First things first, check out this new updo that is the current front-runner for Saturday’s wedding look:
I am in love.
I think it’s romantic and classy and might even work with super-thin hair like mine. The wondrous Martha Stewart even posted a tutorial about how to do the ‘do yourself… though I think I’ll leave it to a professional. We’ll see! My updo selection will likely be a game-day decision.
Lunch
Lunchtime!
Lunch today will likely look familiar…
Leftovers from last night’s dinner.
Why only a tiny serving of beans you may ask? I spilled the Tupperware containing the beans as I was plating my meal and that pathetic little spoonful was all I could salvage.
Normally I’m a big proponent of the five-second rule, but with mice running around our apartment like it’s some kind of a carnival, I’m not about to eat fallen beanies.
And now I’d like to talk about jobs and money. Oh, baby.
About a week ago, I was talking with a very close friend of mine who is incredibly unhappy in her job. She’s extremely overworked, stressed out and dreads going into the office every single day. Speaking with her made me want to cry for her and brought back memories of an awful time in my life where I felt like my job ruled my life and the stress was unbearable. I figured that since both my friend and I experienced such similar experiences, others may have been there (or may be there) as well.
When the Money Isn’t Worth It
People measure success in varying ways. Happiness. Money. Good friends. Close family. A top position at work.
One of the things that stuck out to me about Ryan when we first started dating was that he always made me his first priority. I never doubted how much he cared for me, and coming from a previous relationship where I never really knew how much I meant to someone until after we broke up, his affectionate ways and loving demeanor were extremely attractive to me. He made me feel like my happiness = his happiness.
As we continued dating, I learned more about his hopes and dreams for the future and his desire to do well in the business world. But the one goal he always said first? “Be happy.”
I used to simply smile at this remark and think to myself, “Well, duh.”
As the years passed, I realized that this goal is perhaps the most difficult goal to achieve. It takes effort, will power, dedication, strength and constant evaluation of your attitude and surroundings.
When Ryan and I discuss what exactly happiness means to us, we agree that having a loving family and a warm, safe and comforting home life are the key to our personal happiness. A job that is rewarding and makes us feel integral, excited and passionate is also important.
Job and financial success are a tricky one for me.
I was raised in a house that was very, very aware of finances. My sister and I would get in serious trouble if we left a room and left the light on.
This turned me into a serious saver and was a major reason behind my decision to change majors in college to pursue a career I thought might be more lucrative.
My first job out of college paid very little. I was happy in my job, but after a year I got restless and applied for jobs that paid more.
I was offered a position as a marketing manager and it came with more responsibility and significantly more pay.
And more stress.
The intense stress I felt in my job as a marketing manager was so unexpected and so daunting. I had no work-life balance and worked late into the evenings on week days, worked weekends and thought about work non-stop.
When I would arrive home from work, I wouldn’t want Ryan to ask me about my day because I didn’t even want to talk about work. On Sunday mornings I awoke feeling depressed and absolutely dreaded Monday mornings. I remember crying to Ryan saying that I was wishing away five days of my life every week.
The money simply wasn’t worth it.
In the little spare time I had, I began applying for new jobs.
When I received an interview for a writing and editing position with a large website, I felt excited and relieved. And then I learned about the pay. It paid $10,000 less than the position I currently held.
I was so miserable in my current job, but could I really forgo $10,000? Was $10,000 worth having no personal life and feeling such extreme stress and anxiety? Absolutely not.
I cried and worried and freaked out many times before finally accepting the new position and leaving my job as a marketing manager.
From my first day at my writing and editing job, I never looked back. Not once did I think I made a mistake. Did I miss the extra money in my paycheck? Sure. But it was so incredibly worth it.
Two years out of college I learned that the old saying “money doesn’t buy happiness” really is true. I learned early on that I would rather make less money than make a ton of money if the extra money meant countless hours at the office, unyielding pressure, no time with those I love and intense stress.
