I totally understand how you feel. I'm 39 and spent fourteen years at the same financial institution. I cried so much when I was there. I had an awful boss. my motto there was "people don't leave their jobs, they leave their bosses." I saw plenty of hard workers leave because of the corporate b.s., layers of management and micro-managing. I had six weeks vacation and it wasn't enough to even out the everyday panic attacks I felt when I was there.

And then I quit (on good terms). I went to dog grooming school (a life-long dream of mine). I spent the next ten months trying to make dog grooming work for me but I couldn't financially, so that in and of itself was making more anxiety for myself. I recently found a job at a non-profit.

I am making half of what I was making at the bank, but the environment is totally worth it. I'm still struggling financially but after no money in the dog grooming, I'm happy to get what I'm getting, plus benefits. until I read your post I hadn't thought about it, but I haven't cried ONCE at my new job. that is worth everything I've been through right there. so THANK YOU for helping me realize that!

sounds like you need a change. perhaps accounting isn't for you, but perhaps it's not the work so much as the environment? only you can answer that one.

if the boyfriend's not making you happy, perhaps it's time to take some time to yourself. ask yourself, is the relationship worth it? only you can answer that one, too.

if you're not already in therapy, give that a try. you may want to talk to a career counselor in your area and see if you can find another job (depending on how you answered the accounting question above). perhaps you stay with accounting, perhaps you go in another direction. either way, you need to get out of that environment, imo.

sorry to hi-jack your thread with my story but I can totally relate so I thought I'd share. I know how you feel, wanting a change--like yesterday. it may take some time (it took me a year) but you CAN change your life. if I could, you can too!