How to Cope with a Job You Hate?

[Emerald Rain]

I am at my wits end. I can't quit just yet because I don't have enough money to pay for bills beyond this month. Though I suppose I could use credit cards to stay afloat, I've got enough in available credit for a few months worth of expenses, but that seems a bit risky. I'm trying to look for a new job but most places are only hiring part-time. Perhaps two part time jobs are in order. In any case, I'm sure I can't be the only one who's in this position so I thought I'd see if anyone has suggestions to offer besides "Remember why you're at work" or "Just quit and take your chances" since that's the only advice I seem to come across.

I'll be the first to say that it could be a LOT worse. I've been working night audit at a hotel for the past four months. It's great because I have a lot of free time to read, write and browse online. It's also full time (but no benefits) which is nearly impossible to find in my area. But it's affecting my health more than any job I've ever had.

I can't sleep for more than 3-5 hours per day, if I'm lucky. Some days I can't sleep at all. It's so hard for me to stay awake at night that I ended up pounding down 1-2 energy drinks per night. Since I've decided to stop consuming energy drinks, I've been eating a lot and drinking soda to stay up. They're both horrible substitutes for sleep. My skin looks horrible, I'm gaining weight, I feel weaker than ever and mentally unstable. It's awful.

I barely see my boyfriend and family, and it's impossible for me to make friends while I'm on this shift. I'm so tired when I get home that I can hardly muster the strength to make dinner and clean, much less go out and interact with people or work on a way to become self sufficient financially. It's so draining. And the kicker is that I only make $1 more an hour than I did at my last job. Ugh.

Another thing that pisses me off is that the hotel shuttle hours are supposed to be from 7am to 10pm (I work 11pm-7am). But they keep scheduling shuttles when I'm working. My coworker doesn't have a license so I'm the one who gets stuck with them. I've been lucky so far in that the people who needed rides ended up being dropped off by family but tomorrow morning I have to take businessmen to a meeting in the shuttle that I've never driven before. I've received no training. They don't even know my driving history. It makes me really angry because I purposely avoided hotel jobs that mentioned driving a shuttle. So I think that's pretty stupid and dangerous on their part. It's the size of a small school bus and has minimal visibility. I've only ever driven a tiny car and I have absolutely no desire to change that right now, especially when I'm so sleep deprived.

So maybe this thread can also be a place to vent for people who don't have anyone else to talk to about this kind of situation. But ultimately I'd like to hear any advice that you guys can offer on how to get out of this kind of horrible mess.

[rawxstasy]

I'm sorry you are going through this. You are right. It is risky to quit the job especially in these economic times. I understand about the night shift. I work as a nurse nights but I am able to handle it. But it does really cut into social life ( I have none )

Could you at least try to get one part time job then quit? At least you would have some sort of income coming in. Also you can try buying or making some healthy food for snacking. I eat apples with peanut butter, I also make fruit juices with Chia seeds. I don't drink caffeinated drinks anymore.

Also when you get home... have about 1/2 hour of down time. Then go to bed. Don't do errands or exercise or anything.
I have shades and black curtains so no light gets in. Turn off your phone. You can try getting some sleep from 7pm - 10pm that also helps me. I usually sleep from 800am to 3pm. Then do errands and stuff then go back to bed around 7pm for a couple of hours.

People often feel sick when working the nightshift. That's why companies have trouble hiring people for nights. On your next job interview just tell them you couldn't physically handle being up all night. People understand.

[Peterw]

Find a new venture/career/business ans start on the road to making it happen. Even if it's just reading a book on something or starting a self-study course. Even if you can only give it a couple of hours a week start doing something that will lead you to a better life that you choose to live

This will change your persepctive, the taking action will give you a focus on somehting better and your existing situation will just be what you're currently doing to pay the bills.

My significant other has done this recently and before when she'd get very down about her job that she hates, now it doesn't affect her so much because there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

[Emerald Rain]

rawxstasy - Thank you so much for your suggestions. I'll try going to sleep earlier. I usually wait until the afternoon but by then my mind is so active from spending the morning reading and planning and running errands that I can't calm myself enough to sleep. I hadn't considered changing the time.

I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for any job opportunities, even if they're part time. I only had time to apply for one today but tonight I'll be approaching it more seriously. So you make it through the night without even tea or coffee? That's amazing.

Haha it's so funny because before I accepted this job I did some research about working third shift and people discussed how it impacted the immune system but I didn't think I'd feel so horrible. I thought I might get a cold or something but that was it. Boy, was I mistaken. On the bright side, I learned something: I'm a second shift person at heart

Peterw - It's funny you should mention that because I'm in the process of writing a book (thinking of writing short stories for now though, just so I have a better chance at getting something published) and I'm enrolled in an ecourse that discusses how to turn your passion into a career. Part of my problem is that I'm interested in so many different things, I have a difficult time narrowing down where I should start. I'd really like to start a website, small business, blog, but then I also love my writing projects. The lack of focus is definitely adding to my stress, that's for sure.

I'll try to look at it that way from now on: I'm only here to make money, in only a matter of time I'll be doing something more suited to my strengths. Thanks for the support Good luck to your sig o! It's so inspirational to see other people working toward their dreams.

[MissKriss]

i used to work a night shift at a bookstore - although it was not as late as you - we were out by 11pm or midnight most nights - and we all hung out and had movie nights after that - i would start at about 2pm or 3pm the next day - and for whatever reason it was easy for me to fall asleep - but it wasn't a schedule like yours exactly - obviously -

one thing i know from ayurveda - is it's very important to stop eating at least 3 hours before you go to bed - it's also very important to get 8 hours of sleep in a row - according to ayurveda - if you wait at least 3 hours after your last meal to sleep - it is much easier for your digestive system while you sleep - also about part way through sleeping your body sends out a bunch of energy in order to clean your liver of toxins - so they tend to say that the human energy cycle works so that - what night owls are thriving off of is that 2nd burst of energy that was supposed to be meant for their liver - well you can retrain your body to have that 2nd burst of energy during the day - if you make sure you are going to sleep at the same time every day -

in addition to that - they recommend that breakfast and lunch are the largest meals of your day - they also recommend specific foods for different body types - i have had trouble with insomnia and sickness before - even though i am vegetarian and very health conscious - when i found out that ayurveda says i am vata (there is vata, pitta and kapha body types) i thought i'm gonna try this - so i am just eating vata pacifying foods - it's helping my body a lot because like i said i have had trouble getting sick as well.

anyway it might sound like a lot of focus on diet and sleep patterns - but ayurveda is very focused on longevity of life - and the habits they tell you to do really help your body to establish a rhythm and routine - and for the mean time while you need this job for a source of income - you could try some of these techniques to help your body adapt to the rhythm

either way good luck! and i agree i would keep that job because you need the income and try sending your resume out while you are at that job