I’m at a strange stage in my life where I no longer feel driven, and I question the point of it all. I’m guessing this is partially due to a few family members passing, and partially due to menopause. Is this what midlife crisis feels like? I am considering quitting and taking a break from it all and so absolutely nothing for a while. I’m almost always the high performer every year so I feel like it would be a career suicide if I left a well paying job. Does this “career fatigue“ go away?

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I recently left a job that paid a lot but made me very unhappy for a long time. Now I suddenly can sleep at night and enjoy my relationships. It is like a new lease on life. It was hard for me to leave because that job made me feel important and successful. But I am so glad I did, and really wish I had done it a long time ago.
For me, a long driving trip gave me a lot of time to reflect and be sure that I really did want to make some big changes.

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I am feeling some of this myself. I just feel tired professionally *and* personally. My kids are going through a lot, which is draining, my company isn’t killing it right now so I wonder what it’s all for, and my body is a bit worn out, too. I’m not really in a position to take a break with a kid in college and two more about to hit that phase, but I feel your fatigue. I think I would be a lot more inspired and energetic if I were working on something each day that was more of a passion project.

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I appreciate this discussion. I feel the same way. I think it’s safe to guess that 20 months of a pandemic has left much of the world exhausted and burned out on every level. I am trying to schedule a weekend a month off. Depending on finances- I did a 2 day art workshop. No cooking or cleaning happened that weekend. In December I will plan some hiking (I live in a northern climate so maybe cross country skiing locally). Immersive days to really reset my brain.

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This post resonates with a lot of us and I’m happy you posed it OP for discussion. Burnout is real at any points in our career, but especially after the last 1.5 years.

The career fatigue could go away. Are you in a position that you could take a couple weeks off? Maybe switch to a 4 day work week? What about moving to a different team or department to shake things up a bit?

I also don’t know your role, demand for your skill set, financial position or plans so I say this with caution, maybe having a high paced, high demanding job isn’t everything right now. Maybe you’re in a position that moving to something with lower pay but high quality life is what you can do.

We are so programmed into “make money, be the best.” But what’s worse than career suicide is health and wellness suicide. And I’m a true believer in “everything will work out.”

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Dealing with sandwich generation issues here. I got laid off a year ago and thought I'd dive into job search after the new year and instead had to deal with issues as my parents and then my son graduating college and then all of a sudden the summer is here. Now it's November and my dad just had a stroke this morning.

I'm trying to re-evaluate everything but I'm going to have to go back into marketing, but marketing what is the question. Yes this post and thread has resonated so deeply. I am post menopause and my second child just graduated from college but neither one is set up and stable right now.

To think that we're not going to be rid of this extra layer of anxiety due to the pandemic perhaps ever is not helping.

I never needed that much money, but watching my parents struggle with end-of-life options even though they have three times as much savings as me at this point in their life has made me wonder about my attitude about not wanting more money more money. I think about what Comfort I could provide them if I did have more money saved and the job, let alone a job that pays money that I could use to help them and sock away from myself.

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After four days in an emergency room bed, he got a regular room bed last night. He's supposed to go into an acute rehab facility today or tomorrow.

He's going to be 91 but it's always a draining experience for all involved. Thanks for your concern!

He still can't walk or even stand up on his own even with a walker and he's having some hallucinations and delusions but he is strong for 91 and we hope he will be able to be on his own with my mom for a little longer!🥰

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I went through this a few years ago (not menopause though) and what helped me was assessing what's really important to me in life and work and finding a job that was more in line with that. It's very normal to go through a sort of second adolescence in middle age where you want more meaning from your life and no longer care about the hustle. It might be scary to make a big change, the reward can be worth it.

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It’s hard to reengaged once you’ve hit that point. I only managed to get through mine with a change, either departments or jobs. It never feels like enough time, but can you take off a week or so. clear your head and try to find something that inspires you? It’s challenging to see a path forward when you’re in the thick of it

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After surpassing menopause and truly giving up a long successful career literally in the blink of an eye. I can say I felt like a free slave when I drove away from it all. I don’t suggest anyone following in my footsteps as all of our journeys are different. However I do suggest following whatever soothes your soul. As an empty nester with grown children and grandchildren I still worry from time to time but life couldn’t be better. I love the freedom and the ability to say I’m truly happy. I’ve graduated to being filled with joy. 👩🏽‍🎓

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I’m in the same boat. I’ve decided that I need a change of scenery and applying for jobs.

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I just posted this same question… I thought it was just me being ungrateful or bored and spoiled but I think I’m exhausted. I didn’t realize the exhaustion could last years… I’m just so tired. What can we do about this if we can really quit our jobs right now? Has anyone taken counseling and had it help?

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Feeling the same!

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