Feeling very low indeed...

[Burger]

Sorry if this is long winded and depressing, but it’s how I currently feel. Been doing a lot a schoolboy errors recently, and currently have no love for the job I’m doing or even much pride. I think the final straw was last week after spending 4 hours on a job for me to rip it out again (that’s another story), since then, can’t seem to get going, just huffing and puffing a lot. Even looking at different jobs or even different career paths, but money on those is very low in comparison. Maybe it’s just who I work for currently (allegedly time served at council/housing association) been them nearly 15 years, and when I look at what people know on here it really gets my goat, because I feel I don’t even know some basics.

Not looking for sympathy, just looking for ideas etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Millsy 82]

Every few years I seem to go through a bad patch with my breakdowns. Went through one about a month ago 3/4 boilers i struggled to repair i start doubting myself and start thinking I'm no good at the job and put myself down.

It lasted the best part of a month maybe 6 weeks and on the 4 jobs it cost me around 16 hours of unpaid time as the money I learnt on the 1st breakdown got spent on additional parts. I had to really have a talk to myself and go back to basics and then confidence starts coming back.

It is very difficult when you are in a slump and when I used to work for a company that would be the time I would start looking to move.

Sometimes changing company is great new people to learn things from new ways of doing things and also makes you concentrate as you dont want to mess up in the first few months.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

We all have them thoughts / feelings monthly / quarterly

Your never on your own

 

[Aire]

I had the same feelings about 9 years ago. I just didn't want to get up and go to work anymore, so I quit my job and joined another company. Been happy with them ever since. Had a wobble with them over the last year but I've spoke to my boss about it and we've sorted it out and things are positive again.

So your options are speak to your boss regarding concerns. Maybe some training/refresher courses but if things are that bad, a new company or self employment may be the best way to go.

If you've got any annual leave to take it recommend taking it soon and consider your options.

I don't think you can ever be 100% happy in your work. The good just has to outweigh the bad.

 

[Welder]

Sorry if this is long winded and depressing, but it’s how I currently feel. Been doing a lot a schoolboy errors recently, and currently have no love for the job I’m doing or even much pride. I think the final straw was last week after spending 4 hours on a job for me to rip it out again (that’s another story), since then, can’t seem to get going, just huffing and puffing a lot. Even looking at different jobs or even different career paths, but money on those is very low in comparison. Maybe it’s just who I work for currently (allegedly time served at council/housing association) been them nearly 15 years, and when I look at what people know on here it really gets my goat, because I feel I don’t even know some basics.

Not looking for sympathy, just looking for ideas etc.

Thanks in advance.

Firstly, sorry to hear you're feeling like that. Secondly, please don't worry about doing so. There are probably few people in the world who don't feel like that at some point - so you are far from alone!

On a personal level, I can relate to the feeling of a lack of confidence. However, what old age has taught me is that these things always have triggers of one kind or another. Further, it's not always something at work that kicks it off.

As, without doubt, the emotionally weaker gender in our species, I feel you've done bl00dy well to reach out. Most blokes just internalise things and they end up getting worse. At my age, I've been through most things life can throw at you. However, when the same thing happens for the 3rd time, you suddenly realise that it's YOU that's the common denominator so you have to carefully examine who's staring back at you from that mirror...

Without being rude, how old are you?

Can I ask a personal question? What do you feel the root cause of your feelings is? In my experience, 99% of us actually know what's wrong but we, for whatever reason, fail to to be able to say it out loud or 'face it'.

Happy to carry this on as a private conversation if you'd rather.

David

 

[Last Plumber]

What type of work do you do?
What's your favourite job?

 

[Last Plumber]

From time to time we all feel like if crying would help, we'd do it!

 

[Welder]

From time to time we all feel like if crying would help, we'd do it!

Over the last 9 months, what with Mum then Dad dying then the Rubbish with TapMedic, I've frigging bawled with frustration, anger and 'just because' believe me 😱🙄🙂

 

[rpm]

Not looking for sympathy, just looking for ideas etc.

Thanks in advance.

