[Superheroine]

My job is too stressful and triggering. I've been there for four years and I just can't do it anymore. I've decided to put in my 2 weeks when I go back on Wednesday. Trouble is, I don't have anything lined up. I'm looking for part-time work, but my options are severely limited. I have a dog with separation anxiety who needs to go to daycare, which costs a fortune. I can't afford daycare on a part-time salary, so I have to be able to find a job where I can bring her. So I've applied to a few PetSmart stores that have day camps and doggy daycares. In total, I've applied to 7 places so far. I'm a little worried that I won't get something in the next month or two. And of course, being that I have severe anxiety and PTSD and depression and low self-esteem, I feel like I'm never going to get hired anywhere. *sigh* I wish life was easier, but it's so damn hard all the time.

[Yzen]

Is there any way to make your current job work at least until you get something else? Maybe you could have a conversation with them to discuss what is stressing you most about the job or ask them if you could switch to another job at the company that would less stressful for you.

[rechu]

What a tough situation. I recently quit a job where the owner was a total bully, without having a new job. He had such bad anger management issues that I sometimes would break down in tears after leaving work meetings. By the time I left, I was having panic attacks when I had to deal with him.

Like you, I have two dogs that have a tough time being alone all day. One has separation anxiety and gets destructive. The other is elderly and senile, so he gets disoriented and needs calming down. The one good thing about that job is that I could work from home much of the time, so I didn't have to leave the dogs alone for too long.

Fortunately, my husband has a decent job and supported me resigning, so we are okay financially. I was being underpaid as it was, and my workload was being constatnly increased, while the owner reneged on the raises and bonuses he had promised. Therefore, it wasn't a huge financial hit.

I left that job at the end of April. After taking some time to regroup I am now working on a new business idea I have.

I guess in your case, the question is how long you can get by without a job. Do you have some savings if it takes a few months to find something? Can you make some changes in your living situation to reduce expenses? Can you tolerate it for a few more months and set aside some more money? How is the job market where you live? It sounds like you are very stressed out and I think leaving that job will help, but I would take a look at your financial considerations first.

Hugs and good luck. Being in an awful job is so soul sucking.

[LaDauphine]

I think you should definitely stick it out at work until you find something else.
All of the emotions you're feeling will be amplified if you don't know how you're going to pay your rent.
Personally, I think that'd would be a much more stressful way to live than a job I hated.

Emotionally distance yourself from your job, if you can. Become indifferent. You do need it to pay your bills, but it doesn't own you. You will find something else, but who knows how long it will take?

Could you downsize? Rent a smaller place to save some money? The thing about part-time work (I work PT myself) is that they tend to be low level entry positions and therefore do not pay much so unless you're prepared to budget the transition may shock you.

Good luck, .

[Superheroine]

Due to an investigation into my "conduct", I'm already in a different department from my usual job. The investigation is a load of shite. Just one more reason I want to get the Hell out there. The whole agency triggers severe anxiety and I need to get away.

I live with my friend and her father so I'm not paying rent. I'll be cutting down on some of my expenditures and if I'm home, my dog won't have to go to daycare. I'll just take her to a park and that'll save me a ton of money. My parents said they'd help supplement my income, but I'd feel a whole lot better if I had something lined up.

[Nimitri]

I'm happy that you have people you can count on. Just remember: the situation is veyr bad right now so don't feel bad or discouraged or hurt yourself because you don't find wokr immediately or in the next few months. It will take time and try to do as much as you can for your friend, and that you can do it. You are capable of finding a new job and a new life.

[seesaw]

Superheroine,

Just speaking from previous experience, if you can hang on until you have something else lined up, it will be so much better. I wholeheartedly support you changing jobs, but if you can tough it out for a while longer until something else is lined up, then try as hard as you can to do so. I speak from doing the same myself, and I didn't have anything lined up and it turned into a downward spiral, whereas if I had found other work and changed jobs instead of just quitting, I think I would be better off now than I am.

Seesaw