Need to just shake things up a bit

[The Disapproving Brit]

As things stand now, I can stand back and say I don't have a bad life. I earn enough to get by and still have a bit of a social life, a job in the industry I wanted to work in, and a place of my own.

(this next bit is just background...skip it if you want)

But I feel like I'm stuck in a rut. Over the 4 years I've been in this job, it has evolved from a small company with 4 of us in the team to a place with 40 or so staff in the department doing 4 different roles supporting about 600 people.

About 2 years ago, the job was split from just "IT" to various IT departments. I was moved into a non-technical management role. Which frankly, sucked. I was bored out of my tree, and as a result, got lazy and crap at the job. The result being that I was demoted into basically an entry level position. The byproduct of that is that the technical teams I actually want to work in have lost a lot of confidence in my abilities, and have basically said I need to prove myself for a year or two before they'll even consider me.

So basically, I have zero promotion prospects for at least the next year or two, but am also the highest paid in the area where I do work, since I only lost my shift allowance rather than taking a pay cut when I got demoted.

So to my dilemma. Changing jobs within the IT industry would probably mean entry level again, since I've been in this role for a year now - the time to go for the technical jobs was immediately after being demoted when I could still blag my old job title. Entry level would come with a pay cut, but with the rest of my thinking, that doesn't matter. I could happily leave IT and work minimum wage if circumstances changed so I could afford it.

(if you skipped the last bit, you should pick up again here)

Frankly, I'm bored of life in general round here. I'm seriously considering just selling everything (which basically amounts to about a grands worth of furniture), fucking off to a different city, and starting fresh. Cheap flat, whatever job I can get (I've had it with IT work), and just wing it. Stoke has gotten fucking shit lately, and there's really nothing to keep me here anymore. In fact, it's rather getting me down.

This is further complicated by the fact that my best friend has her contract terminating in a few months, and she's seriously thinking of getting a place in Blackpool and fucking off. I've been told I'm welcome to lodge, and minimum wage pub work (or even dole if needs be) would easily cover this.

What would you do? Give up a simple, but dull, life in exchange for a 'fuck it' moment and a fresh start with no plans; or stick with your depressing-yet-secure existence?
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Flip]

[The Disapproving Brit]

The economy is a concern. But DAMN...I just need to *do* something. Life has become repetitive and dull, and it sucks. The economy also means life is cheapish if I do decide to up and leave. Right now, I have no real ties or commitments, so struggling for a bit while I find a job wouldn't necessarily be too horrible. I also have my own business that I've been trying to get going for a while, but haven't really put a lot of effort into just yet.

That said, I'd want about £4-5K to tide me over if I did - enough to get by for a few months of no income.
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Clanger]

I would go. Personally.
But then I have no mortgage, no ties, nothing really keeping me where I am...I will be free to up and move whenever I get asked/feel the need.

New pastures, new horizons, new challenges are a good way of keeping yourself feeling alive.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[The Disapproving Brit]

[yuri2085]

Based on what I can know from your post I would say go and lodge with that girl.
You will probably have a good time living with a friend.
And even if it dosnt go great and you turn out more bored than before at least its a learning experience wisdom gained etc. What life is all about.

[BIKELESS STEVE]

Compared to Stoke blackpool ain't much better, more tourists/hen/stag do's, you have got the sea (whoop) and barwork gets very tedious very quickly (losing weekends and evenings etc). If you enjoyed your role before work your way back up and regain what you've lost. Moving for movings sake to a dirty seaside town (no offence to any Blackpoolians, just my opinion) ain't gonna make life much better.

[snomag]

I would change jobs in the first place. Especially after 4 years in IT I think you've reached your potential already and without being motivated - it's just going to get really boring and useless.
Either try to get involved in something new at the same place or just go somewhere else.

If you enjoy working in this area, just look for another job. For one that poses a bit of a challenge and requires you to pay attention - not just to show up in the office and drink coffee all day long.
(I for one find that on myself if I'm bored at work, that can really put me off and make me feel a bit down )

Moving places can make life more exciting, but can also bring you down even more due to not knowing anyone and not having people around you to do stuff with.
On the other hand it gives you the chance to meet new people and expand your social network. It only depends on you basically.

Oh and I wouldn't be afraid of regretting anything. These're not things that you couldn't change back. If you don't like it somewhere, you can always move on or back. (but I know I wouldn't want to work in a pub. Loads of work, not enough free time/money)

[gavcarter]

Just stick with it and build a bike! No seriously having a reason to go to work other than to pay the bills, like a hobby that you can spend a little money will make you feel a lot better about going to work..... its something to look forward to on payday and not just paying shitty bills...

[MaybeGuy]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=155586&highlight=

that is all...
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[kitty kat]

[snomag]

[The Disapproving Brit]

haha yeah, there's always an upside!

It's not necessarily blackpool I'm after, although I do enjoy a good spot of nightlife myself so wouldn't necessarily be averse - I'm sure it has quiet spots to live where you can get sleep if you look for them. It's more that I've lived my entire life in Stoke watching it slowly get shitter and shitter, and I'm thinking "there's gotta be more out there than this."

Anywhere would do to be frank, I'm just pissed off with my life in general and want to change as much of it as possible. The silver lining of being back at the bottom rung of the career ladder is that it's not a massive risk to step out of IT for a bit and see if I like it. If it all goes tits up, I have 10 years experience in the industry which should help me get back in if needs be.
____________________
Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Harold_Shand]

Who dares wins
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[LordShaftesbu...]

[Hazylogic]

[The Disapproving Brit]

[The Disapproving Brit]

[Scouse]

From someone who grew up in Stoke and left, just bloody do it!.

You will never look back

[Hazylogic]