Hey, I`ve been there, done it and have the T-shirts somewhere. In my case it was boredom and totally lack of concentration after being overlooked for promotion yet again (believe me being told we can`t afford to lose you off the tools doesn`t help), another was simply being burnt out and lack of sleep and another time was to do with a lady.

Take any holiday owing, try and forget about work, relax and come back ready to punch through that wall.

 

[Last Plumber]

It's good to know you're not alone isn't it?

If we didn't have the occasional melt down, we would not be human.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Chin up mate. We all have bad times. Sometimes you just get unlucky. Don’t ever question what you know, as you are right almost all of the time. It’s easy to second guess when doubt starts to set in. You’ll get through it.

 

[Best]

Definitely take a holiday - or just a short break. Try to go somewhere not too local.
If you do not have hobbies or sports interests, then it is more important you have something to escape from life’s numerous troubles.
Sometimes we need to back off from our routine and look at things differently.

 

[Burger]

I had the same feelings about 9 years ago. I just didn't want to get up and go to work anymore, so I quit my job and joined another company. Been happy with them ever since. Had a wobble with them over the last year but I've spoke to my boss about it and we've sorted it out and things are positive again.

So your options are speak to your boss regarding concerns. Maybe some training/refresher courses but if things are that bad, a new company or self employment may be the best way to go.

If you've got any annual leave to take it recommend taking it soon and consider your options.

I don't think you can ever be 100% happy in your work. The good just has to outweigh the bad.

Thanks Craig, not sure SE would be the way to go, as I don’t know enough yet. I used to be very eager, especially when I was an apprentice, I came out with my acs, unvented, water regs, it was great. However didn’t use my unvented once, didn’t touch gas until about 2-3 years after, and quoting water regs is just seen to be a pita. My current boss has his own stuff after just being promoted to the role, might talk to HR.

 

[Burger]

@YorkshireDave

Without being rude, how old are you?
37.

Can I ask a personal question? What do you feel the root cause of your feelings is? Lack of understanding about certain areas of my job, being promised certain things but not being delivered, such as training.

 

[Burger]

What type of work do you do?
What's your favourite job?

Supposed to be mainly boiler/heating breakdowns but because of the weather, been doing some fitting work and even plumbing. I don’t think I have a favourite, although, oddly I do feel satisfied when I’ve unblocked a tough drain - how sad is that 😕

 

[Burger]

Take any holiday owing, try and forget about work, relax and come back ready to punch through that wall.

I’m already going on holiday in August to North Wales, the wife (and kids) don’t like travelling too far. Trouble is it doesn’t feel like much of a holiday because it’s self catering in a caravan. I don’t drink, and mostly prepare all of the breakfast, lunch and teas, and do any laundry while the wife looks after the kids.

 

[Aire]

I don’t drink

Perhaps it's time to start 😉

 

[Welder]

@YorkshireDave

Without being rude, how old are you?
37.

Can I ask a personal question? What do you feel the root cause of your feelings is? Lack of understanding about certain areas of my job, being promised certain things but not being delivered, such as training.

Ok. At 37 I completely get that you need to be, well, heading somewhere. In my experience however that is unlikely to happen in bigger companies these days. The focus of those above you is to protect themselves and their ar5es. They, generally, are only interested in you doing as you are told not growing, not enjoying your job. They don't, why should you?

Personally, I don't feel it's a holiday you need, more a sense of being valued. I sure get that. That was why I chose to work for older people - I found I fed from their genuine appreciation.

IF... that is indeed the case, then my advice to you would be to move jobs. It sounds to me like a company with 5-10 guys/girls with a business owner who still cares is what you seek. There are quite a few around, so I feel like you should seek them out and go and have a beer with the boss. Whilst they may not have a vacancy at present, you are checking them out and narrowing down potential choices. Remember in any form of exchange like that you are assessing and choosing just as much as they. Eventually you WILL find what you seek and it will be an easy move with far fewer nasty surprises...😉

 

[rpm]

Some of what you say could be stress from being fed up. Go get blood pressure tested.

