Awkward point in life.

[Jules]

I dunno... I think it's a balance.

I enjoy my job, some days it's a lot of fun and some days it sucks. Most days it's in between. I'm definitely not saying get a job you hate, but I also think it can be unrealistic to expect to have that dream job that is always wonderful and always fills you with joy. My job right now puts me in a group I love, it's interesting, I get more volunteer opportunities with it, etc. And it pays for my own house and car and dogs and life.

I hate working when work = my passion. I can't be an artist for a living because it takes away any passion I have for art. It's miserable for me.

I'm much better doing my science-y computer-y thing 40 hours a week then enjoying my many three day weekends. I love working hard on a team and then I LOVE being able to leave it at the office and forget about it until tomorrow.

Brit, I lost a good two years after my mom died. I think that is very normal in the grieving process. I'm just now really feeling like myself

I absolutely agree that I think it should be a balance. I don't LOVE what I do... I don't think I will do this forever... but for now, it is good. It pays well, there is some room for advancement, and for the most part, I really like my co-workers. HOWEVER, for me it was important to look for jobs where I get a good amount of vacation days. Not because I can't wait to get away from work every second of my work day, but when you start working 9-5, 5 days a week for a few years, you WANT to be able to go on vacations. But I think that understanding will come when you are fulltime employed for awhile.

Anyway, I am 30, still thinking about going back to school... I definitely am not where I thought I'd be at 30... but that's where I agree with Fran: it's your life. While you might not be able just to pick up and move, there are things you can change. And even if it's just little things at a time

 

[oakash]

i'm 17, and I've finally realized my plan of action. I'm going to join the armed forces (not sure what branch yet ) and have a blast while doing so

I might go to college while serving, or wait till later, but I know if I go to college next year I will be wasting my time. I'm actually excited to graduate now. I want to start now.

 

[JacksonsMom]

I dunno... I think it's a balance.

I enjoy my job, some days it's a lot of fun and some days it sucks. Most days it's in between. I'm definitely not saying get a job you hate, but I also think it can be unrealistic to expect to have that dream job that is always wonderful and always fills you with joy. My job right now puts me in a group I love, it's interesting, I get more volunteer opportunities with it, etc. And it pays for my own house and car and dogs and life.

I hate working when work = my passion. I can't be an artist for a living because it takes away any passion I have for art. It's miserable for me.

I'm much better doing my science-y computer-y thing 40 hours a week then enjoying my many three day weekends. I love working hard on a team and then I LOVE being able to leave it at the office and forget about it until tomorrow.

Brit, I lost a good two years after my mom died. I think that is very normal in the grieving process. I'm just now really feeling like myself

I agree - I admit, now that the foundation has taken off, it's become a lot more like "work" than fun/passion. I mean, I AM still passionate about it, obviously. But it's harder work. I don't just go to our events and enjoy them anymore, I'm running all over the place and talking with people, and doing a ton of behind the scenes boring computer/letter/input type work. lol. So I know what you mean.

But yeah I'm over looking for a "dream job" especially because I don't even know what that is, but I obviously don't want to be miserable either. I think doing something like medical assistant would be interesting enough for me, I'm not out looking to change the world or anything, but just want something stable and not miserable.

I do agree- I think that's a very normal part of grieving, it does just kinda suck. I think I'd be a bit more ahead in life. I know you went through the same thing with your mom, so I know you understand, it really does just suck...

 

[-bogart-]

Not lulled , but kinda ruttish here.

BUTTTTTTTT

I love it , for the most part , My jobs is challenging and i hate it and get pizzed off at it , I even dread coming to this place sometimes. But reallly it is just a job , something to do to pay the bills so i can do what i really want . Have a family and a home life.

I never had the thought growing up about "dream job" or "Love what you do" , my mom and nan ALWAYS stressed that as long as you make enough to pay the bills and eat then you should be happy. That at late teenhood and early adulthood even into the 20's people change so so so much that they will hardly recognize themselves when they are older.

I try to tell the older boys the same thing , to just get a job to be working and live a little before deciding which path in life to take.

I am so thankful they taught me to feel that away . It helped save my sanity at times and I never felt like i wasn't accomplished enough compared to my friends.

 

[AllieMackie]

Honestly, the happiest people I know have layman's jobs that make them oodles of money and keep them physically fit. Plumbers, carpenters, furnace technicians and the like. They don't adore their jobs, but they enjoy them, it's an honest day's work, and they get paid WELL so they can own cottages and nice houses and go on nice vacations.

I love my job(s), but I fluctuate between having some frivolty money for me-purchases, and having barely enough to pay bills. As much as they love me, they can't pay me as much as I'd like.

 

[Romy]

24 felt really awkward. I couldn't rent a car because of my age? It just felt weird. Really any age right before a transition. At 29 I feel awkward again. Like I'm too old to be a 20-something, but not in my thirties yet.

Also embarking on career changes and stuff, looking back into school. A lot of folks are doing that sort of thing, even folks older than me. My cousin got a business degree when he was 22, but couldn't really ever find a job that used it. He was a bus driver, valet, yard work guy, etc. At 36 he just graduated a mechanical engineering program and just got a job as a plane fabricator for Boeing. I'm super excited for him, and encouraged that age isn't really a barrier for big career changes and getting retrained for stuff.

 

[Tortilla]

I'm around the same age (21), and there was a time last year where I felt uncertain about my future, too. My friends seemed to have it all together, and even though I was in university (I'm now in my fourth year), I was still unsure about what I wanted to do with my life. I felt pretty awkward for sure.

So going on Fran's point, I spontaneously decided to pack up and do a semester in the UK. It ended up being exactly what I needed and more. I was given space from a lot of my major influences (friends, family, sorority sisters), and was able to clear my head and decide for myself what I wanted to do. I got to travel and meet new friends and just grow up in general. All of the loose ends in my life really came together and I came home thoroughly confident with who I am and what I want to do with my life. I now have a solid career plan and I'm excited about the future. It definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things, and I learnt a lot about myself after having those months of 'me' time.

I've kept myself really busy since I've been back- I work 30 hours a week and I'm in university full time. But I LOVE my job (working at a doggy daycare) and I'm passionate about what I study (English and political science). So even though it can be a lot of work, it doesn't always feel like work.