[Hopeful Camel]

I'm two weeks into a new job, and it is not agreeing with my bipolar illness. I am having serious anxiety attacks, crying jags, and serious depression. I feel panicked a lot of the time. It is a very high stress job. The money is good. The work is highly stressful and I don't like it.
I can also work for myself. It is an option. The money won't be steady, or near as good. There is a level of uncertainty to the financial part of it. But I have better control of my work flow, and I can adjust my work day and work life to mesh better with my mental illness. This is a big plus for me. I feel happier when I think about doing this work, save for not having my big dollar job.
I am torn. I can only quit my job once. I am the sole breadwinner for my family. I have a lot riding on my shoulders. I am barely functional a lot of days, due to the bipolar. I had actually been applying for social security disability in the past year, I was so unable to function.
The stress of all of this is killing me.
I'd appreciate some input and your thoughts. Thanks!

[IowaFarmGal]

No amount of money makes up for bad working conditions. You just end up damaging your work history and your mental health. If you have another option go for it! Good Luck!

[StayinAlive]

It is good to know you have the option of being self-employed. I am not making light of your feelings -- I wanted to add that new jobs are stressful for everyone. Is there a chance it might get better if you give it some time? I've read some of your other posts and I know you've been struggling. Wish I had a better answer.

[Hopeful Camel]

Originally Posted by StayinAlive

It is good to know you have the option of being self-employed. I am not making light of your feelings -- I wanted to add that new jobs are stressful for everyone. Is there a chance it might get better if you give it some time? I've read some of your other posts and I know you've been struggling. Wish I had a better answer.

You nailed it on the head. I HAVE been struggling. It is a new job. It could very well get better. New jobs are hard for everyone.

I appreciate you putting it together so nicely for me. I have just been so rattled at work, that it is adding to my struggle. There is a big part of me that wants to get one part of my life under control. Thank you for your reply!

[brainhi]

I am much much happier being self-employed...even though the money is not great. I like having as much freedom as possible to manage my life/career.

[Hopeful Camel]

I quit my job today. I am feeling shaky, but hopeful. My boss got really abusive with me when I quit, so that was hard. I guess he was just mad. I can do this. I've been in private practice for 15+ years and made a living. It is so much easier for me to manage my mental illness and my work life when I am self-employed. I really need the autonomy. I will be ok.

[CosmicRose]

Is it possible to work on your self employment business for a couple of hours each day after work to get that ball rolling and earn extra income, while sticking with this job as just a means to an end? Growing your business on the side? Perhaps splitting the two will put less pressure on you at your day job, and slowly grow your self employment business on your hours off? That way when you do decide to quit your job, your self employment will be a little more lucrative? I'm not sure what you do but if there's a way to sort of give each of these jobs some time, perhaps the struggle won't be felt so deeply.

[CosmicRose]

Originally Posted by Hopeful Camel

I quit my job today. I am feeling shaky, but hopeful. My boss got really abusive with me when I quit, so that was hard. I guess he was just mad. I can do this. I've been in private practice for 15+ years and made a living. It is so much easier for me to manage my mental illness and my work life when I am self-employed. I really need the autonomy. I will be ok.

Oops I didn't read this part, well congrats on following your dreams! You can do it! You also have 15+ years of experience in case something doesn't work out so either way you'll be okay!

[hvert]

When they get abusive when you quit, it's a sign you made the right choice!

[brainhi]

Hopeful Camel....I wish you the very best...even though it's difficult at times - you are in control of your journey and the rewards.

[StayinAlive]

Thanks for letting us know what happened. You're taking care of yourself, that is what matters. Thinking of you.

[anxteach]

I'm glad you made the decision to do what you need to do to keep you healthy. Kudos

[JamesO2]

I just wanted to ask: of the people who are listing themselves as self emplyoyed in this topic, what is it that you do?

Bipolar has really interfered with my ability to hold and perform at most jobs. I'm currently unemployed and struggling with motivation at the moment. But I would love to give freelance design/illustration another try.

I really need the autonomy. Because my moods are already pretty out of control, when my work schedule is also out of my control, it's only harder.

