Job Quitters' Club

[mercuryrising]

Originally Posted by uberinquisitive

Forum member, impaul, has a great blog. Here is his latest article, which is quite inspiring:

Multiple Streams of Income

In it, he extols the virtue of doing many different fields at once - not only is the income more secure (you don't put your eggs in one basket), but you also get to do everything you like. Perfect for scanners, and those who are "unsure" of where to go next.

Thanks for that one uber.

I've been really angry lately and a lot of it I think has to do with my job. I just feel trapped. Or worse, like I'm trapped in a pit of quick sand.

[Calicatt]

Wow, this is the perfect thread for me! And there are such great stories on here. I especially liked the quote: "I'm going to take this sh*t in my life and use it as fertilizer to cultivate a new one."
Hehehe.

Here's my story:
I worked at a bookstore for three years. At first I loved it, and I fit in seamlessly, training new people after only being there a week myself! I became a manager in 10 months! But by the end of the second year there I started to get frustrated with the stupidity of upper management, and the general frustrations of working in retail. I stayed on, partially because I could still see the parts of it I loved (one of them being my co-worker who I am in a serious relationship with and I didn't have any other immediate opportunities. I've always wanted to be a writer, so I applied to go to graduate school for an MFA, in spite of some of my misgivings about the value of that degree. I just needed time to write novels. I got in, but with no free financial aid So I'm taking out a whopping loan, but I quit my job and I'm taking a couple months off before classes begin.

Here's what I've been working on:
-Writing (almost done with chapter 2 of my novel)
-Promoting my writing (entered 5 writing contests, wrote a nonfiction article and query which I've never done before, hopefully it will sell)
-Running every other day (well, more like jogging very slooooowly
- Working on my baby website The Creative Writing Companion: The Writer's Friend
-Reading (lots of short stories, starting Faulkner, finished "His Dark Materials" for fun )
-Spending time with my man ( )
-Getting ready to move (movin' in with my man )
-Looking at PD & organizational websites
-Journaling


My worries:
-Don't want to go into debt!
-Don't want another wage-slave-job!!!!! Noo!!!!
-How can I figure out what else I might be able to make money doing that won't take away from my writing? (honestly I can't really write fiction more than 4 hours a day or I get kooky)
-What talents/skills can I develop that will help me in the long run?
-I know I'm not wasting this time, but is there a way I could use it better?

My gratitudes:
-I don't have to go to work today!!! Or tomorrow! Or the next day!
-I can spend more time by myself, doing what I want to do
-I can develop my projects quickly with consistency
-I can go to social events
-I am free! Freeeeeeeeeeee

Thanks for starting this post and if anyone has any insight into my position, let me know!

[seeker5]

Hi Calicatt, welcome to the Job Quitter's Club!

Your new membership kit is in the mail and should be arriving shortly.

Originally Posted by Calicatt

Wow, this is the perfect thread for me! And there are such great stories on here. I especially liked the quote: "I'm going to take this sh*t in my life and use it as fertilizer to cultivate a new one."
Hehehe.

Hehe, fun quote

Here's my story:

Interesting story! It reminded me of when I once was co-manager of a book store too a number of years ago. I got so fed up with upper management and my co-managers, with them being so reactive, so not-proactive, so petty, that one day I went to work, opened the store, waited until one of the other managers came in, and then handed him my key and walked out. It was such a frustrating experience. It's the only time in my life I quit without giving advance warning.

So I'm taking out a whopping loan, but I quit my job and I'm taking a couple months off before classes begin.

Ah, how much of a loan are you taking? I'm facing starting MBA school in a few weeks...and am scared by having to take a loan out. The loan for the MBA school is about $60K.

My worries:
-Don't want to go into debt!

Same here, I realized today that's a huge real fear from having being broke for so many years, and unless I get over this fear, I won't be able to move on effectively. Whether I go to MBA school, or whether I choose some other paths which means finding my own way to contribute and reach my goals without settling for a job I won't love or enjoy tremendously....then I risk going broke. I realized very clearly this fear is holding me back so I'm also going to have to focus on transcending this fear of going broke so it doesn't hold me back. (Any tip appreciated )

-Don't want another wage-slave-job!!!!! Noo!!!!

Hehe same here, I refuse to work now for a job unless I love it or it fits with my ultimate goals of how I want to contribute and work.

