Quit my job

[451Mopar]

I quit my job of 11-years yesterday. Am I crazy?
Non-automotive, software related job that had good pay and benefits, buy I lost my passion for it.
Went to a therapist yesterday and she thinks that when I started getting sick a few years ago (was having sinus infections, headaches, and bad side effects from meds) that I started having depression.
I could get another good job doing the same type of work, but my heart is not in it.
I would like to try my hand working in a machine shop.
Right now, I'm not concerned about having a paying job.
I just would like to see if I enjoy the work?
When I was working at the transmission/exhaust shop years ago, I liked the hands on type of work.

Any suggestions?

Thanks all.

 

[eldubb440]

congrats.....when one door closes, 3 others open up

 

[BeeKool]

Perhaps you could get a job turning wrenches

 

[snakeyes]

good luck in your venture hope you find a job that you like to work in ,when you work for a job that has no loner a interest for you then that becomes bad for you , maybe be take a break for a bit and look real good at the job market in your area ,it will come around

 

[ksurfer2]

I am in the same boat....just wish I had the guts to quit! I have a great job...make 6 figures, but no longer have any passion for what I do. I would be happy making half what I do now, just doing something I loved!

 

[Dibbons]

I quit a four year stint with the United States Border Patrol. That caused quite a financial set back and i've been roaming around lost ever since. But being the only one in an office of over 200 agents that was trying to religiously apply immigration law, it was just too frustrating. But the idea of playing Hide and Seek, Cops and Robbers, and Cowboys and Indians and getting paid for it sure was fun while it lasted. (foto: circa 1985 USBP office El Paso, Texas)

Thanks to a generous Great Aunt, I now have the leisure of restoring three old Mopars and I feel I am right back in my element (used to bracket race a '65 273 Abody).

 

[alsant]

Good luck ! I’ve been a electrician for over 30 yrs. now and I think of doing what you did for a while now. Hope you get your passion back for what ever you decide to do.

 

[threewood]

 

[MarPar]

 

[MarPar]

Bastard! beat me by 30 seconds! lol

 

[Gone]

I am in the same boat....just wish I had the guts to quit! I have a great job...make 6 figures, but no longer have any passion for what I do. I would be happy making half what I do now, just doing something I loved!

Exactly my situation for the last year except I did something about it. Today is my last day on this job (my 2nd retirement). My next job will be part time, no responsibility, and no travel...stress free.

 

[GetX'd]

I never quit a job without having another one - but I had been burned out and had lost the passion at different times - I found that switching companies gave we a chance to be reborn so to speak and gave me new life at what I did. I initially wanted to retire at 50 and fought to get there mentally then found I was too young to,retire. Moved companies and got my passion back. Several times. I was in the insurance business for 33 years. Bailed out for good at 58 after having a heart attack. It was at that point I lost it for good and quit. I suffered from depression that I know was job related too. I took a year off at a time - tried a different career in a loosely related industry - hated it. I needed to get back in the juice of my insurance career. Sometimes it takes a little experimentation to find your way. But a little advice - don’t wait too long or you can become unemployable in your field. Good luck and get better - first order of business.

 

[Dibbons]

If quitting a job after 11 years is crazy, then I must be ...?

Job List 1968-2008 (22 total to date)

Fruit Picker
Chevron Service Station Attendant
Perry Boys Smorgy Restaurant Kitchen Worker
Unload Cargo Trucks “Lumper”
Box Company Yard Worker
Security Guard
Warehouse Order Picker
California Highway Patrol Officer
Messenger
Security Guard
United States Border Patrol Agent
Armored Truck Driver/Guard
Bank Teller
Bank Teller (different institution)
Casino Cashier
County Health Clinic Office Staff
Mobile Auto Repair Mechanic/Owner
Cattle Ranch Manager/Cowboy
Armored Truck Driver/Guard
Security Guard
Used Car Lot Driver
Armored Truck Driver/Guard

 

[PeteBell68]

I quit my job of 11-years yesterday. Am I crazy?
Non-automotive, software related job that had good pay and benefits, buy I lost my passion for it.
Went to a therapist yesterday and she thinks that when I started getting sick a few years ago (was having sinus infections, headaches, and bad side effects from meds) that I started having depression.
I could get another good job doing the same type of work, but my heart is not in it.
I would like to try my hand working in a machine shop.
Right now, I'm not concerned about having a paying job.
I just would like to see if I enjoy the work?
When I was working at the transmission/exhaust shop years ago, I liked the hands on type of work.

Any suggestions?

Thanks all.

Take a moment to hopefully understand what and why you quit . Hopefully you can find something you enjoy doing while getting paid .
I'd like to race bikes cars or build cool stuff but needing a job gets in the way .
Your health is number one remember the companies you work for really only care about productivity so now you have a chance for you terms .
Good for you good luck it takes guts ..

 

[ksurfer2]

I have been working with the same agency for over 20 years. Started here as a part timer while I was in college. Now a department head. Not a hard job, lots of security, good money, great benefits so it is tough to leave. I have literally, spent my entire adult life working here. Fear of the outside world is a little daunting and really keeps me from leaving! Do you guys charge by the hours for career/mental health counselling? Or is this all free???