I really need the freedom to work and rest when I need to. Because working regular day jobs burns me out to no end.

[hvert]

James02, I am in a similar sort of limbo. I've had one day job in four years. I quit it after nine months. My background is in IT/software. My idea four years ago was that I would start a business based on a specific idea. I've started a dozen business projects, haven't finished any.

I also really want the freedom to work when I want, but I have found that it is extremely difficult at times to find the motivation to work at all.

I also struggle because whatever self-employment you dream up, selling yourself is key and may take up 50% of your time. I like sitting in front of a computer coding, but I struggle to self-promote. Estimating the amount of time it takes to do something as well as how long I can sustain interest in a project have also been challenges for me.

I am at a point now where I need to be self-employed rather than just on sabbatical and finding that it's very difficult to make the switch. It makes me wonder if I am suitable for self-employment at all, which I find very discouraging to contemplate.

[brainhi]

I have some suggestions.....if you can volunteer some of your services..others will get a look at you and may have suggestions for employment. The place you volunteer with may even want to pay you eventually. Let them see what you are capable of getting accomplished - without telling them the details of you mental health situation.

I dog sat for families for extra $ while looking for ways to make $ ... I love dogs so I always looked forward to it.

If you are up to it...attend any kind of "meet ups" (search for groups on the computer).

There were those days that I did not feel like going anywhere...but I was always happy after I got there and was engaged.

Those experiences helped me become more creative.

The work I do now I found through a group with people that are in "career transition".

I started out making $300 a week....I grew to love what I was doing. I make more now but I still struggle financially. But this is one of the rare times in my life that I love what I do. I do not have too much going on in other aspects of my live. In general I am much happier.

Somebody needs your services - but, they are not going to drop on your doorstep...
get out there and show them you abilities.

Others may have ideas as well.

[JamesO2]

Thanks Brainhi! That's a lot of useful info. I've looked for meetups in my area.. And there just aren't any. But that's also why I want to move to the city. I've been looking at the meetup pages for Chicago, and there's TONS. So I might have to relocate to better my odds.

My girlfriend loves dogs and is also currently unemployed. I've recommended she try dog walking/sitting. But she's a little hard to push into motion, like me. How exactly do you get started in the dog sitting business? Like, specifically. Any tips? I think that's something we'd both love.

And really the money isn't important to me. The happiness and a sense of fulfilment are my top priority always.

[CosmicRose]

Originally Posted by JamesO2

I just wanted to ask: of the people who are listing themselves as self emplyoyed in this topic, what is it that you do?

Bipolar has really interfered with my ability to hold and perform at most jobs. I'm currently unemployed and struggling with motivation at the moment. But I would love to give freelance design/illustration another try.

I really need the autonomy. Because my moods are already pretty out of control, when my work schedule is also out of my control, it's only harder.

I really need the freedom to work and rest when I need to. Because working regular day jobs burns me out to no end.

Hi James, I work from home on commission through a website. I found my job through my sister who told me about it one day. If she hadn't told me about it, I wouldn't have even known such a job existed. It's basically selling things over the phone or online and it takes a lot of energy so some days I only work 2-4 hours a day, but since it's on commission I make decent money. You need to be careful about the online jobs though because most of them are scams. I think you would have a better time finding a job through an agency that allows you to work through a phone at home or in an office somewhere.

[JamesO2]

Originally Posted by CosmicRose

Hi James, I work from home on commission through a website. I found my job through my sister who told me about it one day. If she hadn't told me about it, I wouldn't have even known such a job existed. It's basically selling things over the phone or online and it takes a lot of energy so some days I only work 2-4 hours a day, but since it's on commission I make decent money. You need to be careful about the online jobs though because most of them are scams. I think you would have a better time finding a job through an agency that allows you to work through a phone at home or in an office somewhere.

Any chance you could hook me up with a referral to said company? Or at least the name of it?

Trying to dodge the scams is hard. I haven't found a legit job online yet.

[CosmicRose]

This might sound weird but I think they only hire women, at least the large majority, because it is based on female products and female sellers. Sort of like Avon, I guess.

[JamesO2]

Ah. Fair enough. It was worth a shot asking. Thanks.