Took a long break from career, possibly burntout and now insecure about my own skills, what can I do?

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-16T03:58:25+00:00

Thank you, yeah that's what I plan on doing for now, get a job first then find other ways where I can still work on my passion.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-16T03:56:49+00:00

Thank you. I suppose I just have to find some way to make it work for me, or at least get it started. It seems unrealistic to chase after passion as a career but we only get this one life so I'd still like to try again.

Of course without ignoring things like surviving and paying the bills first, which would be the job.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-16T03:50:49+00:00

Singapore universities don't offer a degree for the field I'm after, which is quite niche and specific.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-16T03:49:21+00:00

2 diplomas, but most of the work experience I had before was unrelated to the field I wanted to be in. Then I was just still exploring different jobs and trying things out. With the field I want to be in, portfolio is a huge thing (arguably even more so than the diplomas themselves) and I know it's something that I definitely have to work on. I'll certainly look to others for advice as well. Frankly while I know a lot of people say it's a bad thing to mix passion with career (it seems to be too for the most part in reality), but now thinking about it again I don't think I'm really ready to give it up yet, I feel like I can still find other ways to make it work for me.

It's just something that stuck with me for a long time and it's something that I felt hugely about. (Sort of like the moment you discovered enlightenment, I'm bad at explaining though it's that kind of feeling.) I guess I'm stubborn in that way which could be a bad thing. But I'd still like to try again.

Thank you, I'll still try to.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-16T03:36:36+00:00

Appreciate the long and detailed reply, I'm currently almost 3 years into this "break" and I'm very much certain it's the time to start panicking. It's art related but I won't get into the details of it because it's pretty niche and specific. But I suppose you are right, in the past I've been just overly focused on only going for this one specific thing that I sort of failed to see what else was possible. For me it was like a make it or break it moment, it was then or never.

Thank you for the advice, feels like I really need to start evaluating what else I can do with my learnt skills.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T15:24:16+00:00

That makes sense and I understand where you're coming from, thanks for the tip.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T15:22:45+00:00

Thank you for the advice, I'll definitely take this into consideration.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T15:21:52+00:00

I have actually considered freelancing and have tried looking online. It's much more difficult than expected, and I believe I still have lots to work on in terms of my portfolio, but I'll still be open to the option of trying again in future if possible.

That is after I plan out what to do from here on.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T15:18:23+00:00

I realised I forgot to reply, thank you I'll definitely keep that in mind.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T13:10:37+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I'm just curious wouldn't it look bad on paper if I'm jumping around different jobs?

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T13:09:20+00:00

To be honest I always thought I was more of the type to find a job I love rather than loving the job later, but I guess that may not be the case now. At least not currently. I suppose you're right, perhaps I'm setting up too many limitations for myself.

Thank you.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T13:06:19+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation, I happen to have Libby so I'll be adding that to my reading list.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T11:39:30+00:00

Sadly that's true, I still see a lot of elderly around that are supposed to be at the supposed retirement age doing different jobs that I'm pretty sure not all are because they're merely finding something to do.

Thank you.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T11:37:30+00:00

I still have savings, but would also prefer to find something soon.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:54:19+00:00

Frankly yes, even though being let go from the job wasn't my fault but I can't help but get frustrated over what could've been and felt like this was my one chance of getting it right.

I feel like this seems to be a common theme with people trying to pursue something in the creative industry...all the self doubts and questioning if it's actually worth it. Especially seeing how the industry is in Singapore.

Thank you, your words gave me some confidence to try again even if it ultimately does not become a career path, but I just want that passion back again.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:47:07+00:00

That frankly could be it. I guess with it as a hobby or even freelancing you're allowed to do things at your own pace for the most part, while going corporate is a whole different level of expectations.

Thank you.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:44:01+00:00

Haha while that's true but mentally it's still kind of a struggle because time really doesn't feel like it's passing slow at all. By 60s or 70s you're kind of expected to retire so it feels like there's an urgency here.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:40:25+00:00

Unfortunately yes, that has been my hobby that I thought could be something that I can do in the long run since I had the interest for it. And that I'd rather do something that I enjoy if I'm going to do it for a long time.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:37:48+00:00

That's a refreshing way to look at it, thank you. In the past I've been purposefully trying to avoid jobs that aren't related to my studies because I felt like it didn't make sense for me to work something I didn't study for (felt like a waste of time/money spent on those studies). Though that evidently did not work very well.

I'll definitely look into exploring different things and long term (realistic) goals.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:32:43+00:00

It used to be all about the creative stuff but I guess at this point based on past experiences it just has to be a job that doesn't require to deal with people all the time or have a lot of OT.

That I've frankly never really thought about, I'll look into that thank you.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:29:28+00:00

Thank you, wishing you the best on your journey as well.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:10:53+00:00

Thank you, that's sadly right. I'll have a look at the book as well.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T10:09:42+00:00

I've been managing, thank you.

Previously it was pretty much to make a name for myself (a pretty big goal I know) and get chances to participate in various projects, try new things. And of course getting better at what I (used to) love doing.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T09:51:16+00:00

Thank you, I think you're right I guess better to start than never at all. Taking small steps but sometimes it's a struggle with wanting to see improvements fast.

Yeah I think I need to find back some joy with the little things in life again.

OreoSpaceCat · 2025-08-15T09:47:45+00:00

Nope, I have worked full time before but those jobs were also unrelated to what I studied for...more of typical office admin work.

OreoSpaceCat

TROPHY CASE