job depression

[dominion]

Next week will be the 30th anniversary of starting my first job, aged 17, and have never had a day's unemployment, all of it spent in IT. As things stand right now, the following Friday I'm sacking it off, giving 12 weeks notice and figuring out what to do next. No dependents, no debts, I just don't need the crap that goes with the job anymore. Over the past few months we've gone from 6 people doing my role to just me and a contractor (who is ring fenced to a specific project) - pretty much all contractors have been sacked off so I'm just sweeping up all the crap based on who shouts loudest. I'm happy to work hard and put the extra hours in, but I'm starting to dread the next email / messenger pop-up because all too often it's a last gasp desperate request for me to drop all the other last gasp desperate requests to pick up the latest crisis that's hit the fan through mis-management and bad planning.
It comes to something when the 3 best things about going to work are, 1) Somewhere nice to go for a run, 2) showers on site, 3) a nice real ale pub.

IT is complete bullshit these days, run by bean counters who know the price of everything and the value of nothing, and marketing drones who think everything is new and shiny, when in reality everything is just the same shit we've always had given a new name. I pity anyone who thinks IT a good career anymore.

Time to become a full-time athlete!

[Wheeze]

Gambatte, I empathise with you and salute your self awareness and honesty. There is another option not yet mentioned.
You have said you a super-specialised skill set in a rarified research environment. You also love what you do, its just the contractual obligations that are killing you.Your skills and talents are therefore;
1. Highly valued.
2. Exceptionally rare.
3. Probably mission critical.
4. Unlikely to be easily replaced.

You need to take stock and realise that you have a strong hand of cards. This should allow you to take a brave step. Resign from your employed position and contract yourself back on your terms.
I have a cousin who has done this for years within the oil industry. He is one of the few people in the world that knows how to drill sideways. He has spent time both as an employee and a contractor to the same company so I have observed that this quite possible.

So my advice to you? Take control of your life and become self employed. It may seem scary but, if you are good, it could work. The worst outcome that they don't hire you is not that bad if you are already thinking of leaving.