-How can I figure out what else I might be able to make money doing that won't take away from my writing? (honestly I can't really write fiction more than 4 hours a day or I get kooky)

Have you read Steve's Raw Diet update today on his blog? Perhaps a change in diet would help you give more creative energy?

My gratitudes:
-I don't have to go to work today!!! Or tomorrow! Or the next day!

That's something I realized too this last few days that is so nice about my situation! I don't have to do anything I don't want to do right now - There's a lot of things I may not be able to that I'd love, but I don't have to force myself to do some work that I hate or see no point. It feels different, living a life without....forcing.....yourself.....to......take.. ....an......action.......you.....really......do... ...not.....want......to.....take....but.....you... feel.....you.....have......to.....to....please.... ..your.....boss. Avoiding that type of really negative, twisting energy is so nice. I can ask myself now "What would I love to do now", and feel the love energy flow out of me without that constraint of spending 8 hours a day being somewhere my senses were telling me to get out of.

[Michele321]

I quit my job 2 months ago because I just couldn't stand the way my boss treated people anymore. I was in sales, so going out and making him more money when he was constantly ripping people off went sooooooo against my grain of morals and integrity. I gave him 2 weeks notice and he said "Oh, you don't have to, your heart won't be into it, just come in for your exit interview". I couldn't even fathom seeing him one more time so I gave him my exit interview via email. I was restrained but I told him what I thought of him. He took away my log in privileges so fast! He still doesn't get it though.

That's ok, maybe he will after the Labor Board pays him a visit.

So meanwhile, onto new things. I am doing my best to stay positive and not totally freak- I did not have money saved up and my rent is due in a few days and I don't have it. Mostly when I'm trying to go to sleep I panic, but then I wake up and it's a new day. Standing on principle is the only way to be, and the old job was taking me to a dark, dark place that I didn't want to be.

Michele

[babssoft]

Hello job quitters--
I've been at my current job for almost 3 years now, and I've been miserable there for the past year. Through the help of friends, Steve's posts, and a life coach I've finally decided to quit. I haven't given my notice yet, but I am trying to put together a plan.

In the process, I am realizing that I have a huge mental block when it comes to finances. Every time I think about quitting, the financial spook-parade comes out. I'd love to bust through this block-- any reading recommendations? It really frustrates me to no end-- although I have enough money saved to get me through a few months, and feel basically confident and positive, I continually let money stand in between me and the rest of my life. This has been a serious problem for years now-- obviously, it thwarts me so much I was willing to exchange my soul for a year of misery, until I realized I wasn't living my life at all-- I was hooked up to an IV machine called "work". I believe most of this stems from a brief period in my life where I was practically destitute; being poor was one of the worst experiences of my life.

Anyway, I've gotten to the point where the gears of inertia that used to pull me through are grinding me to a pulp, and therefore, quitting is imminent.

So I have some heavy oppositions to work out here, and being at odds with myself is totally exhausting me and delaying plans even further. I know there is a lot of resistance here and I keep wondering, is trusting the universe the same as trusting yourself?

Also, can anyone refer me to info on freelancing from home? I really HATE office politics and I'd love to never work in an office again. I'm a musician and do my best work very late at night-- never ever been a morning person so I want to commit to flexibility in a next job. I recently had a look at the "Go Freelance" website, but I wasn't sure which jobs were scams and which were legit.

[esmari]

Yes, I quit my very lucrative but very depressing job nearly 10 months ago.

I've spent the time since completing another degree and to get my health back on track.

Thing is, I have not done anything since to generate income for the future. I may have to start looking for another job!

Esmari

[C33]

I didn't so much quit my job as I quitted the job market.

I quit my crap money temp job 2 months ago,after waiting for the position to turn permanent. I waited 4 months after I formally interviewed.

I sent a memo detailing all the things I had done and the positive changes I expected to make once hired.I did everything the " get that job bibles" tell you to do.I even received chocolates from a happy client. No replies.

I will post a more detailed description in a thread in the financial section about the true costs of getting a job for the sake of security.

However menial the position was, it was perfect for me because I had no stress, could spend a lot of time on the net or reading, loved my coworkers and the high profile clients and I could carve some time after work to dedicate myself to my bliss: take classes, etc...

