Which way is up?

[Warren2103]

I’m a 49-year-old gay guy who feels like he’s hit a dead end in life. I work in corporate risk management, and honestly, it’s completely unfulfilling. I’ve spent almost 20 years in the corporate world and I’ve never really enjoyed it.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become increasingly disengaged, not just from work, but from a lot of things in life. I’ve let my health slide, I’m overweight (not huge, but definitely heavier than I should be), and I’m constantly tired. I feel frustrated because I have no idea how to get out of this cycle. I want to leave the corporate world, but I have absolutely no idea what I’d be good at or where to even begin. I don’t even have anything I could really call a passion either. 

I was diagnosed with mild depression and anxiety before COVID, and lately I’ve wondered if I might also have some form of ADHD. I’ve always struggled to learn new things quickly, stay focused, and stay organised. Those issues have made my work life very challenging at times, and work has always been a major trigger for my anxiety, especially when I feel like I’m drowning.

Right now, I don’t know where to start, who to talk to, or how to figure out my next move. What I do know is that I don’t want to be in the same place in another 20 years. If anyone has gone through this and come out the other end, I’d love to know your story

or get some advice. Thank you. 

[Hayden]

Hi Warren. You say Corporate Management and my anxieties flare LOL You’re not not alone, many people experience an existentixal crisis. You want out, but don’t know where to go. There are some really great options out there. Mainly it’s to focus on bringing it back to you. Sure you can change your environment, but your still you at the heart of it. Just like Total Recall. Counselor is good, or a psychologist doing CBT, I am doing some inner child and narrative therapy myself at the moment. You can join a support group, but be careful it’s adequate for your needs and not just a trauma dump session. There’s meditation or yoga, or simply walking is good. Obviously there is medical treatment to help boost/stable your mood, but I cannot praise it enough that self help pays off (99%). Regarding employment wise, your 20+ years in corporate would be valuable to many NFP organizations who would be thrilled by your policy and procedures that would boost them. Have a cup of tea, sit down and honestly look at a TAFE course guide. Go through and read what’s available and see if it peaks your interest. TAFE have career counselors that can help as well. Hope this helps a little.