Yes, money is important. It’s perfectly okay to have the desire to make money, be ambitious and have financially-driven goals. But I never want to forget the most important things in the world. My family. My friends. Personal peace and happiness.
Many jobs are hard at times and easier at others, but unrelenting jobs that provide no reprieve from stress and pressure are draining. My job as a marketing manager took more away from me than just my time. It took away me.
Sometimes it’s okay to take a risk. It’s okay to walk away. It’s okay to care more about yourself than your paycheck.
Questions of the Day
- Have you ever been in a job where you were truly miserable?
- Would you have a hard time taking a dramatic pay cut to accept a position you felt would be a better fit for you emotionally?
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I worked for a magazine straight out of college, and I absolutely loathed it. I was miserable and, like you, felt like I was wishing away 5 days a week – just looking forward to the weekend. I ended up quitting and taking a volunteer position. Of course, I was lucky to have a husband that could support me. Now I work for a different nonprofit (paid position) and am extremely happy. While I know that money does not equal happiness, some people are literally stuck in their job because they don’t have a family/husband/spouse/significant other that they can rely on financially. It’s such a sticky situation – especially with the economy/job market the way it is now. Some people don’t have a choice to be picky – ya know?!
i know and that is what is so sad. i was only supporting myself, so my decision didn’t affect anyone else. i can’t imagine the stress of having a family to support and going through an awful job at the same time. my heart truly goes out to people in that situation.
I always, always, always wanted to work for a magazine. Then in college I started a journalism major and interned at newspapers and magazines and HATED IT. I took a lower paying part time job out of college rather than throw myself into that environment because I knew it would make me miserable. It took a couple years to find a good job that paid well and I loved but I’m doing okay now and have a much better quality of life.
I would say money is never worth having a horrible quality of life!
Great post!
I had a job in radio advertising sales that made me miserable! Sales is not something I excel in because I hate feeling pushy and asking for money. Finally I followed my passion into the health field and am loving continuing down this path as a business owner and blogger while I continue to discover what makes me happy. I agree- happiness >money!
i know what you mean about sales. my marketing manager job had me selling A LOT. it felt pushy and unnatural. i hate asking people for things in my personal life, so it was just an awful fit for me.
I LOVED this post. So much of it rang so true to me – and are things that I say all the time. All the money in the world is not worth being unhappy. We are at our jobs (for the most part) more than we are anywhere else so it’s SO important to be happy doing what you’re doing.
I admire you making the choice you did – it’s not an easy thing to do. I definitely grew up in the same type of household so it makes you feel pressure to be SURE you’re financially stable so you won’t have to worry.
But sometimes, a little worry is completely worth it for total happiness. And I’m a strong believer that EVERYTHING works out so long as you’re dedicated to making it! 🙂
Glad you’ve found your happiness!
LOVE this post. Love love love. It is just what I needed to hear at a time when I’m going into a job that’s putting my happiness WAY above $$$ (Haha you might know what I mean!). I’m so nervous, but your post is super-reassuring. Thanks for unknowingly writing exactly what I needed to hear right now! You are awesome, Julie :).
🙂 you know i support you 110 percent, katie!
Great post Julie and so very true. I’ve been with the same company since graduating college 7 years ago. I’ve been promoted more times than I can count off hand right now and my salary has more than tripled since my entry level pay. However, my happiness has not tripled. In fact, I’d gladily go back to the time when I was making about $20K less than I am now b/c in retropect I was the happiest then. My work and personal lives were in sync. I had a great boss that was motivating and empowering and life was good. Do I like the extra $20K in my paycheck? Of course. But, it’s not always about $. People think $ is a motivator. I disagree, it’s a definite de-motivator when it’s not there, but it is not a motivator in and of itself.
i agree! in my last job, they used $$$ and bonuses as a motivator when, as a writer, i really would’ve been more motivated by praise and a “good job” here and there. bonuses in the writing field felt foreign and unnatural.
