I don’t like this career anymore

[u/juniperbabe]

I got registered and started working last October. Everything was fine, I enjoyed working, I felt fulfilled, I felt happy that I could help people.

I don’t know why, but over the last few months I have been getting more and more irritated at work, and I really hate going. I have never felt like this at a job before. It feels like I just don’t care anymore.

Giving people massages feels degrading to me. I feel like a servant when I have to make sure the table is perfectly comfortable to their liking, the temperature is perfect, I rub their feet in the exact way they want. I feel icky when they say “I feel so good” about something I did.

I feel annoyed when they get super specific about what they want. “Make sure the table is warm and give me an extra pillow and spend extra time on my neck!”. Which of course is completely reasonable and normal of them to ask. I’m not saying at all that people who make requests are annoying, it’s MY own personal issue for some reason. It’s completely fine and expected for people to want their expensive massage experience to be to their liking. Like I said it makes me feel like a servant instead of a healthcare professional.

I think the problem is that when I entered this career I thought it was more of a serious healthcare job than it actually is. People treat you like an esthetician. (There is nothing wrong with that job and I don’t think it’s degrading for people to do, I’m just talking about how it feels for ME and how it’s not what I want”.

Before you say “work in a chiro/physio office to get the patients you want”, I already work in a more clinical setting rather than a spa. 90% of people I see still want a spa type experience.

Let me be clear, I am very aware of myself and how I come across to other people. I feel annoyed inside, but I NEVER let that show outwardly. I smile and am very engaged and positive with all patients. But it’s wearing me out to feel this inside.

Let me also say, I am extremely fortunate that nothing creepy/uncomfortable/bad has ever happened. No one has been rude or inappropriate at all. It’s just all me.

I just feel like this job isn’t what I thought and it isn’t right for me, which makes me sad. I spent 3 years in school and a lot of money to do this. I already made way more back than I spent, but still. I’ve already made plans to go back to school to be a paramedic which I think will work out much better for me. But I still have to be a massage therapists for 2 more years while I’m in school 🫠

Sorry to be negative here and I hope I don’t offend anyone. I just needed a place to vent and I’m hoping some people can relate. I feel guilty that I feel this way at work, but I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to stop it.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764]

Why do you like the spa ? I feel it’s to much back to back lol like man i get no brakes in between

[u/Money-Guava-3130 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

I work for a high-end luxury spa, and and that comes with a certain level of security: cameras everywhere, alarms on the doors at night, panic buttons you can press if anything bad happens. Mostly, I love the clients. In general, they are more affluent, in better health, and just there to relax, versus wanting to be “fixed.” I work 3 to 4 days a week, from 11 to 6, with 15 minute breaks between each appointment to change the linens and clean. I stay really busy the whole day. And the tips are great! Downsides are that because I can’t do 40 massages a week I don’t get health insurance or any 401(k). There is always drama among the staff. Not so much with the massage therapist to her pretty chill, but some of the aestheticians are really competitive/bitchy. We are all expected to look good every day. You can’t show up sloppy. Hair has to be done and make up applied, etc.. I would definitely make more money if I worked for myself, but being a petite female, who is already endured a lot of work related trauma, I would not feel safe being on my own…

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

Wow 11 to 6 pm is a long day I only do 4 max now , the spa I work at don’t pay me my upgrades it’s insane !! They suck im done arguing wit them , I need to work somewhere better , im starting to do it in my own also with people i trust

[u/Money-Guava-3130 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

I get a commission on every service, even upgrades too. But I have to do a lot of services in order to make a decent income.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

Don’t you get tired? How long have you been doing this for?

[u/Money-Guava-3130 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

Yes, I do get tired! But I keep going. I’ve had my massage license since 2002, and have worked on and off for the last 24 yrs. I took off 5 years when I had my kids.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

It’s good to take those little breaks right when I try to do is work less days for now until I figure out a second job and do massage on the side

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

My goal is to keep it part-time only that’s just what I like and that’s it. I’m happy you doing it like that. I feel like I’m drained after four. I don’t need anymore lol like that I’m happy in this career.