 

[townfanjon]

CBW , sorry I dont know your name pal .
What cracking input above from all your internet chums , great lads on here .
I cant really add much to whats been said ,
however I was out with a pal last Friday, he had played golf ( retired banker Pffttttt ) and played Rubbish went into the changing rooms moaning like hell because he had played Rubbish , just about threw his clubs down , when an old guy said to him , calm down my friend, loads of people would love to be able to just walk round a golf course.
Brings it home !!

 

[Burger]

What type of work do you do?
What's your favourite job?

I do like wiring and solving a fault

 

[Welder]

I do like wiring and solving a fault

Working for a smaller co delivers more variation, more opportunities to learn and a greater sense of achievement.

 

[Millsy 82]

I’m already going on holiday in August to North Wales, the wife (and kids) don’t like travelling too far. Trouble is it doesn’t feel like much of a holiday because it’s self catering in a caravan. I don’t drink, and mostly prepare all of the breakfast, lunch and teas, and do any laundry while the wife looks after the kids.

I use my surfing to give me that bit of me time. I honestly think if I didnt have that I'd go go bonkers and would probably end up in prison and there is nothing better than just sitting out there I cant hear a thing but even if it's only for half an hour I am relaxed. I'm not even that good but it is a big help.

 

[Millsy 82]

Working for a smaller co delivers more variation, more opportunities to learn and a greater sense of achievement.

And usually less twits above you that try and justify there jobs and make your life hell.

 

[Welder]

And usually less twits above you that try and justify there jobs and make your life hell.

An very pertinent point Millsy. Fact is, in bigger organisations, people are far more likely to, and often do, end up in positions they are neither qualified for or capable of fulfilling.

 

[Millsy 82]

An very pertinent point Millsy. Fact is, in bigger organisations, people are far more likely to, and often do, end up in positions they are neither qualified for or capable of fulfilling.

I find a lot of people lack the people skills to be where they are.

Years ago I loved working for a company I got on great with the office staff and the 2 bosses were in control of the service/maintenance side although you never would of guessed as they just let us get on with it. During the winter if a job was desperate to be done they would ask me and I would do it never booking over time but the girls in the office always thanked me next morning. When it came to the summer if I was finished by 3 they would let me go home.
After 1.5 years or so one of the office staff asked for a pay rise as she was pretty much running our side and she was turned down so she left.
A girl came from another department as she didnt like working there because there was always an atmosphere, she started just before the end of winter so I was still working late but she never asked she told me to do this and that and everytime I went into the office once I had been there for 5 minutes she turned around and said haven't you got work to do? I always replied the same dont worry I always get all my work done. A couple of months went by and it was a beautiful week in may and she phoned me up at 4:30 and said you've got to do this its urgent when I said sorry no they can wait until the morning she went mental at me, the next morning i was called into the bosses and they said what's going on i replied during the winter i dont mind working late but during the summer i have things i want to do so want to finish early, when the boss said you have to work your contracted hours i said look back at the tracker to the winter and look at the amount of overtime i booked then tell me to work my contracted hours. The boss came back to me a couple of days later and thanked me and gave me a lovely lump sum to cover the additional hours I did.
A few months later they won a contract with Mears so they brought in another manager from a different company and this bloke had the people skills of a wasp got in your face and shouted you down at every opportunity, needless to say the company that I once loved had turned into a nightmare and I only lasted a few months after that.

I left them and went to there main competitors (where waspy came from) oh my life the girls in the office were horrific and as soon as a job came in they just put it on your pda didnt matter what time it was and how many jobs you had it went in and when I phoned up to say I couldn't do them I would get grief for it. My lead engineer was the kind of person that dropped the burner pressures on boilers to get the ratio down to acceptable levels but he saved the company a fortune as he just budged everything but his people skills were like a lion literally shouting down the phone at you threaten to sack you every 5 minutes if you didnt do the jobs or didnt turn the boilers back on. Needless to say I didnt last long there before I went self employed.

I would never ever work for a big company again if I had to I would work for a small company with a few plumbers working for them and a boss that used to be on the tools.

 

[Last Plumber]

oddly I do feel satisfied when I’ve unblocked a tough drain

I do like wiring and solving a fault

Looking at those (I'm no psychologist or career adviser), they are both worlds apart but similar in that they are short work, fairly challenging and people really appreciate the results. You also feel a lot of satisfaction from a positive conclusion to that type of work which will raise your self esteem. With the drain work, you are exercising your body, breathing deeper and the blood is pumping. That has a positive effect on the mind, read this link.

