Should I pursue getting my old job back?
I recently quit a job. While everyone told me I had a great job with great benefits, I think I was stuck in this mentality that I could do better and that I would enjoy working elsewhere. The company is also going through some restructuring so that also played a factor in me leaving. While my job was not guaranteed, leadership hinted that there would be changes to management positions but not positions like mine. They did allow remote work which was a plus.
I got a new job and absolutely hated it from the moment I started. I am talking crying every day on the way to and from work. I told myself that I should stick through it and give it some time. I gave it a month and then decided this was not the job for me. I reached out to my previous employer but they were already about to complete second interviews and said I would need to find another open position and apply if I wanted to come back. I was so upset and realized that if I would've followed my gut right away, I would've had the possibility of getting my old job back.
Now I am applying to many other places, and there are a couple of positions at my previous employer I am considering. However, I am not sure if I should do it. Honestly, it feels embarrassing crawling back to something you left. I also would be in a position handling some more stressful/sad things (think child protection kind of work). Also, the restructuring is still happening so things are up in the air. I also don't know if I would have to start brand new with the remote agreement or if they would allow me to be a remote worker since I was literally there about 1.5 months ago.
I honestly am not sure what to do, but I am miserable in this new job. Should I pursue this??
Posted Jan 14, 2026, 3:09 AM UTC