Yes! I am so glad you posted this entry, because I am currently dealing with this now. I am on the job hunt, and am finding that i will probably have to make less right off the bat, but I feel that I will really be making more – happiness is a virtue, right? I would love to be happy in my job again. A few lifestyle changes will have to be made, but I believe in the end, less is absolutely more 🙂
I love this up do!! I think it will look soo pretty. I like styles that aren’t super structured and more loosely put together…it always looks way more natural 🙂 Thanks for posting your thoughts on jobs and money…you sound like you are actually pretty lucky that you learned this lesson so soon after college. Some people go their whole lives never understanding that money isn’t everything and missing out on a whole lot of life 🙂
Thank you for this post. THANK YOU THANK YOU. I am in the design field and love to design for print media. I am still finishing up school but am fully aware that it is a vanishing field since most everything is going digital. I know that I could probably make more money if I focused my studies on web design but I just loath the idea of doing that for a living. I grew up in a very financially blessed home and long to be able to afford the things my parents could, but I don’t think that’s worth doing something I hate. This post really reassured me that I’m on the right path for ME.
Thanks again!
Great post, Julie. I absolutely feel the same way. I left a lucrative job right out of college because I was doing the same thing — wishing away 5 days of my life every week and dreading work every single day — so I went and worked FOR FREE at an internship for five months. As it turned out, I was 1000x happier working for free in a job that I loved than making more money than I had ever seen in my life.
Thanks for writing about this! 🙂
i’m sending this comment to my friend. 🙂 i think it’s exactly what she needs to read right now!
Awesome! Let me know if she has any questions about taking an unpaid internship…It’s scary, and certainly not easy, but if it’s something you love, it is SO SO SO worth it in the long run. Plus, future employers really admire the fact that you were willing to give up so much for your career…I’ve had so many people tell me how impressed they were that I knew what I wanted to do and went for it.
Plus, life is too short to do what you hate. Duh! 🙂
This post means so much to me and has made me start thinking a lot – and not about my job, but my boyfriend’s. I have a lot of the same viewpoints as you – I NEED the work/life balance to make myself. I want to have time to workout after work, hang with friends, cook dinner, watch a movie, etc.
My boyfriend is a first-year investment banker and workers 85-95 hours a week. It stresses him out and whenever he’s not in work, he’s talking about it. We both live in Atlanta (I only moved here 8 months ago) and he is now looking for another finance job in New York. Well… where does that leave me? It’s difficult to swallow, but our ideas of ‘happiness’ may not be the same….
Sorry.. that comment seems depressing but you just got me thinking – in a good way! 🙂
honestly, that reminds me of my dad. he works CRAZY hours and is always, always stressed by work. he is such a wonderful man and father, but i constantly wish work didn’t play such a large part in his life and personal happiness. it’s so hard for many people to see that. i bet having you in his life helps him more than you can imagine.
I have a guy in a similar situation, where he’s always working or studying. Sometimes I think it’s some men’s competitive mentality to feel they need to support a family, be on top, make the most, etc. I think you can have differing values as long as his attention is channeled in other directions too (or that he shows you are impt). You’re definitely lucky, Julie, to have a balanced and supportive partner!
I’m glad you posted this. I am currently in a similar situation and haven been searching for a new job for the last two weeks. I know i’m lucky to have any job right now – but like you said, no job is worth your happiness.
Please keep me posted if that updo works with thin hair (I have thin hair as well, grrr) always looking for new ways to do something with it!
I had a high paying job at one point but it involved major travel and was a problem with my then boyfriend (now husband) and he encouraged me to switch jobs and take a paycut. I did and ended up scoring an amazing job where I learned a million things and it really opened up a whole new world. Sure, at first I missed the money – but in the end it was one of the best decisions I ever made…then soon after I got engaged and married!
I’m with you on this one, Julie. I, too, quit a job that I hated more than I can describe. Like you, I stayed up as late as I could every night, because I knew the sooner I went to sleep, the sooner I’d have to wake up and go to work. I was absolutely miserable, they treated me really poorly, and although it paid well, I just couldn’t justify staying. While working there I applied for and got a job that paid $20,000 less, but I accepted it and never looked back. I’m SO much happier here even though I’m actually working longer hours. But coming in to an office of nice people, versus my other devil boss is totally worth the pay cut and extra hours. HAPPINESS is SO important!!!
ah yes, the evil devil boss. i know him well.
