10 Reasons to Escape The Cubicle
Jan
Call me crazy, but I don’t see how anyone can tolerate a sit-on-your-ass all day desk job. It blows my mind how people (my boss included) can literally sit in front of a computer and stare it for 8 straight hours.
If I’m at my desk for more than an hour, I start to go crazy. The people in my office probably think I’m selling crack on the street corner because I’m in and out so frequently.
There are so many things I can’t stand about office life, I honestly feel like I’m living in the movie “Office Space”.
I’ve seen the movie multiple times and it truly exemplifies my job and the jobs of millions of others as well. I’ve found several great quotes that really hit home and make me realize just how badly office life sucks.
I could probably give 100 reasons that I feel you should quit your job, but for now, I will just list my top 10.
10 Reasons You NEED to Escape the Cubicle
1. No Job Security
“They’re bringing in a consultant-that’s how I know. That’s what this staff meeting is all about!
That’s what happened at Initrode last year. You have an interview with a consultant and they bring in efficiency experts.
You’re interviewing for your own job”!
If you don’t know my stance on job security, you can read my post Why Job Security Is Complete Bullshit. Needless to say, I believe that there is NO job security when you work for someone else.
2. You Get No Respect
“I don’t care if they lay me off either, because I told Bill that if he moves my desk one more time, then I’m quitting.
I’m going to quit. I used to be by the window, where I could see the squirrels and they were merry”.
I’d like to think that most people have a fair amount of self esteem. As employees, we are at the mercy of our superiors and their decisions and rules. If we don’t like it, too bad. If they don’t like us, too bad.
How our bosses treat us affects everything about our jobs. From our expectations to our performance. If we are regarded highly, we will tend to meet that expectation. If we are thought of as peons, we will probably meet that as well.
When I worked for Wachovia Securities, our branch manager didn’t like me. Why? Because my “numbers” weren’t up to par. I was brand new to the business and trying to learn what I could (with no training). I had passed my Series 7 license exam and was trying to build a business ethically.
Did that matter? Nope. He treated me like a complete idiot and didn’t even try to hide it. What do you think that did to my confidence? The last thing a rookie salesman needs is to have his confidence taken away. I lasted two years there and never even came close to reaching my potential. Coincidence?
3. No Choice Who Your Coworkers Are
“Milton, uh..could you turn that down just a little bit”?
“They said I could listen to the radio at a reasonable volume from 9 to 11 while I’m collating”.
“I know you’re allowed to, I was just thinking like a personal favor, y’know”.
“I told Bill that if Sandra’s going to listen to her headphones while she’s working, I can listen to the radio while I’m collating”.
This can be very frustrating. It’s bad enough we are stuck in a prison cell size cube or office with little or no privacy, but when you throw in annoying coworkers that we can’t fire, our days seem 10 times longer.
When I worked for Wachovia Securities, I had a cubicle right next to a woman who drove me absolutely insane. The mere sound of her voice made me want to jam a dull screwdriver in my ear. The worst part was that her job was to make sales calls all day, so I HAD to listed to her for 8 hours each day.
4. No Control Over Your Schedule
“Hello Peter, what’s happening? Um, I’m gonna need to to go ahead and come in tomorrow. So if you could be here around nine, that would be great.
Oh yea, I forgot. I’m gonna also need you to come in Sunday too”.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to set your own hours, work when you feel like you will be the most productive, and have complete control over your schedule? Well, you will when you decide to work for yourself.
Being told when to arrive, when to eat lunch, and when to leave sucks. There have so many times when one of my daughters has needed me and I had to leave for work.
My only thought when that happens is “why should I have to go sit in a meaningless job right now when my child is (sick, injured, etc.) and needs me’? It really kills me that I have no choice but to leave her and go do something I hate. It REALLY kills me!
5. Your Life Is Wasting Away
“So I’m sitting in my cubicle today and I realized that ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it.
So it means that every single day you see me, that’s on the worst day of my life”.
This is THE reason I am so passionate about writing this blog. Since starting this blog in October, I have heard from a number of people who feel just like I do.
Our lives are literally being sucked into a black hole and we will NEVER get that time back. Every second we spend doing something we hate is a complete waste of precious life.
How many of us just stare at our computers wishing for a different life? I do every single day.We have to make it happen for ourselves or we will spend our entire lives working our jobs. If we don’t make great changes for ourselves, nobody will.
6. You Are Way Too Stressed
“Well….what would you say..you do here”?
“Look, I already told you. I deal with the goddamn customers so the engineers don’t have to!
I have people skills! I am good at dealing with the people!! Can’t you understand that?!?
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE”?!!!
Job related stress is normal and part of most jobs. However, when it becomes so overwhelming that you are constantly on edge and snap at every little thing, it’s time to take a break.
A break can mean a vacation, a day off, a walk around your office building, or best of all, QUITTING YOUR SHITTY JOB!!!
Of course, quitting isn’t an option for most of us right now, but if you are stressed out to the max, you NEED to find an outlet or you WILL blow!
7. You’re Bored Out Of Your Mind
“You see, they wrote all this bank software and to save space, they put 98 instead of 1998.
So I go through these thousands of lines of code and uh, it doesn’t really matter.
I, uh, I don’t like my job. I don’t think I’m gonna go anymore”.
Is work supposed to be exciting? Ask almost anyone and they will say no. I say why not? Why can’t we be excited about our work? It’s simple, we CAN! We just need to find what it is we love to do and then do it.
