I need a pep talk..
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
July 7, 2011 10:54am CST
Or words of inspiration or something.. just help me!!
Ok, so I've been a stay at home mom for over 8 years, only working small, part time jobs now and then, which never lasted long. Needless to say, through these years we've been so broke it's painful. We've almost always been behind on our bills and never had extra money to actually enjoy ourselves. I'm sure you understand the feeling because there are many people in this same position.
Well earlier this year I got sick of it. I decided something had to give. So I started looking for work, and in the process ended up signing up for school so that someday in the near future I can have a good job and not just a measley part time thing.
So, since this past January I've been taking online classes to get my Associate's Degree, and I'm working part-time at Subway. Sure it's not a glamorous job.. but it's a job and it's money.
Well, lately I've been wanting to quit. I'm tired, I'm burned out, I am fighting too hard and not getting much in return right now.
I now dread going into work, and while I"m there I absolutely hate it. I'm sick of waiting on customers, I'm sick of the work involved, I'm just sick of it. I don't want to do any of it anymore.
I'm afraid that one of these days I'm going to quit, and I just can't do that. I need this job. Not just any job.. but this job! At least until the end of summer.
Perhaps when school starts up again for the kids I can find a day job doing something more similar to what I'll be doing when I graduate from school. But at this time I just can't do something like that because I can't afford the child care for all 5 kids all day long. When they're in school I'll only need to pay child care for 1 child and perhaps a bit of after school child care.
I really can't find a different job for the time being either. Part of the reason I took this job was to show long-term employment. Well.. as it is if I quit by the end of summer I will have only been employed for 6 or 7 months, that's not really long-term. So quitting now and finding a different job will not look good on my resume. I need to keep this job so I can show my future employers that I can stick with it, even when I may not want to.
Besides all that, the money is really helpful. I may only earn less than $200 a week, but that's the extra money we've always needed to ensure we can stay on top of the bills, feed the kids, and still have a bit extra for those added expenses that pop up out of no where like minor car repairs or whatever.. it also helps us have a little bit of fun. For instance a few months ago I used my paychecks to register my kids for summer camp. Next week the older 3 will spend the entire week away at camp, overnights and all. They're very excited!
So this job is super important in so many ways. Basically I need to just stop being miserable about it. I need to find that motivation I had back a few months ago to stick with it and not want to quit.
Please help me like my job again so I'm not so tempted to quit!
What do you do when you get sick of your job and feel like quitting?
12 people like this
26 responses
@Jelminrie (358)
• Philippines
8 Jul 11
Hi,
We may be at the same shoes, I mean, Sick and tired of our Job, well im working here for almost 5 years now, I don't like many of our practices here, in short not blessed but I always asked myself where to go when i quit I am actually thinking of that for almost 5 years now, heheh, yes i really don't like the job and the managers well the environment of my job is interesting, only the management i do not like, I learned to like it when i got used to the feeling of quitting, i just cried out to God to heal my heart, fix it, open it to see good things about this job, feel better, and at least be a blessing, Now I am working it out, Everyday is different. All i can say is you must pray to God and ask Him to guide you, give you wisdom to stand and have patience, and prepeare to for the next level, I am waiting for my next level I hope, you look forward for your next level, that is when you finished your associate's degree. Take your present job as an experience. GOD BLESS YOU.PRAY TO BE A BLESSING that can help it can give you inspiration, on everyday situation at work how can you ba a good blessing to your costumer...
2 people like this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
9 Jul 11
I had one job I hated that worked at for about 6 years. I was constantly looking for other jobs and I was working a part time job in a grocery store and going to school online as well. I was so happy when I was able to find a different full time job, but that turned out to not be so great because they wouldn't allow me to go out on disasters like my previous job had. I stayed in that job for a little over a year until I got a job teaching English in China. Sometimes you just have to change the way you look at a job instead of quitting. Try to make it a game! It could become fun! Have a great weekend!
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
7 Jul 11
I think you just did the best thing you can do: you reminded yourself of exactly why you're ladling greasy meat into sandwiches all day (!!) and you ranted about it.
Get it out of your system. Go into a quiet room away from the kids, stick your head under a pillow and scream "I hate Subway! I hate Subway! I hate Subway!"
