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15 Comments

1. Sherice StewartMarch 6,2024 at 8:23PM UTC

   Be a consultant or start your own business using your skills.

2. AmandaMarch 6,2024 at 8:27PM UTC

   I’m 44 & have been in a career that involves hustle & uncertainty & high levels of stress for almost 20 years. The pay is good but I’ve started working with a career change coach to help me figure out what might be next!

3. AnonymousMarch 6,2024 at 8:28PM UTC

   Of course! There are so many of us, especially with all the numbskulls who discriminate against people over what, 40 now? I think it's because they lack EI, social skills and can barely talk to their peers. We could run these companies! At my career stage, I am also not tolerating toxic leaders or co-workers, anymore. I would advise employers to get their act together. It's not a one-way street. The world has changed.

4. JJMarch 6,2024 at 9:37PM UTC

   When you find the answer, please, please, please share! Jumping through hoops for crazy people’s affection was peak 25 for me. Now I could not care less.

5. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 1:39PM UTC

   I’m right there with you. I’m considering taking a receptionist job or something much lesser in responsibility. I’m tired of the hussle, and the rat race. I’m tired of people not doing their jobs but wanting you to jump through hoops for them.

6. Rocky ZMarch 9,2024 at 3:26PM UTC

   It seems regardless of the position as long as its within a corporation (especially ) expect a lot of the same

7. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 5:51PM UTC

   It's definitely time to rethink your final or next chapter. Take time out of each day during a 30 minute break to do something new, something that challenges you differently or recharges your batteries in a way that you feel inspired. Keep a spreadsheet of what you do. Also make a list of what you hate in a specific list, and what you love in each role that you have had. Use this as a point of measurement for what to mark any new opportunities against. Make this time be about you not anything else. Do it for perhaps 90 days and at the end of that time reassess what you want and need. Perhaps some of what you are experiencing is burnout and some is boredom after all the time in the workforce. Find your purpose and aim for what you need at this point in time.

8. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 2:46PM UTC

   I was laid off in 2020 and I did not want to stop working so I took on a couple of temporary consulting positions and then I tried working in retail and I kept looking for a part-time position which I eventually landed. I work two days a week and I’m very happy and I volunteer one day a week, go online look at every job posted and you’ll find what you’re looking for. It may take a couple of interviews. It may take a couple of jobs in between, but I now am very content and have no desire either to go back and work in the corporate world, which, even in the last two or three years has become unbearable. In a lot of cases. Good luck to you.

9. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 4:59PM UTC

   i am feeling exactly like you I am 62 and have been in corporate jobs for the most part since 22. Yes, tired of the hustle, office politics as well. If health insurance wasn’t so dang expensive on the Exchange

   and I wasn’t still paying on a mortgage, I would start my own business in a heartbeat.

   Working with a career coach may help. Think back to what you enjoyed doing when you are younger. Can you pursue a job that allows you to do that now?

   Good luck!

   k

10. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 6:44PM UTC

    I wish this was a part of our collective health insurance dialogue. I’m earlier in my career, but feel the same way. If I could buy quality coverage for a reasonable price on the healthcare exchange I would have started my own business already.

    The cost of non-employer health insurance is so high, it make a much higher barrier to entry for anyone with health needs. How many great ideas and additional GDP and taxes are we losing out on because people don’t start businesses due to health insurance costs?

11. Pamela BendallMarch 9,2024 at 7:18PM UTC

    I too worked in a toxic office for 20 yrs. I decided it was not fair to my husband or children. I quit and ran a office, from my home. It has been heavenly. I did this for 15 yrs. And only stopped because of covid. Now he and i are retired.

12. AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 12:47PM UTC

    Curious what type of office work did you run from home and how did you do it?

13. AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

    I’m finding that now when I see postings of what I’ve done for the past umpteen years I feel the same way. I just don’t have the stamina anymore to play the games and hustle and work the long hours anymore. The managers are garbage now and have no clue how to treat their workforces and I’m so damn tired of it all. I’m so there with you!

14. Tami L CannizzaroMarch 12,2024 at 3:18PM UTC

    I hear you! And I believe this happens to even the best of us; even people like me who are always competitive and hustled from day 1 to achieve. I had the - let's call it "opportunity" to step out on my own when mom had health issues as I needed a flexible schedule to help her. I had been considering it and dabbling in it on the side for a while; this forced the issue. Not gonna lie; it's frightening and takes money and time to build a business. But it has been totally rewarding. I took a part-time retail job nights and weekends to provide steady income while getting things going. Funny thing is, I've kept this fun little job as it gets me out of the house AND I actually make business connections while working.

    Some ideas for you to consider: In addition to what others have said about considering what you enjoy doing, look at your skills; what are you good at? With your skills, what kind of value could you bring to another organization and make an impact right away? Like, are you a great project manager (even if you don't know the business, you could learn that). In my new line of work I've got non-profit clients and these organizations hire former corporate workers with the skills we have. Granted, the pay is less. But you may find something you both enjoy and are passionate about at the same time.

    Just throwing something out there to help you get started thinking maybe in a different direction. :-)

15. AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 4:01PM UTC

    Definitely feeling the same! I haven't worked in 7 months and am now looking to start my own business. After countless hours of research, I decided what I want to do and it is less than $500 to start so I'm going to give it my all for the next year.

    Every call I have had with a recruiter or hiring manager has left me feeling sick to my stomach to think of doing the corporate thing again. I had a recruiter contact me for a job yesterday and I almost lost myself for a second when I heard the job description. Are they desperate to fill their opening? Or, are they just reaching out me and thinking that I am desperate to take it? Either way, I keep telling myself that it's just not my thing anymore. I've got to do what is best for me and my mental and physical health.

    For proposed next steps, I recommend you 1) write down what your ideal lifestyle looks like; 2) identify which of these you would keep if you didn't go back to Corporate America; 3) from list #1, identify which of these you would lose but miss if you didn't go back to Corporate America; 4) identify what career path would make you happiest; and 5) research the heck out of it and begin.

    Important: Don't consider anyone but yourself when you do this exercise. It must be about you being completely honest with yourself. I promise it will pay off.

    Good luck to you!