I love that you can tell that this post came straight out of your heart! It really made me stop and reflect on things. I’ve found myself before making career decisions that were driven more from financial gain than personal happiness, but thankfully I never landed myself in a position where I was truly miserable. Whenever considering money, I always remind myself that I have friends that make significantly less and significantly more than I do and they all seem incredibly happy. Happiness definitely doesn’t have to depend on what figure is in your bank account!
I have this debate with my parents ALL the time. I have a great job that pays well and has a lot of growth opportunity, I’m just still not sure if it’s my passion. I’m in school to become a certified health coach and the idea that I would leave this job for something less stable and lucrative is CRAZY to my parents. I’m just not willing to be unhappy!
i think it’s a generational thing. i had to literally ball my eyes out to my father to make him understand how truly miserable i was. it was only after that experience where he really understood that taking a $10k paycut was the best thing i could do for myself.
Oh it totally is. And I’ve explained that to them (after taking a course called “Generations in the Workforce”. And when it came down to it they would support me as long as I was still able to support myself and was happy.
Julie, what a wonderful post! I can relate to no end. I took a job that was literally DOUBLE my old pay despite gut feeling that it was all wrong for me. I took it instead (hindsight is 20/20). I spent every single evening crying my eyes out and every weekend stressed over work . I didn’t even notice the extra money – it didn’t make me happy at all. The day I quit that miserable job, was the day I got my life back. I had no other job lined up and didn’t know when I’d receive another paycheck, but I was on Cloud Nine. What a great lesson to learn early on in life!
YES!!! i remember the day i quit my job. i felt like i was light as air. it was an amazing feeling. i NEVER looked back!
I LOVE this hairstyle and hope it works for your hair! I like this one the best out of all the pictures you posted! Great post 🙂 I’m so happy at my current teaching job. I LOVE IT 🙂
What a topic!
Yes I was in a job that I was pretty unhappy with for a number of reasons and I left it even though there was some guilt or self-inflicted pressure that I should have stayed for longer than 2 years. Now i work in a job that I’m definitely happiER in, but still not super happy.
I’d have a hard time taking a huge cut because our cost of living is so very high in California, but I could probably do up to a $50K per year *cut* if I was blissfully happy!
I love this post…I’m going to graduate from college next year and I really hope I don’t let myself get sucked into the same trap. Thinking about the future is a constant tug of war…Of course my emotional well-being should come first, but I think I’d eagerly snap up ANY job “in this economy”. It seems like too much to ask to find a job that excites me, suits my lifestyle, AND provides an equal amount of nonmonetary motivators (a good boss, praise where it’s due, etc.) and monetary incentives (a regular paycheck, a potential for bonuses and promotions, etc.) right off of the bat. Do you think it’s a bad idea to “settle” for a first job? Like you did, I could always continue the hunt for a dream job once I found a job that will pay for my rent and my raspberries!
to be 100% honest, i don’t think it’s bad to “settle” for a first job. i remember a teacher telling me “the point of your first job is to get you your SECOND job.” at that point you can be choosier. 🙂 apparently it stuck with me!
Boy I can definitely relate to this post. I have worked so many jobs (personal trainer, group ex instructor, line cook, medical secretary, coach, gym manager) and I loved some and hated others. Some of them took over my life as well.
