Solitude

[Romeo Sensini]

So my business has failed and I must re-enter the employment market.

The bit I am dreading most is having to sit in an office with other people with all that entails - I've been by myself for too long.

Anyone else feel like this or have I become a sad old man?

[ulstersubbie]

Your best bet is finding a job where you are alone most of the time, with very limited interaction with other people. Like you I much prefer a work environment with as few people as possible.

[Blackpool Rock]

I'm sorry to hear that your business has failed and no idea what it was but i'm assuming you were able to work pretty much on your own and that contact with others was limited or that you could to an extent choose who you interacted with 

I've always accepted that I needed to work to pay my own way and never had a problem with the concept of work however what i'd say is that for me right from the start it's been made intolerable by the amount of "Fucking Arseholes" i've had to constantly deal with

For many people Covid restrictions were a nightmare as they struggled isolating and wanted / needed to be surrounded by other people to have the day to day interactions, surprisingly a guy I worked with who everyone felt was an abrasive character hated not being in the office 

Conversely I loved Lockdown as it meant I could work from home 3/4 days a week and no longer had to interact with these twats face to face on a daily basis 

Perhaps get another business going having learned from why the previous one went wrong or you'll simply have to soak it up that you now need to answer to some other prick and put up with all manner of shit.

Sorry i'm probably not helping to give you much hope or cheer at the future but just get your head down and remember nothing is forever and you will get through it 

Sounds like you need to get something that is perhaps flexible or hybrid and allows you to work from home some days, alternatively you may need to find something that is fairly solitary, Bramble picking season starts soon   

[robsmith149]

I like working alone that's why I've done quite a few driving jobs.

[RandomGuy99]

So my business has failed and I must re-enter the employment market.

The bit I am dreading most is having to sit in an office with other people with all that entails - I've been by myself for too long.

Anyone else feel like this or have I become a sad old man?

Working on your own must get lonely and stressful as you have nobody to discuss work with and get ideas from.

Working in an office can be good, but it can have some drawbacks too.

[Dickled]

They say hell is other people.
Then again, you may find yourself sharing space with kindred spirits.
I hope it's the latter.

[Blackpool Rock]

Working on your own must get lonely and stressful as you have nobody to discuss work with and get ideas from.

Working in an office can be good, but it can have some drawbacks too.

Nope, you can get on with your own work without some twat rubbishing all your ideas and trying to push their tasks onto you 

[PepeMAGA]

I tend to put my headphones on and listen to music while I'm in a crowded office.
The other option is look for jobs that are based at home or partly based at home

[akauya]

So my business has failed and I must re-enter the employment market.

The bit I am dreading most is having to sit in an office with other people with all that entails - I've been by myself for too long.

Anyone else feel like this or have I become a sad old man?

Sorry to hear that. It's completely natural to feel apprehensive about re-entering an office environment after being your own boss for a long time.

This may be difficult, at the moment - especially how you're feeling, but I'd start by acknowledging and concentrating on your achievements and the skills you've developed running your own business. These are valuable assets in any role. Embrace the change with an open mind, you never know, you might enjoy working with other people.

Also because of/since the pandemic a lot of companies are offering a flexible/hybrid work model. Working at the office and working from home. That will help in easing the transition.

Good luck!

[Romeo Sensini]

Thanks chaps, some good advice there