Stuck in a rut

I am younger than you so feel free take my advice with a grain of salt. I don't have anything solid to contribute. But one thing I think about is yeah.. working a job you don't care for is fine as long as it's getting the bills paid & you're comfortable with what you're doing.
But I also think you don't have to settle for less just because that's the best choice at the moment.

Honestly I'd say think of it this way... Would you rather start something new now & give yourself that time to build up.. or would you rather spend even MORE time at a place you're already bored of? Therefore minimizing your chances at finding something you might actually like better & also minimizing the time you can spend doing something you actually look forward to.

I can't tell you what to do or what the best choices are but maybe think about what you want & how possible it is for you to get it. If it's even slightly possible.. I say go for it

I worked in offices all my life, until redundancy made me change career path and I'm now a support worker for disabled people. It's hard, but far more gratifying (though I know it's not for everyone). My cousin had a great career in offices, but hated his job too, he'd constantly lament about it, but his wife would always go on about the new patio furniture they'd bought or the new television they had. She simply couldn't see how unhappy he was. Three months later he died suddenly.

A month after his funeral I saw his wife in town. She saw me and I spoke to her. She thanked me and said others had seen her, but crossed the road, probably because they didn't know what to say. She then broke down and sobbed as I embraced her on the pavement outside the Post Office. She had no idea just how miserable her husband had been. She was left with her patio furniture. Eventually, she sold the house and moved into a flat on her own.

My point is, you only live once and believe me when I say your family would much rather you were happy than spending your life in modest misery. Your happiness and fulfilment will have a positive effect on them, not a negative one. Explain to them how you feel, then make the change you feel you need to. You only live once. Make the most of it.

I feel ya. I was a sales and rental manager and at 38, I went back to the trade I came up in. It took 3 years of paying things off and setting myself up for success to take the pay cut. I wanted to make sure my family didn’t feel the repercussions of my decision

Something unbelievable happened; since I was doing it because I wanted to and not because I had to, it was incredibly fulfilling and gave me great joy. I came up through the ranks quickly and am now in more of a support and consulting position. I’m paid by the hour and the sky is the limit

We are the same age. My current plan is to have my house paid off when I’m 45. At that point, I’m going to reduce my hours to about 25-30 a week

I don’t know if having a a plan in place to create light at the end of the tunnel would help, but it’s an incredible motivator for me

There are many angles, right?
Finding and exploring new passions outside work may fill in your rut.
Doing things that a lesser position may not afford you to do.

Im all about people doing what makes them happy. I mean, you are young enough for an entire new path.
And finding a job is far easier when you have one. And your record there is impressive.

You seem thoughtful enough to make the right choice ...

Is there a different position you coulddo at the same place to change things up a bit?
If not. Maybe talk to your boss and see what they say. Just tell the truth you are happy with your job but getting bored and ask if they could help either challenge you with some other tasks or maybe get a temporary leave of absence so you can try something new.

Wow this sounds exactly like me..working the same job since I was 18..I'm 37...same desk.. pays relatively well...easy job..good benefits....but yeah boring and no room for growth and since I'm at the top of the payscale switching jobs means a pay cut most likely and moving to a less convenient location...want to make a move but don't want to give up the stability.

I think there are lots that you can do.

We spend so much time at work it is important that we get some sort of fulfillment. Also tou have another 20 years left in your career... youvare only half way!
You may not necessarily need to take a pay cut .

I didnt work for a few years and when i went back i chose to go back into public sector and am now working for the nhs. I can earn more if i was private swctor but i reallyblove the work i am doing.... also i found this job on linkedin

Without knowing what you donis hard but inthink you can try and change it up.... maybe ask for some role changes, do some training. If you have been there that long you must be a valued team member.

PS I am 43, not 443! Should proof read.