 

[kiwigtx]

Good luck ! I’ve been a electrician for over 30 yrs. now and I think of doing what you did for a while now. Hope you get your passion back for what ever you decide to do.

Same here...being an Electrician coming up 36 years now....had numerous jobs, and I never stayed out of work long enough to get worried. My wife has a real stable job - just turned 20 years yesterday....and she earns a crap-load more than I could ever do. It never used to be that way, but I'm not complaining.

My last job ended when they bitched and moaned about me 'shouting' my two colleagues dinner after a hell 3 -night week away from home. We had 5 drinks between us and a decent meal - not over the top and not unprecedented by any means by company standards. I used my Company Credit Card to pay, and that's where the **** hit the fan. Those drinks started my 'manager' on a spiral to rip into me, and mostly because he had taken heat via me earlier on the job. So he had this personal vendetta built up over the couple of days, and caused me all sorts of grief. So, I went in to work after Easter, and said "I Quit." Told them to stick the job. At my "Exit Interview" I gave nothing away.....but when I went back there 2 weeks ago collect a motor I bought for a job at my new work....I bumped into the prick who caused me to leave. He wanted to shake my hand, but I refused, and simply told him straight to his face "You're the reason I left in the first place" He then asked me to move my van out of the handicap space....I said NO. In the years I worked there, I never saw a handicapped person visit the place. All this from the prick who I helped emigrate from the UK 11 years ago, with his family, and get him a job arranged - the job he still has.

Ahhhh....that's better.

To the OP ....don't sweat the break if it doesn't affect your lifestyle in the short term. happiness is more important. I have had plenty of breaks between jobs...it makes starting a new job a lot easier - you don't feel stale on the first day.

 

[YY1]

You might try PC hardware or communications.

A lot of your skill set will transfer over and they are more hands on.

You can always do hands on work in your own time, like I do.

A good paying job sure can fund some shop projects.

...plus you are in control of how dirty your hands get.

 

[dryheat]

Non-automotive, software related job that had good pay and benefits, buy I lost my passion for it.

Having been in IT for 40+ years I can certainly sympathize with your loss of passion. There were many time when I just HATED what I was doing ... but I just keep doing it. How does that old saying go ... if you repeat the same behavior over and over and expect a different result your crazy! You changed your behavior so you are most certainly NOT crazy.

Congratulations!

 

[Riverdawg]

Been in IT for 30+ years. Last 21 with the same company. Good company to work for most of the time. Been up and downs as I'm sure many people have with there employment. I too have had times that I REALLY didn't care for what I was doing. I'm still there and the company has made lots of improvements with financial and other incentives so it would be very hard to leave, especially at my age. I adapt, maybe not as easily as in the past but I still do. If I could afford to, I'd retire and go help and learn from my brother playing with muscle cars and trucks. Maybe someday.

To the OP, like you said take some time and see if you can do some work in an area that sounds interesting and see if you find some passion in something new. Good luck!!

 

[biomedtechguy]

I started working at 14, part time, only a few hours, but it developed responsibility and reward.
I have had a wide spectrum of jobs, when I was younger 99% physical, 1% mental because I was well educated and smart, physical labor let me develop my body and see how "the other half lived", work hard-play harder.
There were a few jobs that I was eventually fired from because of "play hard"...I was worried thinking "Man, that's the best job you ever had, you really screwed up, what now??" Almost always something better came along.
In 1990 I started selling appliances and electronics, then started doing installation of some of the audio/video gear I sold-payed well and was great to be at the point of fruition-when everything I envisioned came "to life". Smiles all around. Also it was more of a balance of intellect and physical labor, and as I got older, that was smart. Ultimately had my theater room and a client's room published in a magazine! Had my own A/V business too.
In 2009 decided after research to do 2 years of community college for a degree in medical equipment service and repair. 6 months with GE, and that was 2 months more than I needed to know me and "corporate America" were not a good match-*** kissing inferior techs was not my forté, and corporate ladder climbing using my neck or others' necks as the rungs to put feet on to advance was just disgusting to me, not to mention backstabbing, and all for WHAT? So I could sell my life away by the hour for 20 years just to be pushed out in year 18 or 19 by being **** on in exchange for my loyalty so they could screw me out a pension? No f'n way! Went to work for a privately owned medical equipment service and repair business, advanced vertically because of my skill, came to realize that I had been doing 90% of all work required for the business to operate and the other 10% I could figure out. After 3 some years got back to an empty office-as usual-and brought all company owned items in, put them in the office, key on the desk, and locked the door on my way out. Texted the owner "I quit". Next morning incorporated and insured my own company and started calling and visiting clients. This July 1st will be 3 years in business and I THANK GOD and my clients for the financial and personal blessings that has brought to me. This is my last job, and I couldn't be happier!
You will be fine 451 Mopar, try to find work that 1: pays for your needs. 2: that you ENJOY and look forward to doing more than you loathe. 3: pays for your wants/desires. 4: won't be threatened by a major downturn in the economy. 5: (if possible) will still be viable in case of a Zombie Apocalypse