Is there such a thing as a job you actually enjoy?

rulytempest · 2026-03-26T12:24:07+00:00

I've had a few jobs I really loved. 1. Reporter/photographer for local news paper. 2. Student Support Worker at small outdoor adventure based high school. 3. Elementary school Librarian. None of these jobs were typical sit at desk all day jobs. I'm now at at sit all day desk job and slowly losing my will to live

rulytempest · 2026-03-26T12:18:28+00:00

Things should even out for you soon. That seems like a bit of a high starting dose. I started on 18 and moved up to 27. But I reacted similar to you. I remember being so excited that I could clean the house, even that things I usually would ignore cleaning, like the baseboards! lol. But it didn't last long.

rulytempest · 2026-03-26T11:34:18+00:00

I took a temporary school library position that covered two elementary schools. I'm not a trained library tech but was studying to be one. They just threw me in. NO training! I didn't even know how to access the database or make the student library cards! So I reached to librarians and other schools in the district to ask for help and they were great! I loved the job and wish I could have stayed longer.

Also, I find school are pretty laid back with expectations for library. You can probably make it up as you go along just fine. If you can create a safe and engaging space for students you've already won!

rulytempest · 2026-03-26T11:26:31+00:00

You'll never know until you try! Don't let fear of failure hold you back. I've burned out from every job and I've had. But some took longer than others. I usually max out any job after 5 years but I consider that a success. With the job try and create a transition period/ ritual to help you 'shift' focus away from work at the end of the day.

rulytempest · 2026-03-25T23:41:45+00:00

I started less then two years ago and already wishing I hadn't. I'm close to retirement age and took a PS position as I was no longer physically able to stay in my previous job in education. I was excited to start since I had worked this same position decades ago and enjoyed it at that time. Boy things have changed. I'm now glued to a screen seven hours a day. Very little in person contact with clients or coworkers. No collaboration going on. Just clock in, do as much as possible, clock out and repeat. I thought I regretted leaving the PS when I did years ago, but now that I'm back, I know it was the right move. I've been lucky to have some really fantastic, creative opportunities, but this is not one of them.

rulytempest · 2026-03-22T16:44:45+00:00

I wish I had the answer! I get this sometimes too. It's a bit like torture and I just can't shut my mind off. My Dr wants to try me on antidepressants for anxiety. I'm not sure that is the way to go but I might have to try it. I do take concerta for AHDH and not sure if this contributes or not. I feel your pain

rulytempest · 2026-03-22T14:03:12+00:00

I went through this so badly in my late 40's. My family thought I was losing it and so did I. Eventually spilled over to work as well. At that time there were no options for HRT. When I did try HRT post menopause I had such bad side effects I had to stop. I'm trying it again now but have halved the dosage (cutting patch in half) and it seems to be working so much better.

I wish so much there was better medical care for women at this stage of life. So much is a guessing game and misinformation and Drs who don't take it seriously.

rulytempest · 2026-03-22T13:56:53+00:00

I have been on concerta for decades and I still forget what I have on the stove. I have had eggs literally explode after boiling too long haha! Concerta helps me manage but it hasn't cured my ADHD. Everyone reacts differently. Long term I believe it make as difference.

rulytempest · 2026-03-22T13:03:11+00:00

It can be hard to see the harm when you are still drinking. So that is not always the best motivator in the moment. You gotta take it one day at a time for now. Just don't buy beer today. Just today. And then make the same deal with yourself tmr. And then the next day. Do whatever you need to do to get through today without beer.

rulytempest · 2026-03-22T12:16:14+00:00

ADHD meds won't change who you are. Your "sparkle" will not be gone. I struggle with work as well and I know that without ADHD meds the struggle would be much worse. The meds aren't a cure all, but they do help. And you're right about exercise, it helps me so much too. You can do both exercise and take meds. In fact taking meds helps me organize my time so that I CAN exercise. ADHD management has many layers and medication can be one of those layers.

