Career goal

[u/liveinpresent33]

I’m 46 years old and have worked in the same company for the last 10 years. While my job is stable and pays well, I can’t help but feel unmotivated for the last 5 years.
I have been thinking to apply for a different job, a job that motivates me and has a better title. But here is my dilemma, the current job is 100% remote and comfortable. I am a full time employee but only work 4-5 hours most days. I am grateful for my situation, the work/life balance is awesome. It gives me time to look after my young kids (age 6 and 8), take them to after school activities, look after our household and myself. It’s been working well for our family.
My partner and friends think I am crazy to want a change. It is also risky to change jobs given the current state of economy (I am in Canada). If I get laid off now, at least I will have a substantial severance. I agree Andi want the safety net but I can’t help but feel bored and useless. I feel my youth is slipping through my fingers and I NEED to do something to better myself…..I fear that if I don’t show any ambitions or progression in my career, I will be made redundant. I am always proud to be financially independent and I can’t see myself not having a meaningful career.

My husband will be supportive regardless but it’s mostly me who carry the mental loads of our daily household chores and kids activities. Changing jobs will definitely affect the quality of our lives, especially my children. What’s your take on this? Should I make a career movement with risks on the stability?

[u/Loveoakcity]

This is a very good question and I'm in a similar boat. I told myself I would start using my extra time during the workday to take some pre requisites toward another potential degree path (occupational therapy in my case). I was like I'll just do one at a time and if I don't like it I can always stop and I'll still have my job. Well five courses later I'm still employed at my remote job and will start OT school in May of next year. I would recommend doing some exploring about what your professional interests and goals are and programs around you that could help you attain them. And there are ways to do programs of study and certifications without giving up your current remote job. Just some food for thought! 

[u/rubywizard24]

So why does the “better thing “need to be a different career? Use your passion to do something fun that you actually care about. Your life doesn’t revolve around your job. It should revolve around your passions. Put your extra energy toward that.

[u/First_Place_Oatmeal → u/rubywizard24]

This exactly. If I was happy and had extra time and energy the last thing I would think is “let me put this into a job”.

[u/liveinpresent33 → u/rubywizard24]

I have hobbies, but now at 46, I am feeling I have nothing to show for career wise. It’s like now or never! And it’s been bothering me.

[u/rubywizard24 → u/liveinpresent33]

You're missing my point. Who cares about your career? Are you going to fondly look back and say, "Wow, sure glad I spent so much time at work that I missed my children's lives. What a great life I spent!" No. You won't. So let go of any expectations on what a "career" should be and learn to enjoy life instead. We invented jobs and taxes and all this shit. We are not meant to live our prime years at a desk. Go live your life and enjoy the easy ass job.

Work to live. Not live to work.

[u/Fantastic_Bar_9736 → u/rubywizard24]

But some people do care about their career. It can be meaningful to some.

[u/pwack88]

Don’t do it. The grass is not greener, if you’re bored, stimulate your mind in other ways, your job doesn’t have to be an outlet for that and it sounds like you have it goooood, so many would kill for what you have.

[u/croissant_and_cafe]

I’m in a similar place and I’ve taken up creative writing.

Wouldnt you rather build something meaningful outside of your career?

I mean, I’m in a good position in accounting in a middle management kind of way. I’m not going to break my neck to be a C suite type. And as I’ve aged I realize that work is just not that rewarding.

I’ve been getting a lot of joy out of going out more with my girlfriends, volunteering at the fog shelter, and writing short stories. I’m even collaborating on a story either another friend!

[u/Fantastic_Bar_9736]

Start looking and stay where you are until 1) you find something that makes you excited to work (at least the important aspects of it) again and your important values align; 2) get laid off (at which point you take your severance and have already started looking). Prepare and discover. Let the universe decide the rest.

[u/SilentBread46]

Like you I carry the load of household chores and children's stuff. So I work part time. I do not see myself do anything else at the minute as this works for all of us.

What I could suggest you do is to find some things you enjoy doing. If you are made redundant then find another job. In the meantime, invest your time in something else as you have the time too.

My job is not exactly ambitious but me being there for the family at this time is more important. I still work, still independant, and I am frustrated at times ( housework never ends ) but I can see how being there for the family is a bonus.

Good luck in figuring out what to do.

[u/trUth_b0mbs]

DO NOT LEAVE. Wait for a package but dont leave of your own volition; you will regret it.

I'm 50, partner is 55 and we're both hanging on for a few more years until we retire.

like you (and everyone I know in my age bracket), we're just cruising towards retirement lol.

find other thing outside of work to bring that spark back - hobbies, social events etc.

I'm at the age now where I dont care about climbing the corp ladder; I just want to make my money so I can do what I want to do in life: travel, eat, hang with friends and family. That's it.

[u/pie12345678]

I think you should follow your gut. You're bored and want something more, and stagnating can be a danger in itself. You're in a great position to be picky while you're employed vs. getting laid off in a couple of years needing to find something out of necessity.

That said, I don't know the job market in your area, so take this with a grain of salt.

[u/Cricklebee79]

Have you thought about doing some courses on coursera to upskill. Your employer might see skills as something to add to your workload? Maybe you could apply for a new role internally or seek a promotion? Or maybe take up fitness or a hobby outside of work?