aficionadoSenior Contributor
Work pressure killing me, seeking advice
I'm a 32 year old single male, diagnosed with BPD, anxiety and depression at age 13 (I manage my condition with meds and therapy). I am an immigrant in Australia, with no family or friends here to seek advice. I hope the kind people on this forum can offer suggestions.
I am working at a highly toxic workplace for over 2 years now, and my metal health issues have worsened considerably. But it does pay my bills, and that's the reason I am sticking it out in spite of me being a near total wreck.
There are a few reasons stopping me from getting a new job:
- It is difficult to take time off on weekdays for interviews, since the management gives a really hard time to employees wanting leaves without more than a week's notice (interviewers never wait that long).
- Whenever I did manage to take time off, I messed up in the interviews due to the level of stress involved in actually getting time off, and the general work stress hampering my performance significantly.
- My workplace is located in the middle of nowhere, so I can't sneak away to an interview in the CBD (where most interviews take place) during my lunch break.
So it is practically not possible for me to seek new jobs before I quit my current one. But the difficulties I faced in the past (near homelessness, long periods of unemployment etc.) stop me from quitting.
Now I feel I am finally in a position to quit this job and wake up from my nightmare, since I have saved up enough money to live comfortably for 6 to 8 months with no income. Common sense suggests that I should be able to land another job during that time frame. But my confidence has taken a nosedive due to my current job, and I always have this fear of possibly never finding another job. My skills too aren't what they used to be.
Also, I will be going back to university for part-time post graduate studies next year. And my current job will certainly mess up my education. It appears like now is the best time to quit, and start my life and career over from a clean slate.
I have also nearly decided that I will be handing in my resignation tomorrow (I have a 4 week notice period, which I am fine with). But I am afraid of my fear and insecurities preventing me from doing that. And if I don't do it now, I am pretty sure I never will, and just continue slogging it out at this company until I lose my sanity, ruining my career along the way.
Is it really foolish to quit a job without another one lined up (as most people say), even in a situation where the current job is driving you nuts and preventing you from finding another job?
I have no support system at all. My so-called 'friends' just accuse me of being lazy, and using my mental illness as an excuse for my laziness. I have no one to turn to for advice.