Working a job you are bored with isn’t a good situation for anyone. Your employer loses because you aren’t really interested in your job and productivity is probably suffering. You lose as well because your days drag on and you’re miserable.
8. Your Productivity Is Awful
“I just stare at my desk but it looks like I’m working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too.
I’d probably say, in a given week, I do about fifteen minutes of real, actual work”.
First off, nobody works all day. Even the most diligent and dedicated employees take time away from their duties. However, when you hate your job, it’s natural to try to do anything and everything to avoid actually working on work.
When productivity is poor and it continues for a significant period of time, you probably will get fired. If you don’t, you probably should be.
9. Your Boss Is A Worthless Asshole
“Hello Peter, what’s happening? Uh..we have sort of a problem here. Yeah. You apparently didn’t put one of the new cover sheets on your TPS reports”.
“Oh yeah. I’m sorry about that, I forgot”.
“MMM, yea. You see, we’re putting cover sheets on all TPS reports now before they go out. Did you see the memo about this”?
There are few things more aggravating than a bad boss. There are many types of bad bosses out there and a few of the worst are the lazy ones, the micro-managers, the condescending ones, and the ones who hold a grudge. You have a few choices when dealing with a boss who really shouldn’t be a boss, so decide which it will be and stick to it!
You can choose to play nice and turn a blind eye to their behavior, talk with them about why you aren’t happy, or you can be like me and let all the anger, frustration, and contempt build up to a point where talking to them, looking at them, or being within earshot of them, pisses you off so much that you would rather be ANYWHERE else on the planet than there.
10. You’re At Your Breaking Point
“OK, I, I, I’m going to set the building on fire. I told him, if I don’t get my stapler, I’m going to have to get my stapler back because it’s my stapler”.
When your stress at work is unbearable and you know some thing’s going to give, you need to walk away. It’s rare of course for an employee to lose their minds and shoot their workplace up, but it does happen.
While I have never thought of doing anything that extreme, I have been very, very close to flipping out on my boss, telling him to fuck off, and getting the fuck out.
When this happens, it an automatic day off for me. I don’t care how much work I have to do, I call in sick the next day. If I don’t I fear I WILL quit and I’m not financially ready for that just yet.
Getting Out
If any or all of this resonates with you, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you are in the same situation as I am. It sucks something fierce to be stuck in our jobs, so all I can say is that I really hope you are taking action on getting out as soon as you can.
Please don’t let fear, indecision, lack of confidence, or lack of direction stop you from finding a way out of the grind. There are success stories happening every day and all around us, so let’s be next!!
Shereen
oh wow. I just came across your blog and share your woes! I too feel I am wasting away my days, weeks, months and years working to fulfill someone else’ goals that have nothing whatsoever to do with what I want out of life. Let’s not forget the level of disrespect, insecurity, fear-mongering and pettiness that exists in today’s workplaces. I’m also crafting an escape strategy – feels great to know we’re not alone in this! Here’s to making a real break for it and finding freedom and living with passion and purpose in 2011!
Steve
Hey Shereen,
I love that you’re planning an escape as well!
It seems as though you are in a similar boat, and it SUCKS!
I would love to include you in my (future) success stories page when you break out of your grind!!! Keep in touch.
Jonathan
Same situation here. I am a senior software engineer working for a large public company. I hate cubicles to death and dont like to see a bunch of autistic coworkers who are socially inept on a daily basis. But the problem is I live on pay checks. LOL. So, how do I escape and at same time be able to pay the mortgage and bring food on the table?
Steve
Hey Jonathan,
We ALL live on paychecks and if you don’t do something about it, it will always be the same. I’ve found the best way to remove yourself from your cube is to start building a business on the side, whether online or offline. I personally think online makes sense and you can do it at home after your kids are in bed. If you have a passion for something and there is a market for it, you can turn it into a legit business.
Tninkforyourself
There were many units where I worked. In my unit there were eight of us , we were in one big open space. One guy when stressed out would throw a big baseball size , super ball against the wall ( on the other side of the wall was the bosses office) and catch it, this was a weekly thing. Finally he got promoted got his own office.
Then there was talkaholic lady when she would show up, the seven of
would run over each other at top speed trying to get out the door and out into the field, anything to avoid listening to long, drawn, out unbearable torturous talkaholic . One day we all collided with our boss and he goes,” what are guys trying to get away from a… tsunami.” It was official Friday was going to be casual dress day! Friday came and few people showed up with short Daisy Duke shorts cut offs, flip flop,& T-shirt and baseball caps many looked like they did not bathe! I almost died laughing when I first saw this ! Quickly the management came up with what” CASUAL WEAR MEANS” memo. There was a time when you could bring your dog to work, but too many people had allergies! They need a song just for our building “Let Me Take You To Crazy Town…Let Me Take You To Crazy Town…” So, glad I left that insane, crazy and petty place.
Steve
Yea, sounds a lot like the typical corporate cubicle culture. I don’t miss it that’s for sure. I used to work in a small office with a woman who never would shut the fuck up and it drove me nuts. In the end, I ended up just keeping to myself in order to avoid having to listen to her drone on for hours..
Katie
I’m guessing this wasn’t your intention, but this post actually made me realize I don’t have it all that bad. Yes, I may complain about my job here and there and I occassionally may feel a bit bored or stressed. But I generally have good co-workers and a good boss, I don’t spend all day in front of a computer – I’m constantly out of my office meeting and interacting with people. I feel like I am well-respected and I have a good deal of control over my schedule. Yes, job security is always a concern, but I’m lucky to work for a place that has not laid anyone off in the recession and in reality, I’d likely have to do something pretty horrible to get fired.