I have made the change to blogging because it’s simply a better fit for me in so many ways and I LOVE it. Money can’t buy happiness and it doesn’t matter how much you save and work for retirement – because who knows whether you’ll live to enjoy it! I know that sounds pessimistic but its what happened to my dad – 30+ years in a government job he didn’t really like and then 2 years into his retirement he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE! 🙂
This post is exactly what I needed to hear today. My husband took a position in January that instantly changed our family dynamic. This position put him on the road two full weeks at a time, only coming home every other weekend. It made both of us miserable, we fought all the time and were very unhappy. This unhappiness also effected my job as well. After months and months of being told the travel would get better, it never did and we made the difficult decision to quit. My husband was making good money and taking away his income was quite a scary prospect for us. He’s been home three weeks now and has had a handful of interviews and filled out dozens and dozens of applications, but no job just yet. I know that this is a step we had to take to have a healthy marriage and work life balance but the thought of him not finding a job soon really scares me financially. I’m a planner by nature, and it’s hard to just sit back and let God work this one out for us. Patience is not my virtue. 🙂
that situation sounds like it would be really hard for me, too. but reading your comment really does make me think you guys made a wise decision – for your family and your relationship. i wish you the very, very best and hope your husband finds a job SOON!
Thanks, Julie for your kind words, it certainly means a lot. 🙂
Your post is so timely, Julie! This very thing is what I’m struggling with right now. I feel like I’ve figured out that my passions lie in writing, nutrition, and food, and that I want to go back to school, or go to culinary school, or figure out SOMETHING else than to continue to work in a job that I don’t enjoy, and that makes me pretty miserable. But… it’s hard to make that leap of faith. Money is a big deal, whether we’re willing to admit it or not, and I’m just finding it very, very hard to pull the trigger.
Yes — I am working in a job that is not paying the most but I am happy here — I have been in a few miserable jobs (working conditions, managers, etc) and the money is not worth it.
Jason was recently laid off (ok 3 months ago) and in a way it was a blessing because that job literally sucked the life out of him each and every day.
I’m so happy you posted this. I’m not in the same exact position, but I’ve had to evaluate my job. I think I could definitely take a pay cut right now – when I don’t have a family or house to pay for – if the job would make me happier.
I just resigned from my first full-time job, which I love, but it pays little, there’s no room for growth, and I’m not challenged as much. I’m moving on to something in a related industry. It’s not full-time, and I have no idea if it will make me happier, but I think in the long-run, giving up some pay and getting new challenges will help my happiness.
You write so well Julie! Thanks for sharing your heart felt thoughts with us. My story is long so I’ll give you the condenced/abridged version. Working in different field last year, going to grad school part time, finished grad school, found dream job in new field, applied and interviewed for it, offered and accepted dream job! I have been here a year and slowly have come to not enjoy it. Lots of stress, high pressure work environment, not flexible at all. All the excitement that I had for it initially has worn off. The honeymoon is over! Seriously thinking about my health/fitness/wellness/food passion and where that could fit in to a career change. You give me inspiration, Julie!
I have definitely learned that money doesn’t buy happiness. After watching my parents get divorced- I’ve realized that I would much rather have a happy life and be in a loving relationship than I would a bunch of money. I originally went to school with the idea of eventually going on to med school- but I mainly wanted to do it because of the great pay. Once I got out of that mind set, I found occupational therapy and while the pay will be much much less, it is something that I absolutely love! I can’t wait til I graduate grad school and and am able to start working 🙂
Love this post! I too grew up in a household that was very aware of finances. At the time I resented it, bug its made me into the savy money saver that I am now. 😉
You’re right, money isn’t everything, and most studies show that the more money one makes, the more money they just spend. Most people that get raises don’t start saving more money, they just spend it. So in my opinion, you can easily live on “less” and still be happy, heck probably happier! (As long as your basic needs are able to be met).