Against my better judgement: I looked for a better paying job.The recruitment agencies I interviewed with raved about my "unusual" c.v , sent it for various positions, still I didn't get any interview with the companies who were hiring.

I realized that I had put my financial well being under the control of others. I had to change my " locus of control". Locus of control - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I also realized that my circle of friends back home was contributing to my poor thinking. They kept on asking me when I will get a job, when did I think I would have a job. ..etc...It made me feel so stressed that I stopped calling them or emailing them.They had no solutions, no reference to offer or anything that could help me getting a job. I had no references other than the "job-think" crowd and I was going crazy.

Now I am back in my hometown, I own my home so I am rent free. I have made the choice to be and stay alone. I have been alone every day for the past 2 weeks. I have decided to stop putting energy in friendships that are going nowhere. I have also cut on spending money on things that do not bring money in. I invested in a digital camera so I could take pictures of the things I want to sell.

I have given myself 2 months to make money selling possessions, and find a way to make money selling my talent and not my soul. I think that I was going the wrong way by trying to wrap my artistic life around a job. I am counting my blessings that I have enough resources for the next 3 months.

[babssoft]

Originally Posted by C33

I have given myself 2 months to make money selling possessions, and find a way to make money selling my talent and not my soul. I think that I was going the wrong way by trying to wrap my artistic life around a job. I am counting my blessings that I have enough resources for the next 3 months.

Hi C33- sounds like we're in a similar boat. I just gave my notice today after a year of misery at work-- I have a month left here! Last night was the first night in months that I had happy dreams and even woke up feeling kind of jolted.

Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing your developments/ ideas. I'd really like to nurture my artistic life much more from here on out-- in fact, I am committed to it. Basically, there's no turning back for me. I'm going to do pretty much whatever it takes to make my life work for me, even if it means a transition.

[Dannyboy1]

My wife's in school full time and our 3 year old's preschool is $1500 per month.

[openyourize]

here are some lyrics to a song called "The Handshake" by MGMT. I say its about getting a job.

I just shook the handshake
I just sealed the deal
I'll try not to let them
Take everything they can steal
People always told me
Don't forget your roots
I know I can feel them underneath my leather boots

You toss all the mornings lost to the clouds and you watch it go
Your fairweather friends on a parachute binge get lost when the wind blows
The handshake's stuck on the tip of my tongue
It tastes like death but it looks like fun

I was a loner
I was just waiting by myself
When you, warped temptress
Rose to bring me happiness and wealth
Black tears, black smile, black credit cards and shoes
You can call all the people you want
But it's you who's being used

Under your black eyes, honey
Right beneath your nose
A curse on all creation
Every single thing you know
White smoke, white light, white marble on the floor
It would only take a few seconds of darkness to figure out what's in store
Little girl

You convince yourself that you want it, but you don't know
You keep trying to wash the blood from your hands, but it won't go
We're gonna keep you on the run

We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue

[babssoft]

hey openyourize, I thought I recognized that name (MGMT)-- some friends of mine just played their afterparty at Union Pool in Brooklyn.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by babssoft

just gave my notice today after a year of misery at work-- I have a month left here!

Congrats!

[seeker5]

Came across a wonderful line from watching the movie "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly with Clint Eastwood." and seemed so highly releveant to this thread:

"If you work for a living, why do you kill yourself working?"

[C33]

Originally Posted by babssoft

Hi C33- sounds like we're in a similar boat. I just gave my notice today after a year of misery at work-- I have a month left here! Last night was the first night in months that I had happy dreams and even woke up feeling kind of jolted.

Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing your developments/ ideas. I'd really like to nurture my artistic life much more from here on out-- in fact, I am committed to it. Basically, there's no turning back for me. I'm going to do pretty much whatever it takes to make my life work for me, even if it means a transition.

Babssoft:
I would be happy to hear about positive steps towards making your creative dreams come true.

People who are successful artists usually think of themselves as artists, regardless of what they do to make money.

They do not give their job title as a reply to "what do you do?" Successful artists just state: I'm a painter, actor, singer, writer...whether they are making money at it, or not.

It also gives them the opportunity to spice up their introduction with the pitch of a new project.

Not surprisingly,these people are always the one taking consistent actions towards their artistic goals :this is " what they do".

Successful artists, in general,seem to have low tolerance for other people's doubts about the success of their endeavors as well as no tolerance for self-doubt.