So I’m sorry if this totally missed your intentions, but thank you for opening my eyes to the fact that I could have it so much worse. (and I don’t mean this to brag or anything – this really was a good post to give me some perspective).
Steve
Hi Katie,
You’re right, it wasn’t my intention, but I’m glad you found it to be useful in another way.
There’s a lot to be said for gaining some perspective on your life. I’m glad to see that you can find the good in your job, it’s something I have a real hard time doing.
BTW, I like the idea of your blog…I hope to see you around the blogosphere!
Rebecca Watson
Oh Gosh, I love this post! – I loved laughing at all the office space quotations. You could definately learn alot about life in general & work- with that movie! 🙂
Steve
Rebecca,
I love finding those ‘Office Space’ fans!!!
If you work in a corporate environment, this movie should be mandatory!
Puremouse
Pretty sure #9 is why I finally got fired in december. My office manager, who simply inherited the job and had ZERO true management ability, got incredibly rude with me for no reason one day. So when the owner asked me, in front of her, what my concerns were (much longer story to that but not worth the telling) I ended up sharing the situation and how hurt I was at being treated like that. her answer? “Well, you were arguing with me.” then goes on later to say “I’m sorry if you got your feelings hurt, but you were arguing with me.” Okay, right there, the minute you said “but” that stopped being an apology for being a bitch and started being a justification for it. Oh well, building the dream now!! Wooo for unemployment!! 😉
Niall Harbison
All very good reasons. I always say that if you are looking at the clock and counting down those last few minutes before 5 o’clock then it is time to get out of there. You’ll be lying on your death bed wishing you could have 5 more minutes of life so why waste it all away!!
Steve
Niall,
This is SO true. I think about that exact thing all the time and it’s really scary. Our time here is so short and will be gone before we know it. We have to stop wasting our lives..
MD
OMG…if only! I start counting down the minute I walk in the door! I’m so far beyond needing to get out of my cubicle!
Harriet`
This blog has made me so glad I don’t work in an office! And that I have no plan to work in an office! Although I totally get the annoyance of having people listening to loud music around you. My housemates don’t know how to turn theirs down and its so annoying!!!
Steve
Harriet,
Yes, be very thankful you don’t work a boring office job, especially MY job….
Kim
Bravo! This is hilarious and sadly I can relate to most of it. I just wrote a similar post on my own blog (I too am gearing up to quit my job in order to travel) that I called 10 Reasons I Won’t Miss My Cube: http://www.so-many-places.com/2011/01/10-reasons-i-wont-miss-cube-ville/
Steve
Hi Kim,
I just checked out your blog and I’m excited for you and your husband (a bit jealous as well)!
It’s amazing to see a person take action and decide to make a change from being unhappy.
It’s inspiring to read that you are choosing to get out of a miserable desk job and see the world. This is what life is all about! Doing something we love!
Good luck to you!!
Adriennemay
I posted a link to this post, I liked it. I enjoy desk/office work if it is varied and creative and flexible, but alas most “office” environments are synonymous with your post.
Steve
Adrienne,
To my surprise, there are people out there who actually like desk jobs!!! I’m glad to you are one of them.
Nice post title, by the way 🙂
DWilliams
I throughly enjoyed reading all the posts and the article. I have been at my current job “cell” for almost 3 years. I have been an “Administrative” whatever for over 20 years now and I think I’m hitting a wall here. It seems I keep getting to the point of “what the heck am I doing here?”. When I was younger I think I felt that this was what I was “supposed” to do. Now I have debt and children and the steady income is keeping me tied to the desk. I’m back doing what I did when I started 20 years ago…front office and I have no desire to do it a day longer! I think I’ve done my time in this jail cell that I’ve put myself in. I’m ready to make a break, but it is scary. The reality is, that it’s getting scarier for me to NOT make the change as I’m not growing and have no sense of satisfaction from this type of work any longer. I want to be working in the Yoga field or the like…no computer, no desk, no office! So glad I’m not alone.
DWilliams
THIS IS WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO SAY 😉
Hi there,
I know I’m not the only one that hates my job! But I think I’m going crazy! Like INSANE…LOOSING MY MIND…ON THE VERGE OF A MAJOR BREAKDOWN…CRAZY!
I don’t know how to break out of this mundane, directionless box I’ve put myself in. I hate computers, phones, offices, and all the people that work in them…including myself!!!
When I started this line of work when I was 18, it seemed really cool and respectable. At one point I had alot of ambition to climb some sort of “corporate ladder”. I got a lot of pats on the back and “atta” girls from people. I thought I was doing the “right” thing. In my heart I always wanted to sing, dance, act, perform, blah blah blah. But my self-esteem was way too LOW for me to believe in myself and when I got messages of “your a dreamer”…I just accepted them.
Well, maybe being a rock star or a star of any sort isn’t where it’s at for me these days, but teaching Yoga? or something related to that type of field sounds very appealing to me.
I guess I’m just reaching out for some feedback. Ultimately, I have to be willing to take the risk and I am, but I’m not sure when/how!!!!
I need to do something before I completely sabotage myself here and the solution is not staying where I’m at! I have children depending on me!
AHHHHHHHH! This is me screaming ;-)!!!! HELP!
Steve
Wow! I can feel your pain all the way through my internet connection. It sounds like you’re in a terrible spot and clearly need to get out ASAP! Send me an email today at steve@endingthegrind.com. We need to chat!
