I struggle with that sort of thing more outside of work, but I hear you Steph. We're so indoctrinated to think that if we just TRY HARDER we can do anything and the reality is, no, we cannot. I'm all for putting in the effort for something you WANT to accomplish even though it is hard, but making yourself cry just because you don't want to be a quitter is unnecessary.

You can't just grow some goddamn wings through sheer willpower, you know?

Not sure if any of that makes sense outside my head.

Short answer - you don't have to justify leaving a job that makes you miserable. Making you miserable is sufficient reason to bail.

ETA: you too, lisah.

Ultimately, I don't see a difference. Life is too short to be that unhappy with a job.

This. Life obviously is really short. Make the most with the time you have and don't worry about the narrative of it.

Maria, that is awesome!!! Drinks soon to celebrate!

what they all said, very much, Steph.

::hugs lisah:: I'm sorry your job is being so awful.

Good news, Maria! Although boo to the other fuckery.

I know that feeling, Jesse. Sometimes motivating myself is the hardest thing to do.

Yay! Maria!!!!

If you can afford to leave a job you are unhappy in, then do.

Maria, I'm glad you have one thing off your plate.

Teppy, the way you have described your issues with this job, I think your talent and hard work are not the real question. I think the real question is, what the hell is wrong with the person who gives you your assignments but cannot be bothered to communicate clear guidelines for what is expected. It isn't that you do not know how to do the things she wants you to do, it is that you do not know precisely which things those are. These are not reasonable expectations. You get paid to edit, not to read minds. Obviously your boss's communication style and yours do not match, and if the situation is making you unhappy, it is time to move on. As to whether anyone else on the planet matches your boss's communication style, I would speculate, no and good luck to her finding someone who can do better than you.

I'll agree with the others, life is too short in stay in a job that's making you miserable.

Yay, Maria! Some good news today.

No kidding, though I'm scared about the potential tax implications. If I'm reading things correctly, I may be able to use the insolvency exception (without actually declaring bankruptcy).

Wow. Just wow.

As to whether anyone else on the planet matches your boss's communication style, I would speculate, no and good luck to her finding someone who can do better than you.

Well, there's a freelance staff of more than just me, so apparently some people have figured this stuff out. I don't know. Not everybody can be equally good at everything, and I guess I've found my limit.

If you can afford to leave a job you are unhappy in, then do.

Yeah, and so I need to figure out what to do next. I'm back to not knowing what I want to do or even how to go about finding that job even if I knew what I wanted to do.

I used to think I was good at stuff, but I really don't have that kind of confidence any more. I'm convinced I'm completely unemployable. Which is probably not true. But in addition to thinking I'm completely unemployable, I'm paralyzed by not knowing what to do next.