Not really sure what to do (title change so as not to cause offence)

[Dire_Straits]

I wasn’t sure where to post this as it relates to different topics, but here goes. Ive been a plumber (and I use this term loosely) for over 16 years now. I have always had my gas acs ticket, but only used it a handful of times, until more recently. I now fix boilers, heating etc, but getting a bit bored and fed up of the same stuff, same boilers same customers.

My mind and mood is like a snakes and ladders, one minute I’m ok, the next I’m in a downward spiral. I used to have a lot of confidence in my job until I joined these online forums, this is where I’ve realised I’ve hardly any experience, my advice is quite often carp or inaccurate.

The catch 22 is i have leaned quite a lot from these forums, but because I can’t always put it into practice, it’s often forgotten, the same goes for manufacturers courses,or acs resits.

I’ve always been self critical, and don’t have much self esteem. I struggle to understand some of even the basic stuff and get criticism when I show it (on here at least). I struggle with a lot of other things, but have probably bored some of you already. I do sometimes enjoy what I do, but I keep going around in circles with how I feel.

I’m looking for advice, if anyone has any related experience of this, my mind is telling me to give it up, my heart says I can’t because I won’t get paid the same, I’ll have let people down including supporting my family. I know it’s a heck of a lot tougher for a lot more, as they are worse off than me, and maybe I shouldn’t be moaning about it. I am grateful for being employed, but at the same point, surely I can’t carry on being miserable?

I have been looking at other jobs, but there’s so many, but not within the payscale.

Thanks indeed anyone has take the time to read.

 

[Notch7]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Social media is not a good arbiter of ones own ability, so I wouldn't take much notice of online criticism.

If you've been a plumber for 16 years, I imagine you have repeat customers and get most of your work from recommendation? That would indicate competence to me.

What you are describing sounds like a mental health issue more than a job issue. Low self esteem, a lack of focus, up and down confidence....rather sounds like some form of anxiety or depression.

I would look into other areas of you life first, not the job. Things like your energy levels, how healthy you are, alcohol intake, work life balance, food you eat, exercise, sleep, relationship.

Going to the gym, going to bed early etc etc can make huge differences.

 

[durhamplumber]

Agree with Notchy.You seem to be suffering from mental health issues.No idea of your life outside of work.The current Covid situation is seriously affecting many...1 tip...if you really suffer from low self esteem..PLEASE stay away from social media.Do what makes you happy.Maybe chat to a health professional..Sport,hobbies,whatever..Boredom creeps in no matter what job you do.Takes reals balls to open your heart on here..Best of Luck.

 

[Dire_Straits]

If you've been a plumber for 16 years, I imagine you have repeat customers and get most of your work from recommendation? That would indicate competence to me.

Thanks but I’m not self employed so irrelevant. I’m employed by a company I won’t say which area but all the customers are similar. Maybe it is some form of mental health issue. I don’t drink alcohol really, usually on Christmas Day, I don’t smoke, I don’t go to the gym, my sleep pattern is all to cock, so this may be connected. Relationship is so-so, again could be connected. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[durhamplumber]

I’ve always been self critical, and don’t have much self esteem.

I can really associate with that.When I have been at my lowest I found that travel helped ( bit tricky now I know).And simply just going out with my mates,socialising and having a laugh and taking it 1 day at a time..Worst thing for depression is isolation..But it so difficult when all you want to do is stick your head under the duvet and cry...You have made a huge step in self help..Reaching out

 

[Bodd]

Wow
Thats all very honest. Im in the Industry and consider myself good. Yet I listen to some on CC and they have me baffled with their knowledge. Some are so clever. But are they good at Installing. Are their hands so big and fat that they can comfortably work on boilers.
Are they fit and healthy that they can able to do the job they talk so well about.

Don't be so hard on yourself. doing what you do is so vast, how can you know it all.


A lot of heating engineers are not Plumbers and Plumbers that no nothing about gas or boilers.
I have two mates who are Gas engineers But I had to fit their boilers as they would have struggled as they are or were Service breakdown engineers. They could never fit a bathroom.

Why don't you specialise in one thing. Maybe get a job repairing coffee machines, or water softeners. Your plumbing knowledge would help you get through the door.
Company van, salary and a pension. And knowing what you will have in store for you every day... nearly every day.


Chin up and don't give up.

 

[durhamplumber]

have always had my gas acs ticket, but only used it a handful of times, until more recently

Not sure what you are doing.. If you have your acs...use it....Go work for BG or specialise in Commercial,Industrial,whatever..The extra experience might help with your esteem...Do not look at everyone around you and think they ooze self confidence..Some people just hide issues better.

