Moved jobs but hate it

[The Horseman]

So I have recently moved jobs, my previous role didn't offer much growth and felt I needed a change. Now I am regretting it slightly. I am not enjoying my new job at all, its in a similar field, but I just hate it. About 100 times more admin.

I went off my career path by accepting my previous job, and have not really enjoyed what I have done for the last few years. Now I have been offered another position by a close friend, to go and work with him. The pay will initially be lower, but the prospects of the company growing are good. The salary will increase as the company does better. They seem to have hit a pattern where they are growing nicely every month.

Now obviously its a gamble, move from well paying job where you hate the work, to a job where you love the work but earn less, but has opportunity. It also offers a lot more flexibility with regard to leave and occasionally working from home.

My brain says stick it out with option 1 which would keep the wife happy obviously, but my heart says go with option 2. I think the only thing that makes me miserable in life at the moment is the work I do.

Its amazing how your work effects your entire life. I just feel that unless I don't make a change, no money in the world will make me happy in a field that I don't enjoy.

Would love to hear some others feelings or experiences.

 

[syntax]

I moved once for money, i lasted 5 months.
I was so miserable my girlfriend told me to quit. It ruined my social life and turned me into a horrible person.

I might be an extreme case, but i need to be happy and satisfied at work to enjoy all parts of my life. I was lucky to get outta there for the same amount of money somewhere else, but moving for money was one of the worst mistakes i made

 

[The Horseman]

I moved once for money, i lasted 5 months.
I was so miserable my girlfriend told me to quit. It ruined my social life and turned me into a horrible person.

I might be an extreme case, but i need to be happy and satisfied at work to enjoy all parts of my life. I was lucky to get outta there for the same amount of money somewhere else, but moving for money was one of the worst mistakes i made

Thanks syntax. I believe I may have made the same mistake. Its all very well having more cash, but to wake up every morning and dread having to go to work really is not great. And as you have said, it really effects your life. My wife has noticed how uptight and irritated I am, and I hate myself for that. I just want to be happy. Everything else in my life is great, but work is just bringing me down into depression.

 

[AlmightyBender]

From your description of the situation you sound like you've already made up your mind for option 2.. Doing what you love is the most important consideration if you can afford it, makes such a massive difference in your life so I encourage you to try to make it work

 

[mooks]

I had a similair situation. I earn half of what I did in London, but I love my job, I don't hate myself every day, my work environment is a million miles better and I don't work 12-14hrs a day anymore. I am broke, but I'm happy.

What amazes me is that people were telling me my old job was sucking the soul right out of me, but I only see it now that I've moved jobs/countries/lifestyles. I'm actually a nice(ish) person all of a sudden!

 

[ebendl]

My brain says stick it out with option 1 which would keep the wife happy obviously, but my heart says go with option 2. I think the only thing that makes me miserable in life at the moment is the work I do.

Its amazing how your work effects your entire life. I just feel that unless I don't make a change, no money in the world will make me happy in a field that I don't enjoy.

Why would your wife be happy with option 1? You also mentioned that she picked up how unhappy you've become. Less money?

In my (limited - 3.5 years of marriage) experience I think most wives would rather have a happy husband with less money (And who is actually around to spend time with them), than the other way around.

Why not ask the friend if you can keep it on ice and then go for another interview or two (if you can get them)? Just to make sure that you're getting the best option.

 

[syntax]

I think you need to change jobs, but be very careful of going somewhere with your close friend.
If you are working for him, i wouldnt do it, and wait for something better to come along.

If you are working with him, it can still make things uncomfortable, but might be less of a risk.
How old are you and what responsibilities do you have? If you dont have kids and can afford to take the knock, move sooner than later.

 

[ToxicBunny]

If you have an opportunity where you will actually enjoy what you do, I would suggest you take it, if the pay is enough for you to live on until the company grows a bit.

 

[The Horseman]

From your description of the situation you sound like you've already made up your mind for option 2.. Doing what you love is the most important consideration if you can afford it, makes such a massive difference in your life so I encourage you to try to make it work

Yeah, in my heart I know what I want and what will make me happy and keep ticking. Woking is hard enough, but hell why do something you hate?

Why would your wife be happy with option 1? You also mentioned that she picked up how unhappy you've become. Less money?

In my (limited - 3.5 years of marriage) experience I think most wives would rather have a happy husband with less money (And who is actually around to spend time with them), than the other way around.

Why not ask the friend if you can keep it on ice and then go for another interview or two (if you can get them)? Just to make sure that you're getting the best option.

Unfortunately my wife is not very understanding at the moment. She can't understand why I moved jobs and now I hate my new job. It really sucks, I just wish I could come home to some understanding. Rather it feels like she is all pissed off with me now that I am not happy.

If you have an opportunity where you will actually enjoy what you do, I would suggest you take it, if the pay is enough for you to live on until the company grows a bit.

Thanks Toxic, the opportunity with the new job is potentially big. The pay will eventually even itself out, and who knows it may well exceed all expectations.

I think you need to change jobs, but be very careful of going somewhere with your close friend.
If you are working for him, i wouldnt do it, and wait for something better to come along.

If you are working with him, it can still make things uncomfortable, but might be less of a risk.
How old are you and what responsibilities do you have? If you dont have kids and can afford to take the knock, move sooner than later.

Point taken, thanks man. I know what you are saying, but I have known him for many many years and is a close friend. I am not entering into any kind of partnership so this would be on a employer employee basis, but I do know what you are saying. Working for family or friends is always tricky. I does however feel like a possible opportunity lost if I base my decision on this.