Rick Tardo
Well Said inmate! I’ve been in this prison cubicle for quite some time now.. I hope one day I will be free too.. I need to get a real job. office work sucks!
Steve
Amen to that ! Office work does suck. Good luck on your journey out!
John
This article is right on
And yes true for many workers yet they are to scared to admit it. The fear of being fired prevents people from being themselves at work
It can be a truly degrading experience if you dont fit into the work schedule
I worked a job for 14 years till I was suddenly fired
At first I was upset but as time went by my mind cleared and I felt great almost like I broke free of chains. I am not a freelancer/self employed and have to admit having the freedom and control/no boss is a truly wonderful, amazing experience
I will never have to beg for a job again. Life is much more than the job u work
Steve
Well said, David. Life is FAR more than the work we choose to do!
Michaela
Haha. Thank you for writing this amazing find. I’m currently stuck in a shitty brainless cubicle position for the past three months and it feels like ieons. Extremly frustrating that I am doing work in a 5 day stretch that I can complete easily in a few hours if not less. I feel everyone’s pain and hope we all can escape the hell we are all living in!!! Best of luck to all
Jade
I have found and read this article multiple times now, mostly because it makes me feel understood in a way that my non-cube dweller friends and family cannot comprehend. There is an internal dialogue that occurs in a loop in my head each day and echoes everyone of the points you make. Then somehow, I summon the strength to go back in, determined to make the best of it. This truly is the definition of insanity.
Steve
I hear you, Jade. It IS insane but we do it anyway! What are your plans to get out??
Shandell
This was EXACTLY what I needed to read. I recently went back to my desk job after spinal surgery. It’s only been a week and I hate it even more than I did before my leave. I can’t stand the work or the clients. Everything I do is completely opposite of who I am. Since I am the bread winner in our home I feel obligated to stay. Tonight I actually felt that it would be better just to check-out completely. Sounds dramatic, I know, but I feel that way a lot. My boss is awesome so I’m lucky there. He spoils me a bit which irritates the sh*t out of one of my co-workers. Her response is to be as bitchy as she possibly can to me. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve tried everything. Yoga, exercise, counselling, alcohol, more sleep, less sleep, door closed…etc. Nothing has worked. So…I am planning my escape. Being poor is far better than being dead. Thank goodness I found this blog. A few hours earlier I would not have come to the same conclusion. Well, here’s to freedom and a new chapter!
Thank you so much!
Steve
Wow Shandell, that’s a shitty spot you’re in and I know all too well what you are dealing with. Although you like yours, I HATED my boss and some of my coworkers and the work itself was incredibly boring. I dreamed all day of getting the fuck out and doing something else, anything else.
It took over a decade but I finally did it and I’ll tell you, my quality of life is MUCH better. I wish you luck in your escape and keep me posted!
Fred
great article
great movie – i watch it often! and his new series “silicon valley”
my decades of sitting in a cubicle all day as a programmer also brought with it big lower back problems for me ie degenerated and protruding discs and two back surgeries and still in pain
my point being these crap environments with tons of sitting in cubicles have serious health issues down the track
after the last back surgery i gave up on that lifestyle as sitting for long periods was becoming too hard to do
that was 6 years ago and i never ever want to go back.
Steve
Hey Fred,
Love that movie too but haven’t seen Silicon Valley yet.
Unfortunately your back issues are pretty common for sedentary desk workers. The only way I managed to escape that is by exercising a lot and also getting up from my desk every few hours. I swear my coworkers thought I was a drug dealer or something because I was always going outside or walking away from my office.
Almost Postal
I have been in this office position for 1.5 years now. This is my first office job ever and I hate it with a passion. TO sit for 8 hours and deal with phone calls, and data entry, and business email writing, and, and, and…… all at the same time plus co workers is unbearably exhausting.
I am planning my escape in the new year once I have found a new job, since these jobs are my means to saving for University tuition.
I just can not imagine a life chained to a desk or a cell phone, extracting money from people for parking notices, all of which I am doing now. Can’t wait to be free.
Steve
I feel your pain, man. I did it for 11 years and it sucked the life out of me. It was pure hell for many of those and now that I am working for myself, life has changed dramatically. You’re young and have a lot of life to live, do not waste any more time doing shit you hate!
Ken
how about the fact there are no rafters to hang yourself from…. every time you open an attachment you have to look over your shoulder etc
Nick
I used to work in an office job as a software developer, I know how you feel. I was able to quit and get out of that and now I have a job where I am no longer confined to a cubicle and I get to move around all day. My biggest problem there was the job itself, I did not enjoy that line of work, but I also had to deal with typical office politics, snobby coworkers, supervisors that were micromanagers and condescending jerks, being bored, dealing with project managers that put a new project on your desk that they want done last week, and the corporate dress code (i.e. wearing a tie) and so on and so forth. I just came across this article so I don’t know if you are still in this situation or not. If you are still in this situation I would encourage you to examine what you like to do and strive to make that a reality. I totally understand wanting to get out of the office. During my last two months in the office it got to the point where me not wanting to be there, and just hating my job, started to affect my performance, and the breaking point for me was that my supervisor found out I was job searching and called me out on it, so I told him the truth about how I felt about working there, and that day I quit working there (I didn’t get terminated, or fired, but it probably would have happened if I stayed there long enough). Again I would encourage you to examine yourself to find what it is you would truly enjoy doing and then strive to make it a reality.
Madam X
OMG, this describes my job. I’m disappointed every day when I come into work and the building hasn’t burned down in my absence. I yearn for a zombie apocalypse.
