Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Question

i've had the last week off! i'm a social worker at the present time but hope to change my job soon. I'm in a sort of rut with my whole job situation at the moment, want to move into a different line of work - but havn't found anything yet. When I am at work I tend to enjoy it and dont have any worries about it, at all. But right now... I feel so bloody drained. I have not been to work this last week, just over a week - I was meant to be going back tommorow but I called in sick. i'm usualy a very laid back, happyish person who gets on with life but this last two months i've been struck down with the flu TWICE and generaly feel very fed up with life. I previously loved going to work, out, family, friends etc - at the moment I just want to hide away and get by alone. I don't feel depressed - just too tired to carry on. The song 'Chasing Pavements' comes to mind right now.. "Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements." I need to shake myself out of this..... But I can't.

Answer 1

You sound completely burned out. The flu can leave you so drained that depression is a very real possibility.

I work in the special education field and found myself in pretty much the same situation as you a few years back.

I ended up sitting in a restaurant crying my eyes out because I didn't want to go back! Deeply humiliating!!

It just all felt like one too many mountains to climb.

I gave myself mega doses of vitamin b complex and only allowed myself to think about what I had achieved in the past year and forced all the failures away.

Now it has become a habit with me and although the depression lurks deep down waiting to catch me out I know that what I am doing makes differences in ways I am not always aware of and that I would not really be at peace if I turned my back on it.

Give yourself time to heal from the flu, allow that it is OK to get depressed sometimes but that you are strong enough to fight it. Above all force yourself to think about successes not failures. Picture all those who have reason to breathe easy because of your work. Heroes are something we have great need of these days. Believe in yourself. You have been one and you can continue to be one. Warm regards.

Answer 2

I agree with others answers. You sound like you are in need of rest, relaxation, reflection, perhaps more. The community service field, (as another has stated) can be very draining, equally rewarding, but very draining. They should give out much more "Mental Health" days for this field of work as it can really burn you out especially when you are battling flu or other prolonged illness.

Health above all else first is not a bad philosophy.

Answer 3

sounds like you need a good longer vacation away from your surroundings (work and etc; that may also include away from your current acquaintances and family if you see them in a daily basis).
try to do something to "reward" yourself everyday, and a time to stay quiet for about 30 minutes or so and enjoy a natural environment.
Make sure you're getting proper sleep and nutrition (I don't mean fitness diet, but have you been eating well or lacking to eat true meals and just relying on fast snacks?). Also try and avoid prolonging any conflict you may encounter, especially outside your work.
Take walks and a time to think and be by yourself when you find that you're about to cry/get mad/get overwhelmed.
Find someone to vent things with, or consult a therapist.

Answer 4

You say your not depressed but you are showing some signs of depression. You may need to see your doc and ask for some time of. I,m sure it will all work out for you in the end. Good luck in your new career if that's what you decide to do

Answer 5

I'd suggest going to see your GP ASAP. I felt that way and blood tests showed low iron......hope you're feeling better soon.