Hi Ben. Your level of stress is very obvious. One thing that jumped out at me is the level of self-awareness you have. You definitely have the answers you seek within, you just need to gently pull them out.

On the surface it sounds as if the job you are currently in is not what you want to do with your life and that in itself can cause tremendous stress. I was there once too and believe me, when you start doing things that are in alignment with your purpose, you will see life and stress in a different light.

You mentioned that you are going to school to be a web designer. Congratulations, that is awesome! You also mentioned that you dont want to start somewhere else for lower wages. There is a chance that will happen if you decide to switch company’s. Have you considered staying where you are at as a “bridge job” while you finish school? Or while you start a side business? Try to think of the positives of this job- the money, hours, location, etc.. and focus on that until you find a job that you want or build your own business. If you have skill in web design, you can freelance or post “gigs” on a site like Fivver, which is what I used to design my blog and eBook. There are people on there making some nice money and doing good work. That might be something worth looking into.

As for feeling like a fraud, I think that can be related to two things (and likely includes bits of both): first is that this work is not in alignment with what you really want to do. Next is that it could be also related to low self-confidence for this particular skill. Just remember that us creative types (I am a writer and coach)- we will always have our fears and feelings of inadequacy. It comes with the work. it is scary to put it out there, open to criticism and comparison. But, we continue to do it anyway because we have the courage to do so. Do the best in what you do, and have authentic intentions, and your path will unfold in front of you just the way it is intended.

Good luck! Please feel free to check out my blog, mikedileone.com, to see the work of the people I worked with on Fivver (also had my eBook designed on there and the work she did was amazing). Please keep us posted.

Mike