My job in a cube farm is horrible. And the employer is supposed to rank among the best ones in Canada… I shudder to think about the worst ones. My boss has a favorite and she can do no harm. She even punched me once and didn’t get punished. He despises me and wants me to quit. I want them to kick me out. If I leave on my own, I get no package. This company is a Dementor: it sucks the life out of you. I feel like I’m in prison for a crime I did not commit. I hate it!
Charlie
I was moved from a comfortable, shared office into a loud space crowded with gabby people. This after I moved across the country to take a job as the manager of a complex project, a job that required hours on the phone, creative thinking, and lots of writing. Can you spell burnout? I gave notice today. I have no prospects, but I have to leave. I’m excited to see what comes next!
Steve
Good for you Charlie for taking a risk. Too many people play it safe and spend their lives as miserable employees…good luck!!
Tim Smith
I can totally relate to what you’re saying!
The office job I work in is sucking the life out of me, having to sit behind a desk for near enough 8 hours a day. It’s especially tough when there isn’t much work for me to do, so the days take longer to pass and I just feel like I want to dive head first out of the window.
They don’t allow us to listen to music in the office which is very annoying, having to sit in silence for the whole day, or listening to co-workers chatting shit, it’s enough to send anyone crazy!
Life is too short to be sitting behind a desk all day, it’s not how life should be.
I’m currently trying to build an online business on the side and make money as an affiliate marketer, not had much success yet, but I’m determined not to give up.
Steve
Keep going Tim! The only way you fail is if you quit, so your commitment to this project will determine how far you go..
Mike
Also in this situation. The office environment is so unbelievable soul crushing. And it just seems like my co-workers aspire to nothing more in life than this. I contemplate quitting every day. At this point I almost feel that homelessness would be preferable to this mind numbing routine, day after day, and coming home exhausted after tolerating all the inane babble and rules, the stifling political correctness and lack of privacy. Then struggling to fit my personal life and goals into 2 days each week. My demographic was brainwashed to sign up for white collar corporate servitude. But I will emancipate myself by sheer force of will. Best of luck to whomever reads this. I really believe that the gods reward boldness and for those who take risks, the universe aligns to assist them.
Tipper
Christ, at least I’m not alone. I was feeling like a little bit of my soul was dying each day but now I feel my body is following it down the tubes. For the longest time I thought there was something wrong with me but in truth, I’m doing a job I hate, being dictated to by people I wouldn’t trust to feed a goldfish. Of course that leaves the big question; what to do next? Still two quotes come to mind, the 20 years from now Twain quote and my own personal favourite: “How in the hell could a man enjoy being awakened at 6:30 a.m. by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force-feed, shit, piss, brush teeth and hair, and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so?”
― Charles Bukowski
Steve
LOL, great quote Tipper. I agree, we were not meant to live that way which is why I finally broke out of it! What are you doing now?
Alex
This article completely sums up my whole career to date. I’ve had several jobs in the construction industry (longest one I stomached was 2 years). I have spent 6 years of my life since graduating working a career I hate for the paycheck. A friend of mine in the same boat and I have a few ideas for a blog / website which we intend to grow on the side. I’m only 28 but I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way to truly be free and happy is to ditch the ego, ditch the corporate career ladder illusion we were sold in school and go it alone. It’s scary but I have to believe in myself. It’s cool to see that you have escaped the system through your blog, gives inspiration for us all.
Steve
I agree Alex. If you stick with the normal 9-5 that we were told as the key to success, you’ll never have the freedom or flexibility that you want. Good luck on your blog, let em know if you need any help getting started.
Mikey
Glad I’m not the only one that feels this way. I actually have a pretty decent job as office jobs go, interesting technical work, but I’m just not built for office life, it’s just soul destroying.
For those who are married with kids and are the bread winner, it can be incredibly soul destroying and makes breaking free very difficult. I tried a few year ago, and failed miserable!
Anyway, undeterred to escape, my second attempt is planned a bit better with a certain outcome, and this time my wife is supporting me, which is very important as she can see I’m dying on my feet at the moment and really missing my kids growing up.
So, I’m saving my ass off right now and packing in the job mid 2017 to travel for a least a year with the kids before the oldest starts secondary school, and once I’m out, I ain’t going back! I’m clever, well educated and a hard worker, so I’ll figure something out. I’d prefer to just scrape by and have a life and that have to spend the next 20 years in an office, I shudder to think of that. 20 more years in an office, that’s all the motivation I need!!
Steve
Sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders and I feel the same way as you about “living” versus just surviving. It’s HUGE that your wife is supportive and I think most probably aren’t. Without a support system (or someone actually working against you) it can make breaking free almost impossible. I wish you and your family well and hope your life brings many adventures…
Stephanie
I’m a failure, I left office work 3 times only to end up going back to it because it’s the only way I felt I could make stable money. If there was another opportunity where I wouldn’t be stuck at a desk all day, I would take it, but most work I find is very low pay, not full-time, or no benefits are offered. PTO is important to me since I like to travel, but due to my finances not being great and still trying to pay off student loans, I haven’t actually traveled in 5 years. I feel like my life has gone majorly downhill in the past few months, losing a relationship of two years, not being happy with my lot in life, and not getting home until around 8pm most nights has taken away any desire to spend time with friends or family. My health is starting to deteriorate as well. I don’t know how people do this. I have been fortunate to work in offices where I’ve had my own space, and not a cubicle, also never worked for any major corporations until the current job I have. I will never do this to myself again. I was under the impression that it was a good place to work and that people were promoted frequently. It may be true, but I see favoritism all around me and realize I’m making less than I did when I was in my mid-20’s doing one of the worst jobs I’ve had in my entire life. Good blog, I am taking vacation time off next week – only two days, and then the following week off primarily so I can attempt to find work. I sure hope I find something because nothing would make me happier than leaving this hell hole. Walking out this door and never coming back will put a huge smile on my face.. only a matter of time, but time is something I lack when I work such terrible hours.
