Sundays used to be my least favorite day of the week. It sounds weird because most people say they hate Mondays.
However, for me, the Sunday blues or scaries as I call it used to hit me harder than the dreaded Monday morning alarm clock ringing in my ear. I would get an intense pit in my stomach when Sunday mornings come around. Then on Mondays, I’d hit snooze more times than I like to remember.
I waited until the last possible minute to get up out of bed, rush to shower, put on my clothes, most of the time skip breakfast, head off to work, and barely make it in time. Since COVID shutdown I’ve taught from home, and there are days I still hit snooze over and over and get up later knowing I don’t have a commute and could spend more time in bed. Luckily these days are few and far between.
Does this sound familiar?
Well, you’re definitely not alone. Unfortunately, more and more people are unhappy and unfulfilled with their work. Yet, they stay in their current work situation because they don’t know what to do instead.
They wish for Friday to arrive and by Sunday Sunday they experience that dreaded feeling creeping in. You know that pit in your stomach you get knowing that Monday is around the corner, and your work week is about to start.
You may even be exhausted working all the time, depleted, and not have enough energy to do the things you once loved. So binge-watching your favorite TV show or Netflix seriese becomes the norm and helps you escape reality. For me, it use to be sleeping my days away to shut out the world. If you have kids, you might feel the guilt of not being 100% present because your mind is constantly thinking about going back to work or you’re constantly doing things for work instead of spending time with them. .
What if I told you that life isn’t meant for us to spend dreading it?
I know it’s hard to believe this, but so many people around you are in the same boat. Don’t ignore that gentle nudge or inner knowing that you’re meant for more or it’s time to make a change. It’s happening for a reason. Your intuition reminds you that enjoying your life and truly being happy isn’t a privilege. It’s your birthright.
The choice is ultimately in your hands, and even if it’s scary, it’s so worth it. I know this because I, use to dread getting up to start my workday when I was an elementary classroom teacher because of fear of being scrutinized by my principal. This happened on three separate occasions over the course of 11 years.
Far too many years spent wasted, full of anxiety when I could have been spending it enjoying the present moment and living with joy. Years I can never get back. I don’t want that for you. Instead, I want you to find balance and joy in your work and the life you live.
Here’s what you can do instead: (because chances are you aren’t leaving your job just yet)
1. Get clear on what you want. Then take action. Sit down and really contemplate what you really want for a career or work. Do you want to start a business? If so, find out what you want to start it in, and make your dream a reality. Then, all you have to do is start. No one says you have to quit your day job just yet. In fact, you can do both until your business takes off. If you want to find a better fit career or job, start applying to other jobs.
2. Find gratitude in the work you currently do. You might not be truly happy in your career or job, but there is always something to be grateful for in your life. Maybe it’s as simple as I have a steady paycheck, or it’s the fact that you utilize the skills you went to school for.
3. Listen to uplifting music before you start your workday. I can guarantee you that it will pump you up.
4. Use positive affirmations to encourage yourself. For example, instead of telling yourself, “I can’t do this” or “I can’t make it through my work week,” tell yourself, “I can do this” or “I can make it through my work week.” The more you affirm your positive affirmation, the more you are training your mind to start to believe this. In time, you will be able to overcome the negativity that your work brings.
It’s okay to no longer enjoy the work you are currently doing, and it’s definitely okay to make shifts and changes. However, no one has to stay in a job or career forever. Get crystal clear on what you want in a future job, career, or work (business), and you will find yourself even happier than ever.
If you aren’t 100% sure what you want, then tune in to how you want to feel (or not feel). As women, our brain likes to talk us out of anything that we are unsure of doing because of the risk of it possibly not working out. I want to let you know that your body, feelings, and emotions are the driver, not your brain. In fact, your brain will talk you out of pretty much anything. Its sole purpose is to keep you safe. So, it’s not going to risk you expanding, growing, and evolving. Listen to your feelings and emotions, and if it’s telling you it’s time for a change in your career or work, act on that, and take small steps to make your dreams a reality.
If you want some guidance from someone who’s experienced being unhappy and unfilled in their career, my inbox and DMs are always open!
Always remember you are meant to find balance and joy in your work and the life you live. It is possible too!
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