I might have chosen the wrong sub, but I hope it will be forgotten if it's the case.
Recently I quit my 5-year job, which was very high density, cut-throat dynamic, corporate greed, “always near bankruptcy but somehow making millions” environment. In that company, I started very young, 22-year-old chemical engineer with college background in core business this company was conducting. They even hired me via one of my professors. Had a lot of good memories, made many frineds, learned a lot, but environment described above really influenced my life, relationships and views on life.
So, I decided to quit just before big promotion (I was supposed to become technical manager for the area), because I sensed that existing managers, or, useless ties as I call them, will be gathering all the credit while I still work overtime with customers, suppliers and half interested colleagues. I was even suspicious if the promotion was real.
Now I work the same job, in a company of 20 or so people (compared to 400), in a coastal town.
One shift, no pressure from boss, no uneducated managers, no petty workers. No calls after work, or after midnight. There are problems, there are issues, but just like everywhere.
Thing is, I cannot get used to this environment. I feel so bored because things are not so hectic all the time. I feel so useless because there is no impossible deadlines for me to meet. There is ono panic regarding customers. Job I used to finish by 11am in my old company is spread through 8h shift. Also, no one cares if I'm late, no one expects me to stay after work hours if there's nothing to do. Sounds like a perfect job; it's far from that, but the reasons are purely technical.
Does anyone have similar experience? A lot of people told me that it takes time to get used to that, especially after constant stress I have been experiencing.
Note: I was hired as an expert, and I work at low tier competition to my previous company.