They walk, breathe and talk like an artist.

The baby steps I have taken so far are:

-To have absolutely no apologies and no explanations for my "un-job-edness".Unfortunately, I am not in the most progressive, open-minded town, and people often ask how I make money... I usually start giving explanations...Now the standard reply is: I take care of myself.

-No excusing myself for being fortunate to be able to follow my bliss and make my own way for the next few months. It means refusing to be guilt-tripped by seamingly less fortunate friends.

-Stopping wearing the business clothes and supposedly "age-appropriate" clothing ( read:" I agree with the world that I'm over-the -hill and renounce pigtails, glitter and bright colors for the rest of my days." Hell no!I'll be the elderly lady with the Hello Kitty cane!!!!).
Already, I "look"like myself again and have fallen out of love with beige and grey.Also, in my ultra-conservative small town, people have started to look at me with dagger in their eyes. It's a good sign!

-Constantly thinking about ways of making money and taking action on those ideas, instead of constanly worrying about what I will do if I end up broke, jobless and destitute.

I am fortunate that my only supportive friend is back in town from work and we are being each other's cheerleader. We have taken actions by putting stuff for sale on the web. I already sold one item...and people have expressed interest for other items.

[ellie]

I just wanted to update you all again. I'm really loving working with children. What I am enjoying is that same connection that I had as a child with children. It's still there and it's very strong and it makes me feel at one with the world. I must be a lot happier as my friends and family say, "you seem so much happier than we have seen you in a long time".

Of course there are times when I'm like agghhh! But overall I love those moments when I can be connecting with a child and it's all just so rewarding. Maybe it's because I'm quite an innocent person by nature and children are too? Who knows, but whatever it is I feel great!

Now I think I have time to really concentrate on improving my confidence in a few areas. I also have to say I feel a lot more connected with the world and my mind. I think I'm going to start working on ways to improve my thought patterns and how I let negativity effect me.

[seeker5]

Ellie, thanks for the update! That's really wonderful

[ar81]

Originally Posted by Michele321

I quit my job 2 months ago because I just couldn't stand the way my boss treated people anymore. I was in sales, so going out and making him more money when he was constantly ripping people off went sooooooo against my grain of morals and integrity. I gave him 2 weeks notice and he said "Oh, you don't have to, your heart won't be into it, just come in for your exit interview". I couldn't even fathom seeing him one more time so I gave him my exit interview via email. I was restrained but I told him what I thought of him. He took away my log in privileges so fast! He still doesn't get it though.

That's ok, maybe he will after the Labor Board pays him a visit.

So meanwhile, onto new things. I am doing my best to stay positive and not totally freak- I did not have money saved up and my rent is due in a few days and I don't have it. Mostly when I'm trying to go to sleep I panic, but then I wake up and it's a new day. Standing on principle is the only way to be, and the old job was taking me to a dark, dark place that I didn't want to be.

Michele

There will be a time when you will be a customer of his company or his boss or you will be in a position of power where you will not be insignificat for him anymore. He might have to eat his words and "bow" before you somehow.
Life is funny sometimes. Be prepared for that.

I have seen plenty of cases.

Facundo Cabral, a singer in spanish used to sing "pobrecito mi patrón, piensa que el pobre soy yo" (poor little boss, he thinks I am the poor)

[bttrcupim]

Seeker5:
Have you moved to Las Vegas yet? I live in Las Vegas and would really like to talk with you a little more. You mentioned that you would like to work with Non-Profits.

I believe I may have the perfect opportunity for you. This opportuniy is not a "traditional job" and from what I have read it sounds perfect for you.

I would love to tell you a little more about it. If you are interested in more info, please let me know. You can email me at adestinationtvl@cox.net.

Hope to hear from you soon!

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by bttrcupim

Seeker5:
Have you moved to Las Vegas yet?

Yup. Just sent you an email.

[sbdiane]

I quit my job in March. I was working for a good company and a good boss and I worked with a lot of really great people. But the work was boring, the physical environment was extremely uncomfortable (very cold and dark) and I had a co-worker who I truly believed was a sociopath and he was influential enough over me that I had wanted to leave the job within a few days after I got it, but hung in there for over a year hoping things would improve.

