employees on paper but genuinely support employees’ lives outside of work. Connecting with others can also be invaluable in exploring the paths other women have taken to balance career and family.

   Above all, know that it’s normal to reevaluate your career path at this stage, and there’s no one “right” way forward. Trust your instincts—they’re leading you toward a path that aligns with your true priorities. Wishing you all the best as you prepare for this exciting new chapter!

5. AnonymousNovember 5,2024 at 5:40PM UTC

   You said it yourself priority is your upcoming family addition. Stay in the role and remain and IC vs a SUPE and do so again when you return to work. Managing isn't always the best option for everyone. Congrats.

6. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachNovember 6,2024 at 12:56PM UTC

   Hi ! Congrats on your first baby! From what you have said, I think you are taking the right approach for yourself. Stay where you are and get the benefit of maternity leave and reevaluate after baby is here. That said, you can still make progress towards another job as the process can take months for hiring. I'd suggest starting to network now with people at companies you'd like to be at - or roles you'd like to have next - through Linkedin so when you come back from maternity leave you have "hot leads" .. relationships and connections with people you can reach back out to concerning open positions and opportunities. Are you actively networking now? Best of luck mamma to be !