Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - 23yr old does not want a job but does not want to be broke either, what to do??

Adrianne · 01-05-2009, 06:21 PM

I just wanted to say that I know what you mean about wanting to find a way to do work that you love and that makes a difference but you feel stuck and like it will take too much time, schooling, money, etc. I've been there and am still there. Sometimes I feel like it's an age thing (I'm 25) - like we are too young and haven't had enough time to get the experience and skills to pursue our passions as a viable source of income. It sounds like you may be like me in that you have a few different directions (as far as what you are interested in) that you could go in - unlike some people who know from childhood that they want to be a doctor or a baseball player or whatever. I've recently found a great book called Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher that is kind of like a career counseling book for people that don't necessarily have just one path career wise (she calls these people scanners).

As for what I've done to address this issue in my own life, for now I have the "good enough job" - I am a school bus driver. Doing this earns me enough money and since it's part-time I still have time for pursuing my other interests. It is a job that I enjoy even though it is not what I want to make my career out of. I am also taking steps to pursue other streams of income - I've set up a website and blog where I do intuitive readings and I am working on expanding my artistic output - both pursuits that bring me a lot of joy, use talents and skills I've developed and am developing and make a positive impact.

So, I guess I'm saying I don't think you should feel so bad if you do need to go ahead and take the "good enough job" for now while you develop a dog grooming business and begin doing some graphic design consultation work on the side or pursue any other way you can start to earn some income from your interests.

You will figure this out and you do have value to contribute. Get your basic needs taken care of and then pursue whatever excites you the most whole-heartedly - the path of action that leads to the most excitement and feels the most joyful and inspired is the one that leads to the greatest success.

01-05-2009, 06:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Adrianne Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 29	virtual support hug I just wanted to say that I know what you mean about wanting to find a way to do work that you love and that makes a difference but you feel stuck and like it will take too much time, schooling, money, etc. I've been there and am still there. Sometimes I feel like it's an age thing (I'm 25) - like we are too young and haven't had enough time to get the experience and skills to pursue our passions as a viable source of income. It sounds like you may be like me in that you have a few different directions (as far as what you are interested in) that you could go in - unlike some people who know from childhood that they want to be a doctor or a baseball player or whatever. I've recently found a great book called Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher that is kind of like a career counseling book for people that don't necessarily have just one path career wise (she calls these people scanners). As for what I've done to address this issue in my own life, for now I have the "good enough job" - I am a school bus driver. Doing this earns me enough money and since it's part-time I still have time for pursuing my other interests. It is a job that I enjoy even though it is not what I want to make my career out of. I am also taking steps to pursue other streams of income - I've set up a website and blog where I do intuitive readings and I am working on expanding my artistic output - both pursuits that bring me a lot of joy, use talents and skills I've developed and am developing and make a positive impact. So, I guess I'm saying I don't think you should feel so bad if you do need to go ahead and take the "good enough job" for now while you develop a dog grooming business and begin doing some graphic design consultation work on the side or pursue any other way you can start to earn some income from your interests. You will figure this out and you do have value to contribute. Get your basic needs taken care of and then pursue whatever excites you the most whole-heartedly - the path of action that leads to the most excitement and feels the most joyful and inspired is the one that leads to the greatest success.