Newbie - confused about life

[bibliophile]

Hi,

I'm new here and looking for advice. I left my job in childcare in August last year due to extreme stress and anxiety and being told that my performance at work just wasn't up to scratch. Now, I'm rethinking my entire career choice. I did get some work as a private nanny in December but I found it really hard to go there everyday and spent the whole day waiting till home time. Then after 3 weeks they unexpectedly told me they wouldn't be needing me anymore. Since then I have been working in retail in a customer service capacity and I really enjoy that but it was only on a temporary contract and it's about to run out. I am enrolled to do a teacher's aide course but I haven't been able to do any of the work because I haven't found a school to volunteer at yet and now I find my enthusiasm waning. I applied to an online course in the field of history and I'm really excited about the prospect of studying it but I'm afraid of what people will say when they find out I am doing yet another course which probably won't get me a job. The fact is, I don't know what I want to do for a career but I don't think I want to work with kids anymore I just can't stand the stress and anxiety. I really want to do this study as it's the first thing I've been excited about in a long time but I know the odds of me getting employment out of it are very slim. Can anybody give me advice please?

[demonblaster]

Hi & welcome bib

Personally I think you should do what you enjoy & if history is making you happy go for it, we dont know whats ahead you may get work out of it & on the way you're enjoying what you're into

I'd say don't worry bout what people think but I'm not there yet so can't really talk but its not their career & life its yours. Your choices aren't hurting anyone aye so pffttt to opinions 😊 . Wise to steer away if something causes you stress

Good luck hope to hear how you go

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi bibliophile,

Welcome to the forums!

Thank you for being here and sharing what's going on for you. I'm sorry that you're struggling with this. It sounds like it must be a bit overwhelming not knowing which way to go.

I hear that you have lots of experience in childcare and with being a nanny but decided to change direction a little into retail and now possibly history or being a teachers aide. The key standout for me is that you seem to like interacting with people.

I'm just wondering too - if you could wake up tomorrow and all this stress and anxiety would be gone; what would you like to do?

Often we can hold ourselves back from what we want because we feel like things are just 'too much'. That's totally valid. But it also means that we can deprive ourselves of the things that we really love and that light us up.

Yes, employment is a big factor and worth thinking about. I'm wondering though if perhaps it could be the second thing that you consider. If for example your love is history - you can take the time to learn this and then adapt a bit to employment; like working at a museum or in archiving, or volunteering for a bit to get your foot in the door.

I hope this is helpful