If you enjoyed my post about the confusion of not knowing what you want to do with your life, read here, here and here for similar posts. We are not alone.
I think one of my worst fears is that I will be the 60-year-old working at McDonalds. That if I don't figure it out soon, I won't have enough money for retirement and I will have to work until I die. I CONSTANTLY worry about debt, money and the future, even though logically I KNOW there's nothing I can do, I can't change the future and things happen for a reason. And how could I possibly bring a child into this world if I'm so worried about debt and money? Because people do it all the time. People who are not doing nearly as well as most of us.
I also worry that if I can't figure out what I want to do, that means I must be a horribly boring person. I mean, if I am interesting and fun and intelligent and capable, then I should SURELY figure out what I want to do? Right?
I know I'll figure it out one day, but I am impatient and want to know NOW. I want concrete assurance that I'm not going to be cleaning the toilets at Target in 30 years. I guess all I can do is slow down, stop worrying and enjoy my life as it's happening right now, but that is so much easier said than done.
I think one of my worst fears is that I will be the 60-year-old working at McDonalds. That if I don't figure it out soon, I won't have enough money for retirement and I will have to work until I die. I CONSTANTLY worry about debt, money and the future, even though logically I KNOW there's nothing I can do, I can't change the future and things happen for a reason. And how could I possibly bring a child into this world if I'm so worried about debt and money? Because people do it all the time. People who are not doing nearly as well as most of us.
I also worry that if I can't figure out what I want to do, that means I must be a horribly boring person. I mean, if I am interesting and fun and intelligent and capable, then I should SURELY figure out what I want to do? Right?
I know I'll figure it out one day, but I am impatient and want to know NOW. I want concrete assurance that I'm not going to be cleaning the toilets at Target in 30 years. I guess all I can do is slow down, stop worrying and enjoy my life as it's happening right now, but that is so much easier said than done.
14 Comments:
Sounds like you're at that same point in your life that I am. I wish I could tell you it'll all work out, but I'm still not so sure of that myself. I too am terrified of ending up the 60 year old manager of a Mickey D's. What a waste of potential that would be, but bills don't pay themselves!
you know, that is what sucks about our world right now. people our age have to watch the teenagers and early-20's kids in the press making all this money and having fabulous careers and all that crap.
it's disheartening when you're not at that point but it's IN YOUR FACE all the time. *sigh*
;)
I completely changed careers at age 33. It was scary,and somewhat risky - but having my husband by my side really helped. It was a decsion we made together.
I'm almost 40 and STILL don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I switched careers about 18 months ago and love my new job and all but am not sure it's where I want to end up.
On the silly side, who says that working at McDonald's at 60 is a bad idea? I always liked the part of "American Beauty" where Kevin Spacey decided that he wanted a McJob because he was so tired of the responsibility of life. And then he went and got one.
Oh do I know what you mean. I feel the same way. I think a lot of people do.
LAst yr when we were off for 9+ months...that was partly because I didn't know what to do. I feel all that same stuff. I am 37 & have no idea what i want to do when I grow up.
I hope you get it figured out (and then you can tell me what to do:)
Good luck
Shelly
You know that I feel the same way. I have decided that a job is just a job...it is not who I am.
Nappy Taffy -
I think it is all about perspective. You do have a great life...a great family and friends...and a lot of people would probably look at your life and feel the same way you feel...wishing they had all that you had...(While you wished for better) (ironic and strange... :) )
This "grass is always greener" syndrome is so common in our society.
So, my point is, look on the bright side of things...and smile :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest
Right on sister! I think we all are in the dumps lately.
Well if I move to Austin someday and we cant figure out what we want to do in life atleast we can clean the toilets at target together.
Oh I AM A STRESS MONSTER with money and most of all DEBT! Scared to death of debt!
I still have no idea what I want to do either. I keep waiting for some sign or something to give me a clue.... Still waiting.
What did you want to be when you were little? (My brother played with switches and now he's an electrician. My hubby's parents were too cheap to buy him computer games so he started programming his own and now he programs manufacturing execution systems. My best friend loved to play teacher and now she is one. All of these people are really happy in their fields. Maybe those childhood interests are key?
Maybe what you really want to do is everything. Or nothing. I feel like I don't know what I want to do, so I just do what I can at the moment. Maybe it'll come to me one day. Life isn't about knowing what you want to do, it's about knowing who you are, and having joy in the things you do.
I think that since our generation has a better understanding about the importance of saving for retirement we will probably manage better than the baby boomers (assuming we ever actually make enough to be able to contribute). So many of them didn't save, or didn't count on inflation and longer life expectancy with prolonged illnesses that when they got the gold watch at retirement had no choice but to go to mickey D's. I'm glad you brought this topic up on Friday. It's reassuring to read other people thoughts on it and know that we aren't the only ones going through this. :)
I know what I want to do, but don't know how to get there. Me? I dream of being a stay-at-home mom...but without kids. I want dogs.
And then I'll do lots of charity work or get a part-time job saving the world.
My boyfriend of three years says he's not about to support me, so I guess it's time to contact Oprah. ;)
Well, you can always be a greeter at WalMart in 30 years ;)
Things will work out.
Like everyone else, I know what you mean.
I quit my "safe & well paying job" 2/2/06, and have been living very modestly since then. I am currently temping. it's stressful but I love it. The stress comes from not always knowing if I'll have an assignment when my current one ends. I also serve part-time.
I am a lot happier now than I was when I was working my "safe & well paying job" I realized that life is way too short to not enjoy, or at least be able to tolerate what you're doing.
Ktlee
I found your blog by way of TKW
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