 

[durhamplumber]

I have always been more into service and repairs as that is what i fell into in my 20s..Never liked installs....Still do not...Im.57 now....Wanted to be a pilot or nurse or god knows what.Always thought service engr job was way beneath me..Had huge chip on shoulder.As you become older you realise,the worth of a person is irrelavent of job...I am happy in my own skin now though..Money worries lessoned.Looking forward to retirement..Life is a pain at times.And by god it flies by....Most nauseous line that used to irritate me..."BE HAPPY""but i try and do it...not just for me but those who love me.

 

[Brigadier]

.Do not look at everyone around you and think they ooze self confidence

Ain't that the truth.
It's easy to look around and think that everyone is doing better than you.
Reality is, many are not.
Like social media, apart from the few who have a laugh on it, most are attention whores, and bigging themselves up.
Ever wonder why there'll all either gurning in their photos, and / or using filters?
It's not because they're happy with who they are now, is it?

 

[Bodd]

Wanted to be a pilot or nurse or god

God must be a good job.. does it pay well ...

 

[Dire_Straits]

All great advice so far, thank you. @durhamplumber im doing domestic boiler repairs and heating. Might get some rads to fit, or leaking rads. The trouble isn’t when faced with a boiler fault, unless it’s obvious, then it can be a head scratcher - which is fine, however I’ve been told not to spend too long on a job and if it can’t be fixed then usually new boiler time. Things like that don’t help .

When I first got into the boiler repairs I was really enthusiastic and happy, now I’m just like a robot most days. Maybe if I can get on some more training courses it will be different.

@Bodd - I know I’m probably being hard on myself, and don’t expect to know it all, it’s just lately what I’m learning doesn’t seem to sink in.

 

[EddieM]

Wow
Thats all very honest. Im in the Industry and consider myself good. Yet I listen to some on CC and they have me baffled with their knowledge. Some are so clever. But are they good at Installing. Are their hands so big and fat that they can comfortably work on boilers.
Are they fit and healthy that they can able to do the job they talk so well about.

Don't be so hard on yourself. doing what you do is so vast, how can you know it all.


A lot of heating engineers are not Plumbers and Plumbers that no nothing about gas or boilers.
I have two mates who are Gas engineers But I had to fit their boilers as they would have struggled as they are or were Service breakdown engineers. They could never fit a bathroom.

Why don't you specialise in one thing. Maybe get a job repairing coffee machines, or water softeners. Your plumbing knowledge would help you get through the door.
Company van, salary and a pension. And knowing what you will have in store for you every day... nearly every day.


Chin up and don't give up.

@Bodd It's not very helpful to someone who sounds down to "keep their chin up" just as it's unhelpful to tell them to "pull themselves together"

I'm wary of offering any advice as it's a very complicated issue. I'd like to say seek some professional advice via your GP, but I know how poor mental health services are.

 

[Dire_Straits]

I know how poor mental health services are.

The crazy thing is my mum works in mental health, but I don’t trust her not to keep it disclosed.

@Bodd It's not very helpful to someone who sounds down to "keep their chin up" just as it's unhelpful to tell them to "pull themselves together"

This is true to be honest, I’ve been on mental health awareness training - ironic isn’t it.

 

[durhamplumber]

Thanks but I’m not self employed so irrelevant. I’m employed by a company I won’t say which area but all the customers are similar. Maybe it is some form of mental health issue. I don’t drink alcohol really, usually on Christmas Day, I don’t smoke, I don’t go to the gym, my sleep pattern is all to cock, so this may be connected. Relationship is so-so, again could be connected. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Disturbed sleep is often an indicator of mental health issues.Your relationship sounds less than ideal..Is that a cause or a result of unhappiness...I do not drink much now...but by god it has been a huge social lubricant for many years....Just a few pints and drifting off to another place,dancing,meeting new people helped enormously...I appreciate it is differing times and not everyones thing,but I have always found that if you make effort,life meets you half way...etc.

 

[durhamplumber]

All great advice so far, thank you. @durhamplumber im doing domestic boiler repairs and heating. Might get some rads to fit, or leaking rads. The trouble isn’t when faced with a boiler fault, unless it’s obvious, then it can be a head scratcher - which is fine, however I’ve been told not to spend too long on a job and if it can’t be fixed then usually new boiler time. Things like that don’t help .

When I first got into the boiler repairs I was really enthusiastic and happy, now I’m just like a robot most days. Maybe if I can get on some more training courses it will be different.

@Bodd - I know I’m probably being hard on myself, and don’t expect to know it all, it’s just lately what I’m learning doesn’t seem to sink in.

I went self employed 20 years ago...Changed from Commercial breakdowns for huge company (constant pressure) to domestic...Best thing i ever did...Not dreading monday mornings is priceless...I always found dom mfr tech lines v helpful..