Then laugh at how silly you feel with a pillow on your head. Laugh at all the pointless repetition you go through every day. Laugh at the customers (not to their faces) who spill mayonnaise down their suit. Laugh at the fact that you're thinking "Are we there yet?" about your job, just like your kids do whenever they're on a car journey.
Above all, smile and laugh at the fact that - after 8 years - your kids are excited about something YOU paid for with your sweat and tears. Grit your teeth for a little longer. You're almost there!
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jul 11
LOL.. your post made me laugh a little bit.
I did feel slightly better after writing this post. I did remind myself why it's important to keep my job. And the ranting and venting did help a bit.
I may need to do that a few more times before the end of the summer!
2 people like this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
8 Jul 11
I don't mind the customers at my job. They come in and they leave fairly quickly. They may not always be the friendliest, but at least you don't have to put up with them too long. My main problem is the idiots I work with. Most of them I get along with, but there is this one manager that is causing me grief. He has a problem with how well I get along with my boss. He has no problem bringing it up and being a jerk about it. He has made me want to quit a few times, but I have to take a step back and realize that he is not worth it. It is not worth the effort to be mad at him or let him bother me. I still have to work on not letting his childish nature get to me. It is not as easy as I would like for it to be. The fact that I really need the money is another thing that keeps me from quitting. Since I dropped down to the one job for the sake of my sanity things have been a lot tighter and I can't afford to let this job go right now. A boss that is well...you know helps that too.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jul 11
I have to deal with a few immature people I'm not really crazy about myself. Thankfully I don't have to see them everyday, but with it being summer, I do see them more often than I'd like. I just have to try to get through one day at a time, one shift at a time.. and just keep going in. That's all that matters.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jul 11
A small part of the issue is that money has been tight again lately. Couple months ago all our bills were paid like 2 weeks early and it felt great and we still had loads of spending money. Then things got tight, we took money out of 2 savings accounts, bills are being paid on their due date just barely. I had even saved up about $100 to use as spending cash at the State Fair then had to use all of that. I meant to pay myself back but haven't yet.
So seeing what the money is doing for us isn't really helping at the moment..
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Hi kats! I think that what you're feeling is pretty much the normal
feelings people have about alot of jobs after awhile. I know that
I had so many jobs that I hated, but had to stay at because I
was alone and the only person to take care of myself for most
of my life. I really had some seriously miserable jobs, abusive
bosses and horrendous co-workers! I did "get myself fired" or
sort of so I could at least collect unemployment when things
got too much to handle. But, as the economy got worse, so did
the jobs. My last "real" job at a legal firm almost cost me
my sanity and I mean that literally! You really have to just
give yourself the "pep talk" about how you really need the job,
the money and not give a damn about the rest! Think of the "pros"
and what you're getting out of it and know that it's not for
much longer and maybe that will help you deal with the days
you "hate it" just a little bit less.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jul 11
I've never really been good at sticking with jobs when I stopped liking them. I've pretty much quit every job I've ever had after just a few months. I'd say it's a miracle I've kept this job for as long as I have.
Part of the problem is that it all feels too routine. I have to do the same thing every single day. I sometimes start to wonder, what is the point?
But that's pretty much the case with any job, isn't it? It all gets to be monotonous after awhile. Guess I better just numb myself up and deal with it! LOL
1 person likes this
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
8 Jul 11
I have a poster of this poem, posted on the door to my basement.
http://www.thedontquitpoem.com/
It puts nice music to the great poem.
We all have our bad days, just remember, an opportunity can be found in any challenge.
Sincerely and With Appreciation.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Thank you. I have watched it and will try to remember its words of wisdom. :)
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
7 Jul 11
Eventually, I quit, but that is not the right choice for you right now. I think typing this discussion has been you giving a pep talk to yourself and you have laid out all the reasons to hold on to the job. How long is it until school starts? Is there a person that makes you hate your job? I think you would like to be doing more things with your kids perhaps. I know we have not seen you around much for awhile, is it stress, or being busy?
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jul 11
Yes, just writing about it did help a bit. I don't really think it is any person in particular, though there are a few college kids who are making certain shifts not as easy as they used to be. Plus business is picking up so that means added pressure at work where it used to be a lot more easy going.
