Ah, vacation! You’ve really been looking forward to getting away from work and cutting loose.
After all, the tasks that you have been assigned aren’t very interesting. And, the mission of the organization doesn’t resonate with you like it used to.
Have you considered that perhaps you may need more than a vacation—even a midlife career change?
Consider then these three ways to know if you need more than just a little time off.
1. You Can’t Wait for the Workday to End
Do you find yourself constantly checking the clock, waiting desperately for your workday to finally be over?
Of course, this happens to all of us from time to time. However, consistently counting down the hours or minutes from when you first get to work signals bigger problems.
It means that your work isn’t keeping you mentally engaged in the present.
The work you do shouldn’t consume your entire life. Yet, at the same time, it should be something that you can “sink your teeth into,” per se.
In short, if you are bored at work, a temporary vacation likely won’t solve the problem.
2. Returning to Work After Vacation Fills You with Dread
Let’s say that you go away on a trip for two weeks. The first week is very relaxing. You are enjoying yourself as you settle into your trip.
However, during the second week of your trip, you start to feel worried and anxious. It feels strange. After all, shouldn’t you be having fun?
If you’re like most people, you may not even realize the truth until you get back home—that you dread going back to work.
Consider the following thoughts as to why this “dread” happens:
• What you do is dull to you and not very engaging.
• Your co-workers don’t carry their weight, leaving you exhausted.
• Your supervisor has their own “quirks,” or frankly, isn’t good at their job.
• The company culture isn’t supportive.
These are just a few of the reasons why returning to work fills you with dread. Remember, vacations ought to refresh you, leaving you ready to return to work.
However, if going back causes you distress, you may need a midlife career change versus a temporary escape.
3. You’re Only Working for the Paycheck and Benefits
Granted, sometimes you need a job to pay the bills and put food on the table for your family. On the other hand, what if you’ve been doing the same job for several years, or even decades?
Are you doing this work because you enjoy it and find fulfillment with what you do? Or, have you fallen into the trap of many people—especially those in midlife—who stick with a job because of the pay and benefits?
It’s very hard spending the majority of your waking hours each week at a job that just isn’t you. Even all of the vacation time in the world (and some companies do offer generous packages) isn’t enough if you don’t find professional fulfillment in your daily life.
Understandably, it can be scary making a midlife career change when you’ve gotten comfortable with what you have now.
Why You Should Consider a Midlife Career Change
Yes, switching careers is intimidating and not always easy. Yet, the alternative is spending another 15 or 20 years in a career that you don’t find satisfying?
Even if you’re not sure which way to turn, it is possible to take a step in the right direction. Consider getting job and work support counseling from a therapist who understands these issues.
You don’t have to have all the answers with what you want to do. Rather, all you need is the desire to steps towards what you want to do. We can figure out the rest along the way!
Often, it’s hard to recognize the signs that it’s time for a midlife career change. But, if you’ve been noticing that going on vacation just isn’t helping you cope with your work, it’s time to change.
Please, contact me today for support. Or, visit here to learn more about how I can help.