Career Changes Support Group
This community is dedicated to the difficult challenges of transitioning from one career or job to a new one. Especially as we grow older, it can be very difficult to acquire the skills and relationships and take the financial risk to make the switch.
I've been a lawyer for 16 years. Primarily doing indigent defense work. Mostly children who are abused and neglected as well as criminal work. That is depressing all by itself, then add my own depression.. and boom.
I haven't been happy with my career for about 6 years now. Then I had a severe spell of depression in 2005 and haven't bounced back in my career. I still work, and have to drag myself to do it.
In 2005, I took a job where I made min. wage and tips, and I loved it. I did it part time for about 4 months. But work got busy and I had to give it up, then boom, about 3 months later I was so depressed I was suicidal.
I just don't know what to do with myself. I am looking at changing careers and teaching. I think I would enjoy working with the kids in an educational setting as opposed to court.
Every opportunity I have had to take a full time job, where I am not doing what I am doing now, my mother has stepped in and told me no, don't do it, you won't be happy. Yes, she has run my life and still does, but I think with this recent episode she is figuring out that I have to do something different.
Any other ideas? I have to do something, I am just wasting away, and I am so miserable. I dread work, and have panic attacks just thinking about it. I am damn good at what I do, I just can't do it anymore.
I haven't been happy with my career for about 6 years now. Then I had a severe spell of depression in 2005 and haven't bounced back in my career. I still work, and have to drag myself to do it.
In 2005, I took a job where I made min. wage and tips, and I loved it. I did it part time for about 4 months. But work got busy and I had to give it up, then boom, about 3 months later I was so depressed I was suicidal.
I just don't know what to do with myself. I am looking at changing careers and teaching. I think I would enjoy working with the kids in an educational setting as opposed to court.
Every opportunity I have had to take a full time job, where I am not doing what I am doing now, my mother has stepped in and told me no, don't do it, you won't be happy. Yes, she has run my life and still does, but I think with this recent episode she is figuring out that I have to do something different.
Any other ideas? I have to do something, I am just wasting away, and I am so miserable. I dread work, and have panic attacks just thinking about it. I am damn good at what I do, I just can't do it anymore.
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I have been here before, a long long time ago and now I am back.Forgive me for not just saying what I want to say,even under a triple dose of antidepressants it is still raw and seeping and I am hesitant at revealing it as at least under the bandages around my heart I don,t have to look at how raw and wounded.My child was cleaved from my heart by his own actions. my child of ten,turning eleven...
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
Your passion is where your heart is and in front of you. Teaching is a very important role in people lives, it can make a difference in how they view themselves and others. Just by what you've shared, I can see you as an Advocate, Life Coach,Educator in a Non-Profit agency program that also has For Profit opportunities within the portfolio.
I think that you first must begin your own healing process by loving yourself and accepting your journey. Then by it you can impact other lives, by your personal experiences, because it can lead to a job.
Take a few interest test at the neighborhood workforce center or college, just to see if your interest have changed. Do some Volunteer work, because it can also lead to a job interest as well.
All that I know is that, impacting lives and showing compassion can lead to happiness. Knowing who you are and who you belong to makes the difference in your life.
I hold on the bible truths in Jeremiah 29:11--that God has a plan and purpose in our lives. Once we discover it we can walk into our destiny.
There are alot of hurting people that doesn't believe in themselves and need someone to share their pain, understanding and the way they found their way out of the self-destructive behavior.
So, follow your heart and balance things out before you leave all the way...reducing hours maybe until you discover the direction you want to be in.
Hope this helps.
I'm in my mid 30's and am going back to school, so I understand the fear of starting something new. You CAN do this!!! Hang in there!!
I have survived and my wife says I am a new person, for the better.
Choose to be happy in what you do.