I loved IT work when I started but the job, the positions, the customers, and my bosses sucked it out of me. I couldn’t see myself staying in the job. As each day passed I got more and more depressed and miserable. The only plus side was I was earning a bit of money.
I was also at the age (late 40s) where it was probably too late to change careers. Even if I did, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.
I decided to take a risk and open my own business - a pinball arcade. Huge risk, but if it worked it would probably be fun.
I spent 3 years collecting machines and learning how to repair them. I worked to reduce my personal overhead so I could get by earning less (which is freeing on it’s own). I was still working the horrible IT jobs, but since I had a new direction it didn’t seem to bother me as much. There was a light at the end of the tunnel.
3 years ago we opened the arcade and luckily it’s been working out. I love coming to work now. I love 99% of my customers. Some days I spend half the day playing games with people in the arcade. I’m earning a living and our sales keep going up as we add more things to the arcade.
My only advice is to find something that will make you happy and work towards it. You don’t have to stay in a job you hate.
This sounds like me a few years ago.
I loved IT work when I started but the job, the positions, the customers, and my bosses sucked it out of me. I couldn’t see myself staying in the job. As each day passed I got more and more depressed and miserable. The only plus side was I was earning a bit of money.
I was also at the age (late 40s) where it was probably too late to change careers. Even if I did, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.
I decided to take a risk and open my own business - a pinball arcade. Huge risk, but if it worked it would probably be fun.
I spent 3 years collecting machines and learning how to repair them. I worked to reduce my personal overhead so I could get by earning less (which is freeing on it’s own). I was still working the horrible IT jobs, but since I had a new direction it didn’t seem to bother me as much. There was a light at the end of the tunnel.
3 years ago we opened the arcade and luckily it’s been working out. I love coming to work now. I love 99% of my customers. Some days I spend half the day playing games with people in the arcade. I’m earning a living and our sales keep going up as we add more things to the arcade.
My only advice is to find something that will make you happy and work towards it. You don’t have to stay in a job you hate.