I think it's a big combination of a lot of things.. I want more time for myself and my family.. but I'm busy non-stop all the time with school and work and trying to keep the kids occupied in between all that.
I have been feeling a ridiculous amount of stress.. probably self-induced. A few months ago I was proud of what I was doing.. now I'm just tired of it and wishing it would let up a bit.
School basically just ended here.. so another 2 months until it starts up again!
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Hang in there. You have done a decent job already stating why you shouldn't quit. And you have been through a few 
other things that have made you more miserable than this job. Tie a knot in the rope and hang on. Picture the customers in their undies, or whatever. It's not that long..in the grand scheme of things, and then you can just add it your list of things you accomplished. Lady, you ARE raising 5 kids! YOU CAN DO THIS and probably stand on your head too!
other things that have made you more miserable than this job. Tie a knot in the rope and hang on. Picture the customers in their undies, or whatever. It's not that long..in the grand scheme of things, and then you can just add it your list of things you accomplished. Lady, you ARE raising 5 kids! YOU CAN DO THIS and probably stand on your head too!1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jul 11
LOL.. Thanks.
See that's not really the problem.. I know I can do it.. I just don't really want to anymore. This discussion has helped a bit though. I've got my priorities back in line and know what I want again. Guess that's what I really needed.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
7 Jul 11
I think you answered your own question my friend. You need this job to show you are employable and stable. You need this job to do some things you were not able to do before including keeping current on your bills. And lastly my Dear... the college girls giving you a headache will be gone in a few weeks. Put on the biggest fake smile you can my dear, we all have to eventually if not more days than we'd like.
And I want you to keep your grades up! You've done very well with your schooling as well. Honestly that's another reason beyond not knowing what I'd like to go back for is that I don't know that I could stick to it or smart enough to go out and get a Batchelors in something.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jul 11
LOL.. I almost forgot they go back earlier than my kids do.. they'll be gone sometime in August, won't they? Woohoo!
Now I'm starting to wonder if maybe it is the college girls causing all this stress? Granted I really don't have to see them everyday, but they do make me dread going into work when I know they're on. I mean, you know the one is a total pima.. but the other is just so overdramatic and thinks the world revolves around her. She also thinks there's this huge conspiracy at work and everyone is against her. Just a half an hour of talking to her is enough to make a person wish they weren't working there.
It's not always easy to keep my head up.. but I will try. I don't have many other options at the moment!
1 person likes this
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
7 Jul 11
When I start to feel like I want to quit, I guess I always think of the good things of the job and just focus on those elements even if there are not many and I think about how much harder it would be without the job! I know it doesn't help much but, I hope you start to feel better soon about your job! x
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jul 11
I just keep hoping I'll get over the feeling eventually.
1 person likes this
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
8 Jul 11
I may be a very different person from you because I do not want to get my motivation from other people. Not even from members of my family. I always give motivation to myself in order to survive my day-to-day tasks and the challenges that come along with these tasks. I do not want to wait for anyone to pep me. So my simple advise is, just get that motivation from your own self. You just have to keep on telling yourself that you are doing it for your family, that a lot of people actually hate their work but just stick to it because it is important that they have some source of income. You need to train yourself to always look at the good side of your work. This might be hard to do, but it can be done.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
8 Jul 11
Oh, don't be like that to your job. Love your job, because it's what's helping you and your husband meet most of your bills now. Just be happy that you have a job. There's dignity in labor, just think of that.
Sure it's not as good as what you are aiming for, but for now ,just be happy with it. Make friends with everyone in the company. Put on a happy face and be friendly.
If you enjoy working with your fellow workers and your clients, you will also eventually love your job and be inspired going to work everyday.
Have a happy disposition my friend, and be thankful you have a job.
1 person likes this
@emilyn1997 (171)
• United States
7 Jul 11
I know what you mean. Doing the same thing everyday and dealing with people can drive you crazy.
I done daycare when my kids were younger. I had 8 of them so for me to work outside the home was not an option. I know there were times I thought I was going to loose my mind. Every so often I would just take a break for a few weeks and not watch anyone's children but mine.
My suggestion is talk to your boss and see if you can get sometime off. Say a week or two. Just explain to them how you are feeling. A small break can make a big different.
