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I resigned from a stable job (sales) that I had for a decade because it felt like I needed a change in environment. I became uncomfortably comfortable. I was planning to take a rest for like 3 months before I work again but a job was offered 2 weeks after I resigned. I felt like I couldn't let it pass because it is a permanent remote job and the pay and benefits are great. So I took it. I had breakdowns on my 1st week because of the night shift so I decided to live with my parents the following week and everything felt better because I had support and my body adjusted. Now I am in my 4th week and I came to realize that I felt stuck. Another reason why I left my 10-year day job was because I wanted more freedom and getaway from being a corporate slave. I wanted to go whereever I want and visit my parents anytime. But now, yes I am working remotely, I can work anywhere I want but I feel stuck. It's like I have no other choice but to continue to work. It's like I eat and sleep and look at my phone and then work overnight. I felt like my freedom to enjoy life was taken away from me in an instant. I don't feel happy anymore even though I have so much love and support around me. I am not sure if remote work is really for me or that maybe I am just a people person. I just don't know what to feel anymore. People would say that I should give it time and let myself adjust but how can I do that when I missed the person I was. I miss the person who was after a long day, would just slouch in the couch and watch Netflix, eat unhealthy dinner and sleep and then work the next day and repeat. Now, I actually have more time, but why does it feel like I have nothing more to do? Help.
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Sounds like the ol' identity crisis is at work here. I can only guess that maybe a large part of your identity was built around the stable sales job. Sometimes that structure, regardless of how dysfunctional it maybe, is what keeps many people from leaving crappy circumstances. I can say there's been a few times where I went back to less than ideal situations because it was comfortable. I mean the unknown is a bit scary, right?
Could it be that you were expecting that glorious 'this is it' moment ? That moment where you thought you had everything figured out and all things would be perfect once you made a few changes ?
We all think that if I do 'X' then maybe I will be happy only to discover that once we accomplish 'X' we are often left desiring much more. Such is the happiness paradox, sad to say.
All in all I think the people around you are correct in that you need to give yourself time to adjust. Leaving a 10yr stable job is a major adjustment.
With your newly found free time wouldn't it be a great idea to start picking up those projects you've always wanted to do ? Try your hand at cooking, try out that restaurant you've always had your eye on, schedule a trip. The options are really limitless.
You did mention you might be a people person. I think this would be a great time to start asking others those random existential questions you'd never bring up in everyday conversations. That may help you can gather an alternate perspective on things.
Take this time to truly reflect on things. Build up the habit of meditating and observing thoughts for what they really are - just thoughts. You'd be surprised how much chatter goes on in your mind by just sitting still for 10 minutes a day.
Lastly, take a little bit of time out of your day to practice gratitude. Sit back, look around, and really take in the details of your environment. Notice the gradient colors of the sunset. Notice those subtle smells of the outdoors. Life doesn't have to be a continual process of threading the needle upwards.
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