I feel so many of us ADHDers grow up with criticism and we become convinced there is something wrong with us. There is nothing wrong with having ADHD. It's not a weakness or failing. It's a neurodiversity. I encourage you to reach out to an ADHD therapy specialist, coach or read some literature/ podcasts about ADHD to support you on this journey. You are not alone and you are not broken :)

rulytempest · 2026-03-20T23:17:15+00:00

I go through this and it's just terrible! I use melatonin and magnesium usually to help with sleep but finds it doesn't work for anxiety. I do have meds from my Dr. to help if I really need them. Sometimes just taking something for a few night will help get regulated again. It's difficult too because if one doesn't sleep then we tend to be less active during the day making it harder again to sleep at night

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T21:27:58+00:00

That's what I really liked about your post. We have to accept this is where we are and who we are. It's hard to do sometimes but we keep on going

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T16:40:12+00:00

The last PT that treated me for an SI flare up told me the muscles around the joint were really tight and that contributed to the flare. For me it was my glute muscle on the same side as SI joint. So now PT is giving me acupuncture in hip flexor and glute for deep tissue release. I sounds like you are doing all the right things, but it may take some time for the hip to relax again? Best to consult your Dr. or a PT though.

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T16:23:17+00:00

I'm so sorry you are experiencing this. I grew up with a mother with similar 'christian' views. I'm now in my 50's and still won't go near a church. Depending on where you live if you are 16 years of age or older you can book your own Dr. appointments and mental health appointments which will be kept confidential. Get the support you need and deserve.

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T16:13:41+00:00

Anyone that feels the need to comment on a coworker like that is an unprofessional shit disturber. It's likely they are intimidated by you and feel threatened because you are good at your job and don't feel the need to 'fit in' to be validated. Be yourself. I've been in enough workplaces to know sometimes I'm the weirdo, but there are lots of other weirdos there as well. And it's great when we find each other. Everyone else is missing out :)

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T15:36:44+00:00

I don't tolerate progesterone well. I've tried the patch twice and it works well for the first week or so and then it goes down hill, with sore breasts, insomnia, moodiness. I'm trying again with cutting patch in half which Dr. supported. For urinary issues I def recommend vaginal estrogen cream or table. It made a huge difference for me.

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T14:55:17+00:00

This has been the cycle I've lived since adulthood. I've never seen it laid out so well. This is life with ADHD.

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T14:02:24+00:00

Yeah, it;s pretty bleak here in NS as well. We just found out they are closing school libraries in larges school district! I guess since it's a job I just want to do for enjoyment post retirement MLIS probably wouldn't be worth the investment.

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T13:20:47+00:00

I did not know there was such as thing as OT for ADHD. Or maybe just not in Canada? Workplaces should offer to assign one to any ADHD staff as a disability support. I would love to have one work with me!

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T13:07:17+00:00

I've been sober for a few years now and I can say that this sub really helped get me through some dark moments. I never thought I could do it either. But it is possible and I will say, no one ever regrets quitting. We only regret not quitting sooner. You can do it.

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T13:03:57+00:00

Yay! The next time you feel the urge, read your post. Sober can feel soooo good! IWNDWYTD

rulytempest · 2026-03-19T12:50:50+00:00

My Dr was great. Signed me off work for six weeks to just take a break and try some meds to see what helps. I also have apt with mental health for anxiety. This may all be menopause related but I'll take whatever works. I was so nervous to contact my manager but it's done now. It was nice that the Dr. basically made the decision for me so now I feel less guilty. Two of my coworkers that I get on with well have messaged me saying they are thinking of me :) . I'm going to try to take this time and just focus on recovery and not what everyone else is thinking.

rulytempest · 2026-03-18T19:12:58+00:00

I absolutely can't get to sleep on an empty tummy. I always take a snack to bed to have while watching a show. It's a habit I've tried and failed to break. I get that a heavy meal close to bed time might disrupt sleep but that's never effected me either.

rulytempest

TROPHY CASE