I’m a nurse so my base pay is pretty standard, but two years ago I was working fulltime in a hospital which was two twelve hour day shifts followed by two twelve hour night shifts, then four days off. It worked out so that I basically would works all the weekends every second month, so half the weekends of the year! It was brutal because my fiance (then boyfriend) had a mon thru fri job. I felt like I was missing out on so many things …the money was great because of night pay and overtime, but so what? So two years ago i applied for a community day nurse position and got it! It’s only four days a week, so that combined with no shift differentials and absolutely no overtime allowed in the community has made for a lot smaller pay checks. But I’m happy! And you know what, I actually save more money without evening noticing a change in my lifestyle. I’m just even more smarter with my money now 🙂
aaahh i am glad to see a nurse respond to this! i am in nursing school right now as my second degree and every day i stress over whether or not i’m going to be able to maintain a good quality life once i start working (if i get a job!) i’ve already considered dropping the program because of the stress and feeling like it may not be worth it but i keep trying to push through hoping that it will all be worth it! i hope i can find a job where it may not be as much pay but i’d at least have a normal schedule and be less stressed because no amount of money is worth lack of sleep/long stressful shifts. sorry to rant it’s just been on my mind – a lot! 🙂
I can totally relate to this post. I had a love/hate relationship with my old job and my husband hated his – but we made a good living, had good benefits, vacation, etc… So it was tempting to stay with our jobs.
After we got married we decided to take a big risk- we quit our jobs, moved to a different state so my husband could do a three month internship in a new career field. He loved his internship, but after it was over it was hard to find work. After 6 months of searching he landed an awesome job and now I am enrolling in grad school to start a new career as well!
We definitely felt uncomfortable and scared at times, but taking risks and following our passions is starting to pay off for us in a big way!! 🙂
um YES! I agree, money is obviously a need to have in this world, but the obesession with it is craziness! Happiness is not bought, ever.
I am totally okay with doing risky things if it makes me happy, and my husband feels the same way, thankfully! I have worked a job that offered great potential and I hated every minute of it. Doing something I love, life is SO much better!
This post is spot on to what I have experienced. My husband and I met when I was in school in Canada and we got engaged and decided that because he was already set in the career world (7 years in his field) that it would make the most sense for him to find a job and we would move where he could find one in the states. Well after months of looking he finally found a job in my home state (not where I wanted to return but oh well) and then it was time for me to find a job. I started to feel a lot of financial pressure to find something good and quick and settled on a job in insurance… a job so far from my dream job. I stayed in the position for 1.5 years and it was the most miserable time of my (our) life. I finally made the decision (with the support of my husband) to leave the postion with no job lined up. I was scared of the financial impact but we both agreed that i was miserable and it was effecting my health, happiness and our relationship. So I left. It took me 3 months to find a new job but during that time I decided to focus on my blog and came to realize my real passion was health and nutrition and helping other reach their health goals. This is when I started at the Institute For Integrative Nutrition to become a health coach and then I finally found a paying part time job in a new location (no more commuting) and my life changed completely. I feel so much happier, more positive and more in love then ever. For me being happy is worth more than money. Sorry for the ridiculously long comment haha but you just inspired me. Love this post!
i’m so glad everything worked out for you two. that is wonderful!
I went to University for 8.5 years (I did 2 degrees). About 3/4 through my first degree I realized that I didn’t want a job in that field and finished it, and went straight into nursing. For my husband and I, it meant another 4 years of financial burden, sacrifice and hard work. There were definitely months when we didn’t know where grocery money was going to come from, but in the end it was all worth it.
Although I am mat leave now, I have a job that I LOVE to go to. I wake up in the morning excited to go in and see what kind of day I am going to have. I feel rewarded, fulfilled, humbled and happy in my job, and for once, I feel like I am really good at something.
My mom once gave me the advice that sometimes you just have to tighten your belt and take a leap of faith, and it is absolutely true!
Great questions! I have (fortunately) never had a job that made me truly miserable. As a school psychologist, there are parts of my job that I love and parts that I don’t like as much. And at each district I’ve worked in, there are pros and cons to working in that particular district. But I’ve never been seriously miserable for an extended period of time.
And I really believe that your peace and happiness is worth more than money. Yes, you need to pay your bills. But beyond that, you can live without certain luxuries for the sake of your peace of mind. But that’s just my opinion. 🙂
Such a great post! It really is true, money certainly doesn’t buy happiness. I can totally relate to your feelings of dread come Sunday, crying to your significant other over not wanting to go to work, feeling completely drained after work, etc. I unfortunately am in a similar situation, and the money isn’t even that good!! I am, however, working hard to change that (by being back in school), and trying to keep everything in perspective.
