wondering about career change

[Attentiondefdiff]

I’ve been diagnosed for over 3 years and I see a lot of ways my career is not a very good fit me after years of thinking I did not fit in. I am considering a change that would be less money but a better fit. I can also see how less stress would actually save some money and my health. I am salaried for 5 days a week but usually do a lot on weekends when I can focus better. I want to enjoy life. If you have made a change like this what are the pros and cons you’ve faced?

[STEM_Dad]

What sorts of change are you thinking about doing? Do you plan to stay within the same career field, or take this as an opportunity to change to a new one that interests you?

I've been working in Information Technology for about 12 years now, and most of that time I've enjoyed my work. (The first 6 years were great, but I didn't get paid very well. Then a few years of struggles. But I feel like my career is moving forward again.)

I know that I need to do some sort of gig work, to help with my finances. I also want to start blogging, but while I plan to monetize the blog, I'm not pinning my hopes and dreams on it becoming a financial success. (But hey, anything can happen.)

[STEM_Dad in reply to STEM_Dad]

If I wanted to make a complete career change, I'd like to become an ADHD coach. But right now I can't afford any coaching certification programs. (They are about as expensive as full time college tuition for a year.)* On the note about college, that's another thing that I want to do...go back to school and finish a bachelor's degree. (I've identified a self-paced online college that I think I'd do well with. But, I have to figure out how I would pay for it.)

[Attentiondefdiff in reply to STEM_Dad]

That sounds like the beginning of my wondering and then fact finding. I’ve explored several options with the feed back of a few trusted advisors. My therapist has been my source of clarity.

[Attentiondefdiff in reply to STEM_Dad]

I am going to stay in the same field in a way but be a part of the support network for those struggling with the same issues I am have by providing information and navigating some of the obstacles. A blog in working on information technology is a good idea Technology has come a very long way and varies so much in how it is useful. I’ve never had big problems with what my soon to be former career used but I realize I missed out on some of the advances and need to learn a lot! That’s actually part of the training I budgeted in. Thank you for your input!

[StanleyThyroid]

I was pondering a longer reply but all I would say is that as you get older your health and happiness are the most important things. If you can afford I would definitely go for it. Big changes require a sharp intake of breath but I can't think of any risk like that I have regretted.

[Attentiondefdiff in reply to StanleyThyroid]

Thank you! I’m taking sharp intakes and going for it!

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Attentiondefdiff]

well done, please keep us posted👏. I would add that in work I could last for a year max without getting bored. Fortunately working for a large corporate it was not difficult to swap jobs.

[Netjester]

I'm here to stop you from making a mistake and changing careers. I can tell you for sure that things will get better. You just need to find the right blend of medication and then you will thrive. I was going to do the same thing and my psychiatrist stopped me and said, "Let's get the medication correct before we make this call." He was 100% right. Once you take the common ADHD meds, then you need to work on treating the outlying symptoms that come with ADHD. What are you doing for impulse control? The fact that you are still spending time working on the weekends tells me that you have impulse issues and easily jump from task to task without completing it. Ask your doctor about Naltrexone as an additional medication. It worked wonders for me.

Also, how often do you get into intense discussions or arguments? Namenda works great for this and pretty much stopped me from jumping into discussions that I never really wanted to be a part of in the first place. We all know that jumping into discussions at work usually mean that you come out of those discussions with action items.

Anyway, I would take a closer look at symptoms of ADHD that you don't like and work with your doctor to tackle those independently of your ADHD. It will seem like a miracle has happened when you see the results.

[Attentiondefdiff in reply to Netjester]

I am several steps ahead of you. I’ve done most of what you said. And I am working with a therapist through all of this the past 2 years. This post was part of not being impulsive. Thank you so much for your answer as it did help to validate that I have done what I can and I’m not acting impulsively making the change I need to ensure my health and well being.