But aside from the job itself, I was also no longer happy with the work. I had worked extremely hard to make a career change into the work I was doing. I had been doing the work for 8 years and had only been at this company for a little over a year. Getting the job indicated a measure of my success in this field. If I had worked so hard to get here, why was I unhappy?

Anyway, I had always wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and I realized I had a lot of money saved up and could afford to go so I quit. It was magical to quit because I felt like I was following a calling and everything fell into place.

Now I am home after having hiked only 1500 miles of the trail. The trail is 2650 miles long. My feet couldn't go any further. So now I have to figure out what to do next. What else could I do that involves walking, nature, flowers, being active, being outdoors, putting my feet on the earth instead of on pavement and friendly, non-competitive people?

To try to answer that I signed up for a volunteer job working in a garden. It turned out to be a food garden so what a find because I get paid in fruit and vegetables! I sometimes think I might enjoy working in horticulture somehow, but fear that I would not be able to survive the low pay and that I am probably not strong enough to do it all day every day. My hope is the volunteer job will open myself up to things I hadn't thought of.

I also found out about an organization that hosts monthly networking events for people who work with the environment so I figured I would go and see if I could meet people. I don't work with the environment and definitely don't like the kinds of jobs I see advertised, but maybe my understanding of what is possible is too limited. I will go with an open mind and see if it leads me anywhere.

I kept a blog while I hiked the trail and several people said I should turn it into a book. So I'm working on combining my blog posts and the pen and paper journal I kept on the trail into a book. I don't know if my writing skills are good enough to call myself a writer, so I'm writing it as a self-published book.

Other than that, I'm not sure what to do. I had planned before I left the hike to maybe get a part-time job just to make a little money. Maybe make coffee or sweep up somewhere or something really low-key.

But I have a mental block about getting a part-time job. As much as I really would rather be doing something mindless, meaningless and physical, I can't seem to bring myself to take a job earning so little money. I hate to be a money snob, but I feel my time is worth more than $10 an hour or whatever they pay. But I just don't want to work full time for some company ever again. I think partially it's fear of being judged if I take a low-paying job.

So, I'm a little stuck right now but I have a little time before my money runs out (Where did I get it? I saved it for the last 10 years by living way below my income and never going into debt). I'm trying not to let fear take over. I'm trying not to let people who are jealous of my freedom get me down, but it is hard to defend not working, or not living up to my potential.

[ellie]

Ok, so while I'm trying to keep it honest, I have to say my feelings about working full-time as a kinder teacher is kind of confused. So maybe you can all help me?

It's so funny, I think I will be always searching for my calling. Is it always going to be the case that once I have it, I want something else? ha ha

Ok so I've working with children for a little over a month. I do enjoy it, I don't love all aspects of my role, but then I again I have to remember that eventually my role wont be a childcare assistant, that as a kinder teacher I will be working more with children and planning activities and providing it to them, rather than doing cleaning, organising lunches (which as you may know from my other thread is not my forte), doing nappies (boring). I aslo wont be working with babies, just 3-4 year old which is the age group I much prefer. I will have my own assistants which will do the job I am doing now. I feel at times like a %$$## kicker in this role!!!

The thing is I have started to teach at a uni, Flash and I love it. I love the technical side of things, as well as interacting with adults that really want to learn. I also love the idea of me teaching them, is helping them learn a new skill. I also like the organising and providing them with information, that exceeds what they need. I think the course I provide is pretty kick arse and they are getting so much more for their money. In additon, I am in charge, no one is telling me what to do, such as clean tables, get out the luches etc. It's great, I walk out of the class, feeling on top of the world.

Back to childcare - I still do get to interact with children, play with them etc and I love that but I'm just worried I will miss the techincal aspect. I love problem solving difficult applications and finding a solution. I get a kick out of it.

I have just seen a job advertised at a uni, that is after my skills and because I now have a bit of experience teaching I think I would at least get an interview. I keep thinking, no I should just stay in childcare for a little longer, so I get the expereince on my resume and it doesn't look like I give-up on things too quickly. If I applied for the uni job and get it , I reckon I would forget about getting my teaching degree for a number of years.

I have to say at the moment I have been happier than I have been in a long time, so should I keep things as they are, or take a leap? I do like coming home after 2'oclock in the afternoon in childcare and do things that I love to do, like go for a walk, work on my own things and I still get to teach a few days a week. So it's a nice mix. I would lose all this if I applied for a full-time job in teaching.