I can definitely say that your blog, especially with your decision to quit your job and pursue what you love to do full time and passionately has definitely inspired me and reminded me that anything is possible, and with a little persistence, hard work, dedication, faith, and most importantly good attitude, almost anything is possible!
thank you so much, danielle. your comment means a lot to me. 🙂
Great and interesting blog today, Julie!
I’ve been in an absolutely miserable job before. Thankfully, it wasn’t a career job, as it was just a job to fill my time and help me pay bills in my year off between undergrad and grad school. But I did end up quitting earlier than expected because I simply could not take the abuse anymore. Being truly unhappy at work is awful.
I honestly would rather the happiness. I feel like the extra money (that goes toward what… clothes? food splurges?) can be done without.. especially since a stressful job is usually the cause for NEEDING such splurges. right? 😉
I have had a job where I was miserable. I lasted 1.5 months and quit. I would sit in the car and cry before walking into the building and I would cry the entire way home. Everyday.
I probably would NOT take a pay cut unless I was truly miserable. I’m not on the most interesting project at work right now, but the company, and the people, and the managers are good. I have bills to pay and honestly…I want to retire or have enough money to do something I love later on. Making more is saving more, so I get that much closer to not working at all.
Oh my goodness Julie, I needed to read this!! I’m a fairly recent grad, and I won’t go into too much detail about this (because you never know who reads the comments!) but to be very very brief, I can totally relate, and THANK YOU!
I can definitely relate to this post. Right now I’m working at unpaid internship for the summer that I hate, but luckily i only have one month left. I’ll be entering my 3rd year of law school in August and this is something i worry about a lot. Lawyers are notorious for not having work/life balance, but I’m really doing a lot of research and hoping I can find a job I find intellectually satisfying but doesn’t take up my entire life. This post and your recent career change are both very encouraging!
Julie,
This is such a wonderful post–thank you so much for writing about this! I’m actually struggling with something like this right now with my summer internship. I am so appreciative to have this opportunity, but I just don’t enjoy going to the office everday–it’s not challenging me in ways that I yearn to be challenged. It’s also hard because I’m so busy that I haven’t had time to devote to other things I’m truly passionate about; cooking, exercising, spending time with friends, and being with family.
Your post has really put things in perspective for me and I thank you so much for that! 🙂
Insightful post! I am in the process of quitting my job and going back to school!
It is quite stressful…because I am going from a prestigious job….to a student. However, I do plan to work part time as a personal trainer and fitness instructor!
Hapiness is my mantra!
I’m in that situation now. HATE my job. Too much work, too many unhappy clients, too many melodramatic coworkers. Salary is decent, but when I adjust it for the misery factor I should be making about 10 times as much.
I have looked, and I’ve definitely considered taking a lower salary for the right job. Unfortunately, the job market is really in ruins, and good jobs at any salary are few and far between.
I know what I want my next job to be, but it is going to take a little maneuvering to get there. So in the meantime, I have decided to stick with the sucky job…but find a way to make it less sucky. I have asked to be able to work remotely for a few months — I am waiting for the final OK, but it looks like it will be approved. For me, this is an EXCELLENT upgrade — I don’t have to look at miserable coworkers every day, won’t have to deal with a stressful commute, won’t be interrupted a million times during lunch. And I get to squirrel away a little more of my decent salary, giving me the freedom to take a lower paying job down the road.
Just thought I’d mention it because this strategy could work for others, too — maybe you’d like to work from home 2x a week, or work 10 hour days M-Thu and take Fridays off. Or maybe you’d like to take some classes at night and need a little bit more of a flexible schedule. It is expensive for companies to replace an employee, so if you can make a compelling argument, you might be able to improve your situation.
Thank you so much for posting this! I am going to be graduating from undergrad in the fall, and afer working desk jobs in the summers I know that it is NOT for me. I need more freedom in my job and way more creativity. My ambition is to complete my master’s and hopefully put myself in a position where I can pick a job I truly want, instead of having to take what is handed to me. Wishful thinking, I know, but I am going to keep hoping.
