[stefano]

I've spent 3 days home, while 95% of the year I hardly spend 24 hrs out of my shop.
I am very frustrated because while I normally think I could do a lot of creative and pleasurable things with some spare time, I found myself void and hesitating about everything. I reverted to just mending the room, just to make sure my time was not completely wasted.
Probably I should just be happy taht I HAVE a job, but I have to realize that if one DOES a job almost every waking hour, he finally BECOMES his job. I fear i AM my job
That is because I can't reward myself from my job, I do good things but can't get satisfaction from it. I should change this, but however I greatly improved in the last year, my depressive attitude prevents me from taking serious steps

I apologize with those who have no job at all and are in dire straits. Thank you for reading. But please spend your time replying to someone with worse problems.

[Pomegranate]

Stefano Are your working hours causing you problems in other areas of your life? Does it make you unhappy to spend so much time working?

If your job makes you happy, what's so bad about that? But if the hours spent at your job just make you unhappy, then yes you need to change that for yourself. I find that if I accept what actually does make me happy, versus what I feel "should" make me happy, well.... I'm happier! It's part of accepting and liking yourself just as you are and not waiting until you become the person you think you "should" be.

Maybe you just have too much free time over the holidays? Once you get back to your regular routine you won't feel so bad. Most people seem to go a bit crazy in one way or another over the holiday season. Don't make too much of it.

Assessing my self worth solely on my job performance lead to burnout that shut me down; sort of a put-all-your-eggs-in-one-basket thing. Even doing what you enjoy doing may be a way of avoiding problems that demand attention.

Good luck.

[Naturefreak]

(((Stefano)))

[idontknow13]

(((((Stefano)))))
I USED to be my job....but like TheByzantine, it led me to a burnout/chronic depression. I used to hate weekends, especially long weekends. After going through hell in the past year and being on sick leave for 7 months, I have now gone back to the same job but with a completely different attitude, my job is a place to be part of the day and concentrate on, doing my best but when 5:00 comes, I close the door and dont think about it till the next morning, it is only a job, something to get money so I can enjoy my life. I also used my job so I would not think of other issues which needed looking at..I have since and my life is so much better.
I just want to add that if your job saves you in some ways, that is good also, I just hope you dont end up where I did.
Take good care of yourself

[justfloating]

(((((((((stefano)))))))))

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by stefano

I am very frustrated because while I normally think I could do a lot of creative and pleasurable things with some spare time, I found myself void and hesitating about everything.

Oh, Stefano! This is familiar. I can imagine all sorts of things, but to act, to complete - no.

[lonegael]

I co nstantly am fighting becoming my job, which is hard, because I use myself so much in my work (hard to describe what I mean.) I guess if your personality is such a huge part of whether your work pans out or not, then it's hard not to be the job. As it is, i have a hard time taking ff the job when i get home. Not good, but there you go.

[AdamAW]

Stefano,

please do not think that your problems are unimportant just because there are others who are suffering in a different way. Very few people would wish to be in the position that you are in of having to work the whole time, and you are as deserving of our sympathy as anyone else.

Wishing you the best in terms of trying to get a good work, life balance, and finding some joy and happiness in your life.

I apologize with those who have no job at all and are in dire straits. Thank you for reading. But please spend your time replying to someone with worse problems.[/quote]

[stefano]

Thank you all for replying
It was helpful to see that the work overdose is a known problem. I suspected it, but reading direct witnesses is different.
I'll try to improve the things. The problem is complicated because it is the family business, I am non only responsible for myself, but for my parents too. Regarding the job, I hate it all the time
Anyway, thank you sooo much for solidarity and encouragement