Have a Blessed Day!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jul 11
I don't get paid for time off, so that doesn't really help too much.
@edb225112 (124)
• United States
7 Jul 11
Anyone can do anything as long as a) there is a time limit on the job) and B) the desire to achieve something more important.
You have a time limit in place. Once the kids go back to school you can find something else. Two months? What is that 40 shifts at most? Anyone can endure 40 more attempts at something if the outcome is important. And you have a desire to achieve something more hence the reason for going to school. What the problem is, is you have tasted the future and don't want to wait for it. Being an adult is having patients to do what is needed to achieve a goal. Think of the great skills you are teaching your children. If something is worth while, it is something to work for, sacrifice for and achieve. You hate your job because it is not the new job. Right now you are looking at the parts of the job you don't like. Stop that. Look at the parts of the job you like. Make the most of those parts. Show your children what it is to be a productive adult. Find a positive reason to go to work each day if it is only because there is only one less day to do this job.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jul 11
Yeah, I think you're right. Just count down the days and look at the positives. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
16 Jul 11
"I need to keep this job so I can show my future employers that I can stick with it, even when I may not want to."
Doesn't this say a lot? If this doesn't motivate you, I don't know what will. However, I'll give it a shot anyway...
My job deals with a lot of crap...literally. I work in a kennel taking care of dogs, so I'm always cleaning up after them. It is a physically demanding job (maybe not as physical as my husband's job was, but still, it's pretty darn physical), not to mention it can be dangerous. Although the dogs I've cared for are relatively sweet, some are a little crazy too. In the short time I've been there I've fallen, gotten scratched up, and I even been bit (the dog who did this was playing, it was not done out of aggression). The smell can be rather unpleasant too. But it's a job. And it's the only one I have at the moment.
Anyway, try taking it one day at a time. And remember to be glad to have a job. It may not be glamorous (mine's even less so), but with it being so hard to get a job, we should consider ourselves lucky to even have one...no matter how measly they are. 
LOL
I hope this helped.
Happy mylotting!
LOL
I hope this helped.
Happy mylotting!@sacmom (14192)
• United States
18 Jul 11
I know what you mean. Just try to think of the positives it brings (like the extra income) and hopefully it'll help you get through each and every day. 
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Jul 11
Ew, that sucks! Sorry!
Yes, I know there are a lot of jobs out there worse than mine. I guess it's just this time of year. I feel like I'm missing out on a lot by working. Like Saturday. I picked the kids up from camp and we went to the pool in the afternoon, then rushed home to make dinner so I could go to work. If I wasn't working we could have stayed at the pool and had a nice evening.
I know the money is helping and I wouldn't be able to do anything without my job since my job is what pays for our fun stuff, like the kids going to camp and our pool membership and the movie and dinner we went out to yesterday.
I'm just getting burned out a bit and tired of doing my particular job. Some days are harder than others to get myself geared up for going into work.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
7 Jul 11
Put on your big girl panties & stop thinking about quitting a job that may not be glamours but it is a job & it is helping u & your family to have better things such as the camp for the kids.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
7 Jul 11
no matter how bad it gets just be sure you are lucky to have a job at all. my daughter in florida does the very same job you do. subway. she cant hardly make her bills and theres times they dont have enough food in the house. just think of all the good you are doing for your family and appreciate yourself. 
my daughters bf and oldest son is living with her. she gets rides because she cant get her car fixed yet or she walks almost 2 miles. her bf or son neither one has been able to find a job so she has no option to quit. at least you have help. 
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
9 Jul 11
I think your kids going to camp, all paid for by a job you're starting to hate, is pep talk enough! It might feel bad now, but I'm sure you'll forget this feeling when they return and see the excited faces they have. They'd have something to treasure, and it's all because of your hardwork.