THANK YOU!
I’m so glad you posted this. I was raised to never work just for the money. One should be happy and you’re right, happiness is measured a variety of ways. Yes, most of us would agree money makes a big difference..particularly in this economy, but I think most of us would also agree that there are so many more aspects of a job that make us happy. My coworkers make or break me in a job. If I don’t like who I work with and for, then it doesn’t matter how much I’m making…I’m unhappy. If I love them, I can often overlook a less than stellar salary.
But wanting to take less salary for something that could make me happy? I’d like to say I’d do it but it’s hard to give up the money you are used to making when the economy is so bad. But in the long run I think I’d have to go with what makes me happy..even if it does mean less money.
You’ve been incredibly inspiring with this post (and others) and your career change. Thank you!
Best quote ever, Julie. “It’s ok to care more about yourself than your paycheck.” Positive quote for everyone out there who is unhappy with their job in such an awful economy…trying to make the best decisions. Rock on, girl! Love the blog too. I’m always coming back for more PB!
I took an internship with no pay to truly figure out if I wanted to do what I thought I wanted to do with my life. Spending 3 months writing for a public relations publication were the best 3 months of my life, money be damned. I’d do it for free for the rest of my life if I could. But now that I know, I can happily say I’ll be doing that after I graduate. I currently dread everyday of my part time job though. I freelance for a magazine for money on the side, but I work in a restaurant that I don’t even like and my boss is absolutely dreadful. She breeds negativity and I don’t want that in my life.
I feel extremely lucky to be where I am now professionally and financially. I say “lucky” but of course it took a long time and a lot of work to get here. I left my for-profit job 7 years ago, took a pay cut and took on a ton more hours and stress to work at a nonprofit raising money for cancer research. The job was extremely hard, but extremely rewarding and fun (went not totally stressful!)! I worked two jobs in order to maintain a decent lifestyle without going into debt. I maintained this for four years until a better paying, but equally rewarding nonprofit opportunity presented itself. I look back on those years and remember the long hours and the tears over not being able to afford this or that and in my worst moments charging gas or groceries b/c I literally did not have the money, but in the end, I learned SO much. I make almost double what I made then now, but I still do not have cable, still keep a budget and simply am able to splurge a bit more and save a TON more. Those years set me up for success financially in the long run…
This post really hits home for me. I recently made the decision to quit my job and move across the country with my boyfriend for his own job opportunity. Though I don’t regret quitting that job for a MINUTE (I was totally miserable and cried probably 4 out of 5 days of the work week), it was really, really hard to quit a well-paying job with a top company. My parents support me but they don’t really understand that my happiness is more important to me than ANY job will be. Right now I’m FUNemployed, but I’m hopeful that the next job I have will be rewarding in both salary and happiness.
So incredibly true. Unfortunately, as much as we hear it from others, I feel that this is a lesson that is typically only learned thru experience. But once you come to the realization, life gets more enjoyable
I agree with you, if you are really unhappy it is better to find something different – even if it pays less. Obviously you want to make sure you can still live on the new pay but I think that almost always the reduction in pay will be worth it if you are really unhappy with your current job. Money can’t buy happiness 🙂
I have had a job that made me miserable – more the people I worked with made me miserable. Luckily the job I left for paid more so it was a double bonus. But even when I was looking for jobs I wasn’t looking at the pay as much as what would make me happier.
Great post!
I love that you wrote this post! That was me a little over a year ago, I hated my life because of my job!
I quit with nothing else lined up and 2 months later found the perfect job…with a $20k paycut.
I have been here a year and it is 100% worth it, I do not know how I lived in such stress and unhappiness for so long.
I think it is so great that you and all of the commenters are sharing these stories. In college everyone was all abotu being driven landing a good job, moving up, and making $$, in the end, that path isn’t for everyone and I think it is SO important for others out there to realize that there is so much more than a fancy title and big paycheck!