Have you thought at length about the work you enjoy?
Make a list of the things you get an equal amount of job satisfaction and remuneration from.

It can sometimes be that you are in the right trade but not doing the right work for you. Plumbing is a vast subject as you know! (people do not appreciate the amount of knowledge inside a Plumbers huge Brain).

If you can gear the work that pays equally in both the things I mentioned, you will tend to be happier at work. @YorkshireDave mentioned the 'type' of people he likes or prefers to work for. That has a massive effect on your happiness too. If people appreciate you, you 'aim' to please them and that in turn leads to satisfaction. All this goes around in circles. If we provide and people appreciate, we feel good about what we provided. This side of things is nothing to do with money. However, getting paid as well as the two way satisfaction is a major bonus.

Maybe you would be suited to self employment?
It is long hours, hard work, stressful etc. but in my opinion it pays in more than just money. The customers are yours and if you look after them, they will look after you. This gives a sense of loyalty, responsibility, job satisfaction and so on. It provides you with 'a way of life' rather than 'a job', or that's how I see it. It provides you with more freedom too. The loyalty and responsibility you feel toward customers and the business ensures that you keep working (if it suits your personality) but 'knowing' that the freedom to choose the work you take on and when you do it (to a certain extent) has some positive psychological benefit to my mind.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Last Plumber]

As an additional thought out of interest, read about Epicurus.

He was a Greek Philosopher who believed that a Human being needs three things in their life in order to feel happy (most adults I think mean 'content' when they say they are happy, I think).

Friendship
Freedom
An analyzed life (Philosophical or rational thought about yourself).

Out of further interest, Some TV ads contain at least two of the above with the sneaky idea that you'll think that buying their product will make you happy! All part of the Psychology of advertising.
I know this is off topic a bit as it is not work related (my apologies) but the link to feeling happy brought it to mind so I thought I'd mention it.

Think Bacardi advert. Girl on boat, lots of friends, freedom to be there and the 'I'm thinking how good my life is' look!

Epicurus is worth a read and a think for anyone who feels fed up.
That's my thought on it.

 

[hammers4spanner]

I read somewhere few months back that plumb and gas is the most stressfull trade in the UK.
Unreasonable demands from public and management causes most of it.

I recently went back on the books just to remind myself how utterly awfull having a boss is . We all go through the cycle of fed up with your job and mistakes even millionaire footballers moan about their cushy little bubble,its just life you come through other side.

 

[Burger]

So I took a test from a link from @Last Plumber, according to that I may have depression and anxiety 😕😕😱😱

 

[Harvest Fields]

So I took a test from a link from @Last Plumber, according to that I may have depression and anxiety 😕😕😱😱

Only one way to find out. Go and see someone.

 

[Last Plumber]

So I took a test from a link from @Last Plumber, according to that I may have depression and anxiety 😕😕😱😱

'May' being the operative word.

It is of course possible that you are extremely fed up with work?

The link I sent was really intended to show that physical work can improve your mental well-being. There are other links in that page for you to follow if you wish to. You should keep in mind that if you take those tests whilst feeling down, then the results may not be 100% accurate.

Depression or anxiety is something which needs a professional diagnosis face to face.

If you think the test you have taken and the results are a good indication of how you feel then I would advise you to go and talk to your GP.

 

[Deleted member 32524]

Hard times will pass. I doubt myself all the time. Hate making mistakes and when I do I am my own worst critic. When I start to think, I am good at this job something kicks me in the face and I feel useless again in life too. It is a constant human battle of confidence. Life punches you continuously and sometimes it knocks you down. Find the strength to get back up and never give up.

 

[Welder]

CBW. What are your thoughts now having seen how people are trying to support you? What do you feel now? How do you feel now?

 

[Millsy 82]

The link I sent was really intended to show that physical work can improve your mental well-being.

I was surprised at how much I changed mentally when I first took up kayaking, before that all I used to do was work then get home and drink stupid amounts, it was also shortly after starting that I decided to seek help about my money problems which then helped even more.