-End rant – thanks for a safe haven for workers who feel unjustly compensated for ridiculously terrible jobs that cause soul deprivation, loss of life, etc.
Liz
I just told my boss that I am quitting!
Steve
Boom!
Jack
Hello and thank you for this blog. I agree with everything you said. I work in an office and I can literally feel my soul dying a little more each day, even though I am not even 30 yet. My bosses never yell, they are really understanding, I do not work overtime (although my colleagues do, so I will probably be forced to do it too soon), the people in the office are really ok, we can even take as many breaks as we want, we can eat when we want. That’s why some of my friends do not get my complaining. Perhaps they are right in this regard, but I will never enjoy being told when to come, when to leave, what to do, how to do it and spending more time working for someone else than doing what I like. How can you like wasting your life away in a closed space, no matter how ‘great’ the benefits are, when we are spending our LIMITED time, energy and health to make someone else rich, instead of following our passions ? I want to travel the world forever, to experience new culture, new food, new people. I want to experience life instead of being jailed in a 5×5 cell with other inmates. Because this is what an office is, although forced labor is not experienced in a regular prison. We have to find ways to work for ourselves and be the masters of our lives.
All the best!
Sherezada
Hi there! Loved! Loved this blog! OMG. I feel all 10 reasons you listed..LOL On a daily basis. Sometme about 2010 I went back to school to work w/special needs kids. I graduate Next July and I cannot wait to start in that field. I’ve been recruiting for 10 yrs now and i can honestly say: I HATE every bit of it. I stare at my cube walls, read blogs like yours.. LOL and doodle just to put in a good hour or 2 of work, which is what it takes me anyways to get through this stuff. Non-the-less I have to stick it out for the next year or so, to pay down college debts.. EHHHHH
Christine
Loved this blog, Steve! I specifically searched ‘what to do when you feel like sitting at a desk is driving you crazy’ and, of course, the movie that sums it up for me, you used.
I am an artist (I paint, draw, do collage), but sit in a cubicle doing graphic design. I am also 6’2″, and my chair is way too short (too long to explain why they can’t change that). I am sitting here on a Sunday literally cringing at going in to work tomorrow. I do have to say, the work isn’t stressful, and the people I work with are nice (yet I do have an ear-splitting talk-a-holic in the next cubicle), but I can’t do this much longer. As a contractor, I haven’t been able to save much money over the past few years (agencies take their cut), but the thought of going and getting a higher-paying mcjob still makes me cringe.
I love your advice on just doing what you can on the side. I am trying, and it is grueling, but I want to be OUT and DOING ART and making things (clothing for tall girls, inventions), but it seems like slow going. Every day I pray I get laid off.
So, all of this to say, thank you for this blog. I’m still trying to figure out how to do this, but hopefully I’ll think of every day as closer to freedom instead of closer to death. 🙂
Nicki
There are a lot of pros and cons with office jobs just like any job. However i think you need to align your job with your personality. I dont mind office jobs because i like working out of bad weather and in air conditioning, setting my own pace with my work schedule and being able to set aside a few minutes to have chats with work colleagues. The negatives are constantly being glued to a computer and getting weary and drained from it and getting sick of sitting down for long periods of time. However i worked in retail and other odd jobs before full time work and i much prefer an office setting in comparison. Less hectic and no customers!
Lori
what an awesome blog. I’ve had enough of office work myself. 2 years ago was a victim of bullying from an awful new boss I got after 3 1/2 years there. ended up on stress leave, deep depression etc. So I left there. Did a recharge for a bit, jumped right back into another office job. The “talented” staff there thought it was ok to yell at you in front of everyone. Quit, took more time off. Went to yet another office job where the boss was the office gossip talking about her own staff behind their backs to staff in same department. Was let go a day before probation up. Did the job well, was told on many occasions, no news is good news. Took some more recharge time off. Lastly yet another job, different type of work.. Thought to myself YAY Finally something that will work for me. My reg boss goes on mat leave. Unqualified as manager contract coordinator trained me (sort of) She hated being asked the same question twice even if you didn’t get what she was saying. Well that person became my boss. No email etiqutte, rude snide comments etc. (she thought she was helping haha) 2nd week in at that place was told by her that she was “not going to be my crutch” nice eh?? Well with the crappy history I had. I did not allow her to talk down to me and behave that way towards me without my letting her know it was ok. had a face to face with her in privacy of her office. We were on “same page” so I thought. then her snooty behavior continued. This person was all about getting all the attention etc. I did very well at this job yet she had an issue with me. Was just let go 2 days short of probabion being done. I guess she could dish it but didn’t like when I gave her truth to all her comments, assumptions I wasn’t doing my job to her “prissy” standards etc…. End of story is, I will NEVER work in an office again. been at it for over 20 years of robotic thankless office work. Time to do something else that’s for sure. I refuse to spend the rest of my career (will be 50 this year) At the hand of idiots who think they know how to manage.