I also think working in childcare, has enabled to learn to get a bit of a backbone and speak-out. I tend to be quite fragile and scared to speak my mind, but at times have to be tough, raise your voice, so that the children listen to you. I really think this is helping me with my confidence (without actually realising it). I still think I need to develop in this area.

So what do you think?

[sbdiane]

Don't adult learning classes happen at night and kindergarden during the day? Can you do both and see what you like best after a while? I would think that doing both would be nice because being with children all the time might make some people want to spend time with adults for a while.

[mercuryrising]

Just out of curiosity, Ellie, what are you teaching at the uni level?

You know, no one in the states calls it uni.

It sounds like there are positives and negatives on both sides. Generally, when I find that I could go either way I wait for more clarity on the decision.

IMO, I would go for the university position. There are many women at the grade school level and not so many at the university level (I don't know what it's like there, but that's how it is here). Working with young children, you would be one among many. At the university level, you would stand out in a good way. And you sound empowered by the uni position. That's just my opinion, of course.

[Pegasus]

Originally Posted by ellie

...It's so funny, I think I will be always searching for my calling. Is it always going to be the case that once I have it, I want something else? ha ha
...
The thing is I have started to teach at a uni, Flash and I love it. I love the technical side of things, as well as interacting with adults that really want to learn. I also love the idea of me teaching them, is helping them learn a new skill. I also like the organising and providing them with information, that exceeds what they need. I think the course I provide is pretty kick arse and they are getting so much more for their money. In additon, I am in charge, no one is telling me what to do, such as clean tables, get out the luches etc. It's great, I walk out of the class, feeling on top of the world.
...
I keep thinking, no I should just stay in childcare for a little longer, so I get the expereince on my resume and it doesn't look like I give-up on things too quickly. If I applied for the uni job and get it , I reckon I would forget about getting my teaching degree for a number of years.

I have to say at the moment I have been happier than I have been in a long time, so should I keep things as they are, or take a leap?
...
I also think working in childcare, has enabled to learn to get a bit of a backbone and speak-out. I tend to be quite fragile and scared to speak my mind, but at times have to be tough, raise your voice, so that the children listen to you. I really think this is helping me with my confidence (without actually realising it). I still think I need to develop in this area. ...

Hi, Ellie!

I have been following your posts, and while you are still having "challenges," notice that they are a new set of challenges that you can take on at a higher level than before. Definite progress!

Usually the first three months of a job is considered a trial period, so I would not be too concerned about having a jobhopper resume or giving up on things too easily. You deserve the best!

However, most people grow and learn from their jobs more gradually than they let on. People make it sound like you have to love a new job instantly or drop it. Not so! If you are like me, you might need a little time to adjust to the new routine and the people. Once the endorphins wear off after that initial honeymoon phase, figure out if the job fits you, if not immediately at least in the near future.

Of course I have my own opinion -- I think two part-time jobs will keep you from burning out. If you go for the university position (You have yet to reveal to us what it entails.), not only is it a gamble but there is also a greater chance of your being taken away from other goals you have such as getting your teaching degree. As Steve suggested in a previous blog post, base the decision not on what would make you happier, but on what you would like to experience. Then it's a win regardless of how it turns out. Best of luck!

[ellie]

Thanks everyone for your wise words. It's just great to listen to other perspectives. I suppose I'm more a tutor at uni, I teach programs such as Flash, After Effects, Photoshop etc I do have one class that is more about helping students work on individual assignments. I'm lucky enough that most of my classes are in the late afternoon and I also teach on a Saturday.

The job advertised would be probably a mixture of tutorial works, such as photoshop, flash etc and maybe a few concept classes, where you're helping students with developing their ideas, but it would be a full-time job.

Hmmm, yes I have to say that probably the honeymoon period in childcare has kicked in or out. Don't get me wrong I do still enjoy it. Today was great, because I came up with some creative ways to entertain the children and the staff were very impressed - ha ha! I guess the thing is sometimes you feel like your just repeating a task over and over again. So you go to the playdoh table and say, what are you making? And of course it's a cake, just like yesterday and the day before - he he! Can't they make something like spaghetti bolognese

I think I will stick at childcare for a while, so I get myself sorted in other areas. Plus there might be an opportunity to work more hours at my current uni that I am teaching at and well...I really like it there.