And don't forget, reward yourself. I think that with all these hard work, you need a little bit of reward too. Maybe that will help give you a 'second-wind'.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Funny.. the best reward I can give myself is buying something for my children. Isn't it odd how that works? I know I've been able to do a lot more than I used to. I'm able to go to thrift stores on a weekly basis and buy a little bit of clothes for us.. where as just doing that much used to be a treat. I'm also buying extra things at Walmart each week when I do my grocery shopping. Like for the past few weeks I've been working on buying some things the kids need for camp. It used to be just spending a couple bucks over my budget could be detremental to our finances.. heck, some weeks just grocery shopping was detremental to our finances. It's definitely gotten a little easier than it used to be, all because I'm bringing in an extra $100 or so a week. I guess I just forget sometimes to look at it that way.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Hi Katsmeow! Welcome to the world of burn out. I read some of you earlier discussions about working before I responded. I saw where you were working your days off. I saw where you liked it and I think I remember you closed by yourself once without any training. I think I remember reading that. Working anywhere can get tiring after awhile. I think you need to read this discussion over and over to remind yourself why you are working.
I also feel you need to change how you think about work. I used to tell myself I was going to have a good day. Sometimes it got so stressful I would have to go to the restroom to just cry and then go back to work with a better attitude.
Do something nice for yourself on a regular basis. You need this to make it worth your time to work. Work affords you the freedom to take care of your family. It also affords your kids to do the things the want to do.
I would suggest taking care of Kats. I would also suggest working your scheduled days only and forget about the overtime. Working too much will cause severe burn out.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Thank you. And you're right. Picking up extra shifts does lead to the burn out faster. I just hate saying no and feel guilty when I do, especially since picking up an extra shift means more money.. silly me!
I will continue to remind myself why I'm working, and I will stick with it. This discussion has helped. Also.. thanks for your comments on the response above. You're very right. I'm proud of what I've been able to give my children by having a little extra income, and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.
Besides what I have given them.. I'm also showing them the importance of having a good work ethic. Nobody can expect to get by by not doing anything in life. If you want something, you have to work for it. That's life!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
9 Jul 11
You are lucky indeed to have such loving, supportive parents.
Sadly my husband isn't quite as supportive. He has complained a lot that my job puts me in a bad mood. It does, it's hard work, rather physical, and I deal with a lot of rude and grumpy people.. anyone would come home in a bad mood after that. To make matters worse i come home to the house being destroyed, smelling bad, food left open, and everyone just sits around playing video games or watching tv. Nobody starts picking up until I'm home. I can't do it all you know.
For awhile my father in law was watching my kids. That was worse. He never kept an eye on them. I'd come home to find all the kids covered in toothpaste, and the entire tube of toothpaste gone.
Then all I ever heard was how my FIL can't handle it, and he keeps getting into fights with my oldest (who's a teenager and has gotten that teenager's attitude). The stress of wondering if this was killing my FIL or if he'd quit on me or whether or not the kids are okay in his care was also stressing me.
Then there was a night or two where my FIL was in the hospital or something had come up and my back up babysitter is ready to go into labor so she's unable to watch my kids. So I just left the oldest in charge. This seems to be working out slightly better. At least I don't get any horror stories when I get home about how misbehaved they were. The oldest always says everything is fine, everyone is playing a game or watching TV. So this has taken some of the stress off.
Being a working mom is not easy by any means. Heck.. just being a mom is challenging enough!
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Thanks Kats,
I know you need a pep talk... I know being a single parent for most of my daughter's young life, i had to go to school for nursing and work... and provide a life for my daughter. I almost quit, but my mom and dad talked to me and said to look at the bigger picture. My mom even helped me by making flash cards of the medicines I needed to memorize. My dad said he would make my car payment if I needed him too... I never needed him to do that, but it was good to know the support was there. I'll never forget all the support my family gave me so I could become a nurse and make a good living for my daughter. You deserve the same support Kats, and I'll give you all I have to give whenever you need it. Just ask and I will talk to you and lift you up.
@adhel2104 (30)
• Indonesia
7 Jul 11
Hi..
Little jobs doesn't means little income neither big job doesn't means big income. i;m sure we all need extra money to enjoy life and make our life more easy. you already have the greatest experience, survive for life, the basic things in this life. not every man can handle situation just like you have, but you can survive until this very moment. You are a great man and i'm sure of that. Burn up your spirit and walk to your office with a big smile. don't give up.. every time you fall, as soon as possible you must get up again. everyone have the same problem including me but we are different with the others my friend.. we are fighter who always fight for better life. i hope you always have a great day.. :)
1 person likes this