Lori
*correcton to the above. “without letting her know it was NOT ok”
Jesin
i work at a far better place than what is explained here .A company famous for its work life balance ,respect to employees ,ample amount of freedom, nice colleagues ,good amount of vacation time,work from home facility, good benefits and perks .
BUT ……..still I hate this job .I cannot stand the thought waking up everyday to go and do something that literally has no meaning or value to myself 🙁 My mind is boggled and excited with creative things i want to do with my life that i cannot concentrate it any of my office work .
Brian
I was fired from a “cushy” office job almost a year ago. I can’t complain about the co-workers or my boss; they were good people. Now, I work in a retail hardware store all day and I love it even though I often deal with shittier people. Office work just isn’t for everybody, and I really believe it’s terrible for your health. I’d rather be poor and healthy with a tanned, sexy physique than rich, fat, pale, and gross.
Thanks for the blog, Steve.
Shaun
Awesome blog, Steve. I’ve been working office-type jobs for the bulk of my “professional/post-college” career and like another person posted earlier, back then I thought it was the right thing to do. It felt right. But as time passed and I grew more ambitious (or unhappy?) – I began to simply seek a higher salary because all my engineer friends from college were making a lot more than me, buying houses, and settling down. Ultimately, I went back to school yet again 6 years ago and got into the legal field as a certified paralegal (I dared not go to law school to end up with a shitload more debt considering I was still paying my loans for my undergrad studies). The first couple of years were rough but overall good, and then it got even better. Great schedule, cool boss and co-workers, easy to get time off.. but after a couple of years of that and no raise only little bonuses here and there, yet tons more work, I got a little disillusioned. My friends and family were impressed that I seemingly moved up but I ultimately ended up being just a slightly higher-paid guy in another cubicle busting his ass. So I began looking at the job market and seeing what’s out there and I landed a higher paying legal job on the spot and it was sunshine and rainbows at first (that seems to be the pattern with office jobs). To make matters worse, a number of the attorneys and assistants I worked with were catty and downright annoying. Work was being distributed unevenly and sure the pay was better but my stress and alcohol consumption increased a hell of a lot. I began putting in 10 hours a day much of the week and eating lunches at my desk with stacks of never-ending case files taking up too much space in my cube. One attorney in particular drove me to the brink over the last few weeks so I put in my 2-weeks last Friday after landing another desk-type job that an old friend of mine hooked me up with. Got shit-faced over the weekend, had a blast with some old friends and family, this past Monday, called out sick to the job I put in my 2-weeks in with (felt good!) and then the senior partner of the firm terminated me. Guess he didn’t like me putting in my 2 weeks and then taking a self-proclaimed 3-day weekend. Over the past few months I have been working on a side project that I think has potential but as you said, I should continue to earn paychecks while starting up this project. I called my father this morning because he popped in my mind. He used to be a computer operator and he had a cushy job with the state; benefits and all. But he spent his last 15 or so years working in a warehouse and many of the relatives (including me) questioned it. This morning he said he enjoyed the work, he already had his retirement laid out and there was very little bullshit in his blue collar job that kept him in good shape. Has anyone else here just gone full-on blue collar after putting in over 15 years as an office worker?
Naomi
I just gave notice at my state office job and am considering carpentry or landscaping. I have no experience directly but lots of exposure, so hopefully i’ll get hired based on being in shape and willing to learn. I think it’s easier for men to do, but I have to try!
Steve
You’ll never know unless you try!
Jen H
This entire story is my life now. I have been in these types of jobs for 16 years now and I cannot take it anymore…. I’m trying to figure out what to do next but its definitely not sitting all day. At home late at night I don’t mind relaxing on the computer but I’
m doing stuff I like not BS all day….
Steve
Start digging and finding out what you really want to do, Jen..
Tracy
Escaped 10 years ago and by that time I had my own corner office and I was a partner. It didn’t matter I walked out the door and have never looked back. I didn’t even have a plan it took a few years to heal and uncondition myself. A few businesses later I’m still here. I’ve never gone back. It’s not for the faint of heart though but it’s the best personal development you’ll ever find.
Steve
Good for you, Tracy. I love hearing these stories..
Jaime
I started out in production, loved moving just hated the never ending overtime. Went to college and for 17 years I’ve been in offices. The past 4 years have been in a cubical. I have never been so depressed in my entire life. I can feel my body deteriorating. I’m so busy most days I realize I haven’t gone to the bathroom, eaten or drank anything. I found the time to go to massage school. I’ve been trying to get that going for a year with NO success. Some days I just want to hang myself. Trying to pay off the credit card debt I’ve accrued trying to buy potions and lotions, self help books etc to get myself out of this funk. Was just working on my resume to leave but not feeling getting another office job.
Steve
I feel your pain Jaime although I’ve never been overcome with the feeling to hang myself..It’s clear you need a change and fast. Life is WAY too short for this bullshit. You’ll have to hustle your ass off but it’s the only way to beat the system. Good luck to you. Seriously. I wish you well.
Steve
I used to work in a call center for a major cell phone company. There are few professions that trigger as much misery as that one did for me. Not to mention I worked in the collections department. I used to come home utterly depressed every day that I worked. I tried to stay positive, but it was impossible. When I asked my supervisor how long it took for her to get to her position and she said 5 years, that pretty much did it for me. I heard the worst of the worst on the other line for two agonizing years until I finally said goodbye.
Steve
Good for you, Steve. Life is waaaaaayyy too short for that shit.
