https://www.reddit.com/r/simpleliving/comments/1j0kvg8/being_grateful_for_your_job/
created by overwhelming_colors on 28/02/2025 at 22:59 UTC*
78 upvotes, 15 top-level comments (showing 15)
Just think for a bit, how often do you complain about your job. How much do you have to work, how boring it is, how much time do you waste being here, how little money you make, what better job could you have etc.
We all know how shitty it is, but the truth is that everyone needs to work to be able to afford living comfortably - even simply. To mitigate this, incorporate some mindfulness into everyday working life. Try to be thankful for what you do, try to think about positives. For example „I’m glad that I was able to help those people in need today” or „this work is boring, but I’m not being pushed to my absolute maximum so I can leisurely get through the day” or even „I’m really glad I have this job, so I can be myself among coworkers”.
Of course those statements will vary among you all, depending on the circumstances, but I think it’s of highest importance that you find at least some positives there. It doesn’t matter what those are, but they have to be there, otherwise You will burn out quicker than a piece of dry wood.
I had some bad jobs before and I’m really glad I had those, so I know what to avoid, and so I could focus my energy on finding something I enjoy doing. If you feel you are stuck, just know it’s not the end of the world, and you have the power to make even the shittiest job at least bearable for the time being, while you look for something meaningful.
Edit: some people probably can’t read. Thinking of positive things does not invalidate negative things! And being completely burned out makes it easier to make mistakes while searching for a new job!
Comment by scrollgirl24 at 01/03/2025 at 00:06 UTC
35 upvotes, 0 direct replies
As a federal employee checking every day if I still have my job at all.....yeah. Enjoy the boredom and stability if you have it!!
Comment by emelynne35 at 28/02/2025 at 23:40 UTC
28 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Before, I was fed up with my job, and I left it to try other things. The other things were worse and made me realize how much I loved my job.
Today I returned to my work and I notice the positive points of it every day.
I make pizza, it's so cool to make pizza. I move, I'm up and moving, it's good for my body. The business is open to the outside, I can enjoy the fresh air and the sun every day, I am not locked in an office or a closed kitchen. I don't have my boss on my back, I work independently. My split hours allow me to have time for myself in the morning, afternoon and evening. I knew how to prove my worth in the eyes of my boss, he has confidence in me and pays me well. Thanks to this job, I have a good salary, and I can use my money to do things I love and to plan for my future.
Comment by Eriize-no-HSBND at 28/02/2025 at 23:11 UTC
46 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Truth is some jobs are life draining, I'm gonna be a doctor in a few years and I sure as hell an happy I'm not gonna be doing certain jobs
Comment by hammyburgler at 28/02/2025 at 23:20 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I love/hate my job every single day.
Comment by cuposheep at 01/03/2025 at 01:09 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There’s definitely all different pros and cons to any job, and agree to focus on the positives if that’s what is in your control. Even the positives lose their appeal and novelty over time
I’m generally not super thrilled with my current job but I was SO excited when I just started. Now I’m more jaded, less motivated, and realized I don’t actually have to work very hard. I end up being restless most of the day, not feeling very fulfilled, and not sleeping very well.
I used to work at a much worse job with a toxic boss, for a quarter of the pay and x2 the hours. There were days where I would cry on my way to work.. but it was the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life because my daily escape.
I’d say my bar has been raised considerably, but I still need to remind myself to be grateful every day!
Comment by thecourageofstars at 01/03/2025 at 01:32 UTC
19 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This is pretty much textbook toxic positivity.
People can both recognize the aspects they love about their job, and still struggle with the negatives. And sometimes letting people vent and be honest about a situation that doesn't meet their needs is healthier and more efficient at even making sure the feeling can be felt and released instead of trying to suppress it, often leading into resentment.
I understand you mean well. But truly helping people means sometimes being comfortable with things not being all sunshine and rainbows, and making space for people to share whatever their true feelings are instead of trying to filter out all things perceived as "bad". Even "negative" emotions can be more of a check engine light and still be helpful to indicate to us when adjustments might need to be made, like lessening hours, delegating more tasks to coworkers, discussing inaccurate labels and salary ranges with management, etc.
People recognizing when they are unhappy doesn't mean they aren't grateful too, which is a lot of black and white thinking. People can be grateful for some aspects of their job AND need to share elements of it that aren't working well for them. Both can be and often are true, as life is often nuanced and rarely lives in absolute extremes.
Comment by TrishaThoon at 01/03/2025 at 02:28 UTC
8 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yeah…no. Some people really have shitty jobs and there are no positives about it. I don’t like fake positivity and I don’t think it is good. There are people stuck in less than ideal jobs and situations and telling them to think positive thoughts about it invalidates them and their feelings.
Comment by PurpleAlien4255 at 01/03/2025 at 03:44 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
My problem in my job is my manager is incompetent and the incompetency forces my hand in fixing problems.
Its either I fix it now by strong-arming my way into authority, fix the screw ups later but have to politically backtrack, or do nothing be held liable for having the expertise but being negligent
I have had to do things that break my principles and it absolutely disgusts me. I don’t see much other option besides quitting and finding a new job, but work life balance is good
There isn’t much I can do in this situation though since even if my manager gets moved out of the way, I still have to do his job either way. Im doing leadership stuff I didn’t sign up for.
I dont know what to do really
Comment by mage_irl at 01/03/2025 at 17:33 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You can complain about your job and that's totally fine. At the end of the day, I'm not grateful for the job itself but the stability it provides and the purpose it adds, not the act of working on its own. I also don't really like how kids are asked what their dream is and it's always about jobs. Whoever decided that jobs have to be part of our dreams? I want to work to live life, not live to work.
Comment by silassss at 01/03/2025 at 12:31 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Idk if I needed this post or I hated this post.
Being in the military means I have no control over whether I get to leave my job until my contract expires.
It’s quite shitty all around and I’m so tired of wasting 65-80 hours a week.
Comment by AzrykAzure at 01/03/2025 at 14:36 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I am very lucky to have worked towards a job I enjoy.
Comment by fliphat at 01/03/2025 at 00:40 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You are right on all level, even if you have a bad job now and are suffering, you still learn a lot of things from suffering, ie , experience, how to endure, comparison to future job, know it is not right for you, courage to leave, etc..
Keep your head high and try to make every situation positive if you can
Comment by AutoModerator at 28/02/2025 at 22:59 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Hello, /u/overwhelming_colors! Thank you for your participation. It looks like this post is about careers, jobs, or work. Please note r/simpleliving is not a career advice sub - if you're asking for that, please retry in those subreddits. If it's not career advice, carry on!
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Comment by Federal-Purchase-444 at 01/03/2025 at 01:04 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I agree
Comment by u6dmYkPV0Qf at 01/03/2025 at 04:16 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don’t disagree with OP but only so long as it applies to living the best version of yourself. There are life draining jobs. Those life draining jobs are a signal that you need to keep searching. Not everyone has the luxury of searching though, and instead try to learn how to cope with the situation they’re in. I’ve lived both situations. Both are noble but big difference between the two.
Make a plan. Work the plan. Adjust the plan as things change. Always keep searching for what brings you the most fulfillment and you will either get there or die being thankful that you didn’t give up.