I guess at times I really miss the technical/creative aspects of things, like I miss editing video. I had to edit some videos for some online tutorials the other day and I was like "aawwww I miss doing this".

Hmmm well it's an interesting journey, one I will keep updating you with.

[sbdiane]

After I quit my job I spent my time preparing for my long-distance hike. Then I spent 3 months doing it. I've been home now for almost 4 weeks. It's been nice recovering, but now I'm wanting to do something. Unfortunately, I don't know what to do! I would like to live my life in a constant state of being quit from a job, but I also want to work, if that makes any sense. I like having a goal to work towards, but having jobs never feel like that. They feel more like things that never end, no progress, just do again today what you did yesterday. I want to find another way to go through life.

[Calicatt]

Have now been "out of a job" for months and LOVING IT still!

Things I've done so far:

Added tons of new content to my website: http://www.creative-writing-companion.com including fleshing out the Time management section. But still feel as though I am only 1/2% "done"...so much more to add!

Wrote 2 & 1/2 chapters of novel (and got a lot of thinking done on it)

Ate lots of farmers market heirloom tomatoes

Grew friendships

Moved

Read many good books

Relaxed!!

[Bitsy]

It's nice to see so many people joining this thread and setting out to find a job that comes naturally to them. Congratulations

I thought I should mention a new development, only because of the nature of it. One thing I have been working on is a website. I have been waiting and creating oodles of content for the phantom website--waiting for someone willing to make the website for me or at least to help me. I was down to resorting to Site Build It!, which, it seemed, didn't really suit what I wanted, when...last week, I went back to my mom's to meet this guy who allegedly kept asking my mom if he can make her a website.

What I found when I met this man (a web designer by profession) was above and beyond any expectation I had. I showed him a design and plan of how I wanted my website, I sent him a link to a rough draft of it, and after he saw what I wanted to do with my site, not only did he agree to do it for me, he actually "got" what I wanted to do and he wanted to make it happen. He said many amazing things--he said he would "sponsor" me, that is, not require any payment from me, because, as he put it, it is his mission to make sure that content like mine gets out into the world. He told me ways to market my site, ways for me to "get myself out there" so people would visit my site and he was sincere in his motive; he actually wanted my site to be prosperous, as if he had a personal stake in it, just like I did.

He was so impressed with my intentions with my site that I told him my ultimate goal with the site, which has nothing to do with the site directly, and he was even more impressed, because it is such an ambitious goal and he said he looks for people with altruistic goals that are so much bigger than they are, because he thinks bigger than himself too and he wants to help people like that.

In a nutshell, this is exactly the kind of person I had ideally hoped to find. Someone with the skill to help me who would be as enthusiastic about my mission as I am and who would take it as seriously as I do. Someone who saw and felt my vision the same way I did

Having said that, though, financially things are coming down to the wire for me...not sure what I'll do about that yet...

[ellie]

I'm back, as I said I would update post an update every so often.

So, things are still going well. My desire to apply for teaching has weened off quite a bit, at first I was upset because I wanted this clearly defined career, but like everything with me, nothing is clear cut. In fact that's my personality, I don't really follow the pack, if you tell me to one thing I'll do the other - ha ha!

What I have found is that I still love working in multimedia and at the moment I am lucky (or I think I have forced myself) to be surrounded by the right people and environment (aka freelancing from home and teaching). I've really started to realise I love nutting things out and with multimedia there is a lot of nutting out. So I really want to try and develop my programming skills, especially in action scripting and maybe not get so much into the design side of things. Maybe I would of been better at a programmer who knows, but I'm in between a creative and techie.

Anyway, don't get me wrong I love children, but the job itself is a bit boring a repedative, not challenging enough for me. I think I'm really good with children and maybe it would be different working as an actual kinder teacher. I'm not sure?

But this weekend I finally dragged out my sketchbook and brought one of my children's characters back to life and I really loved the process. So I think I am going to try and develop my own online kids site, interactive storytelling. I've got the design skills, love working with characters, now how to use technology and now have a much better understanding of what children like. Well it will just be kind of for fun, nothing too serious.

So we will see what happens in the future, will be interesting.

Still happy though and surrounded by people that don't give me the irrits!

[seeker5]

Thanks for the update Ellie! That was interesting, to hear about your self-discovery as you go through this process. Keep us updated.