Mason
Same for me with this stuff, but on the upside 3 days left of work and I’m done for good! No more office job ever again unless it’s my office with my name on the side of it. Good luck to anyone stuck in the grind
Steve
Right on, Mason!
Steve
Hi Steve! I came across this while trying to figure out what to do. Luckily I was let go recently because of my “performance”. While I understand the reasoning behind their excuse, it was just a matter of time before I left or was forced to leave. I had the pleasure of having a toxic boss follow me to a new company about a year after I started. I was miserable everyday working with no security, micromanaging, and typical office politic bs. Everyday I pulled into the parking lot it took everything I had in me to get out of the car and walk in. At this point I don;t want anything to do with office work again. I put Office Space in as soon as I finished reading this and it nails everything on the head. While I know it’s going to be a bit difficult going forward, I think this is the kick in the pants I needed to work for myself and feel rewarded for the hard work I put into whatever I do. Thanks for this!
Steve
I feel your pain Steve and your story is so much like mine. What are your plans going forward?
Veronica
I worked as a medical asst up until Sept 2017 got a job offer in the NICU…i didnt accept it because i found out id have no patient contact just answer phones and doors…for 3 12hr nights…Now i keep thinking i should of just accepted it but at the same time i think id go “nuts” Do you think i made the right choice??
I brought this up to my daughter and friends they said i would go totally nuts cuz i like being busy and cant sit at a desk All day…
Steve
Hard to say without knowing your full story but I never advise heading into a situation that you know you’ll be miserable in. If you know you thrive being around people, it’s probably safe to say that you’d be pretty unhappy.
Naomi
I just resigned from my IT Project Management job with only a part time bartending job lined up. It’s terrifying, but I really want a different quality of life. I want a garden and chickens and to spend time hiking with my dogs and being present and available to my family. I am trusting that all will work out, but the first step had to be taking control of my life and happiness! I would recommend to everyone.
Aidan
Last week I handed in my resignation. I have worked in an office environment for 20 years now (software development/project manager),I could not take it anymore. I worked in a setup that I have hated for a long time – sitting down for most of the day and starring into a computer screen. I have always got on with the people I worked with so there was never any issues there…it was always that damn chair ,desk and computer. I should have got out a long time ago but the money was good and I was willing to sacrifice happiness for a pay check. I hope and pray that I will never look to work in an office again. I have savings that will keep me going for a while until I find something new. At this stage I would collect garbage rather than head back to an office (no offense to garbage collectors!). I was raised on a farm…love being outdoors and being active, working in an office always went against the grain. I know that my next job will not pay as well, it will be a big step back but I am willing to take a chance and see where it leads. I am also terrified of this change but I know I have to do or I will go insane.
John
I remember reading this article back in 2014 and have been freed from the office since 2017. I did a TESOL course and some security courses and now work part-time/ casual in both those industries (ESL from hone). I’m so much happier.
Steve
Right on, John! Welcome to the rest of your life!
tory
I know this is an old thread , but alot of this rings true… all of my siblings work in office jobs . I am a auto technician. My days fly by ..i get to triuble sgoot things .use my brain … my job might disappear one day due to the market..but i will never have a sit down computer job… no way
stephen
wow. 17 years in I.T. for me, I HATE it and because if that im struggling, cant keep up with these geeks, their fast click click clicks!! and fast “whitty” conversations.. Im a fraud and an imposter in this career. ive tried hard to get out.. health and fitness, conservation, physio spent money on studies, lost money on career changes.
I am a nature baby! tie a monkey to a cubicle and thats me, smashing on my keyboard.
Ive had to deal with managers, “Service Delivery Managers” and “Project Managers”, I HATE them… they get paid good money to just slow us down and make our lives a misery.
this is just a waste of my time, good luck people, I wish you all the best in following your heart cos it aint 100% of your time in an office/cubicle.
the world would be a better place without those mental prisons.
Steve
Spoken like a true bitter employee! I felt the same way for a decade!
John
Hi Steve, I am based in the UK and things are the same here I work in the pharmaceutical industry. I am also a registered pharmacist. I can honestly say with absolute passion that I am so bored out of my face it’s not even funny. Dealing with moronic colleagues, aggressive/pushy colleagues is a nightmare. If you are a genuine straight forward kind of guy, it’s a tough environment. Let’s say everyone was nice overall even then the rules and restrictions on everything is very dry. I make good money but have that bright spark in me that knows every minute at my desk is a waste of life. Ultimately I do it for the money. I actually have a strategy: I work for a year then leave then take several months off by living on savings, admittedly I don’t spend too much when I am off but still love being at home watching films, training and generally having my own space. Then as funds trickle down I pick up another contract. When I see senior staff doing their thing I don’t think to myself I can’t wait to do that in 10 yrs. I like having a simple life that is easy and hassle free, I have no desire to be obsessed with work. I do my stuff and get out on the dot. I also work from home when I can which is a boost. 40hrs a week is plenty for me!
Steve
Hey John, as long as you’re happy and it’s working for you, then go for it! Life is was too short for anything less.
caroleina estrada
This resonates with me! I have moved from one call center to another thinking that taking “different types of calls” will make it better but it won’t. I am taking a bold step into working at a warehouse, which honestly beats the call center prison. IT’S UNHEALTHY MENTALLY TO BE GLUED TO A PHONE IN A SMALL SPACE. SEDENTARY JOBS KILL. I have been so unhappy honestly the pay (although its good) is not worth all the stress and unhappiness its brought in my life. To anyone out there QUIT WHEN YOU CAN!
Steve
Well said, Caroleina. Life is just too damn short.