I'm a big believer in that exercise helps a lot in your mental state and it is very surprising how quickly it takes effect.

 

[WaterTight]

Over the last 9 months, what with Mum then Dad dying then the **** with TapMedic, I've frigging bawled with frustration, anger and 'just because' believe me 😱🙄🙂

Jesus mate. And there's me getting my sniffles on today because my cat lost his eye in a fight. I don't know I'm born.
Mind you I already lost my dad. But two parents in 9 months sounds brutal. You have my sympathies.

 

[Burger]

CBW. What are your thoughts now having seen how people are trying to support you? What do you feel now? How do you feel now?

I am feeling a bit better now, I think also expressing myself on here (a bit like talking I suppose) has helped. I had completely forgotten I’ve booked a week off work (started today) to do stuff at home, so maybe that’s why I’m feeling better. Also my last job of the day yesterday was to replace a piece of fire damaged soil pipe and boiler condensate pipe (same property), so was out in the sun and cutting pipe (a smidge of cardiovascular) which may have helped.

Can I just say to all the replies a MASSIVE THANKS, and for others to have drawn on their own experiences, especially big shout out to @YorkshireDave, with how tapmedic ended up, let alone anything else has shown very good support.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

All the best @CBW1982 just keep going even if you feel you're going backwards, give yourself small rewards e.g. a coffee, a cookie whatever you like after a small success.
Ask for professional help if you're having bad thoughts, don't beat yourself up.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

All the best @CBW1982 just keep going even if you feel you're going backwards, give yourself small rewards e.g. a coffee, a cookie whatever you like after a small success.
Ask for professional help if you're having bad thoughts, don't beat yourself up.

mmmm cookie

 

[townfanjon]

CBW aka lengths of copper tube .

This may help , I try do it when I am down .
Turn on the tv , Internet etc and look at somebody a LOT less fortunate than yourself i.e. living in Syria and loosing everything, troops returning home minus limbs , people on the streets , kids with cancer , Bradford city supporters etc etc etc you see where I am going .
My missis and I are having a bloody nightmare at the minute , we cant sell our house down to a ancient path running through the garden (which we have to wait for the council to sort )but we have already bought another house , finances are getting well stretched , our lifes are on hold and we are both pretty stressed , I was up at the new house today and came home in a fowl mood , 10 mins of being home and I saw 4 guys playing tennis at Wimbledon in wheel chairs !!!! God I felt a right tw@t , hello , it brings me back to earth , it might help you .
Good luck mate

 

[Burger]

CBW aka lengths of copper tube .

This may help , I try do it when I am down .
Turn on the tv , Internet etc and look at somebody a LOT less fortunate than yourself i.e. living in Syria and loosing everything, troops returning home minus limbs , people on the streets , kids with cancer , Bradford city supporters etc etc etc you see where I am going .
My missis and I are having a bloody nightmare at the minute , we cant sell our house down to a ancient path running through the garden (which we have to wait for the council to sort )but we have already bought another house , finances are getting well stretched , our lifes are on hold and we are both pretty stressed , I was up at the new house today and came home in a fowl mood , 10 mins of being home and I saw 4 guys playing tennis at Wimbledon in wheel chairs !!!! God I felt a right tw@t , hello , it brings me back to earth , it might help you .
Good luck mate

Thanks for that TFJ. Yes stuff like that can bring it home, however I think sometimes you don’t realise other peoples less fortunes when you’re in a state of depression? I have been ok the last few days, so hopefully can snap out of it. Thanks again.
Chris.

 

[townfanjon]

I think sometimes you don’t realise other peoples less fortunes when you’re in a state of depression? .

Yes pal agree 100 % , but its pretty amazing how normal you feel after seeing somebody really struggling. DIY SOS big build programs bring it home lol

 

[Deleted member 96286]

I've been doing this for nearly 40 years and the cycle you are describing is normal mate. We go through phases where everything goes well, nothing can touch us, and then bang we get taken back down to earth with a problem and our comfort zone is destroyed. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself down and remember you're in the job because you are good enough to be there. All the best.