Am i alone or is there anyone else out there who can't decide what to do with his/her life?

Question

this is really weird. i am not a 20 year old trying to figure out a life plan. i have a 14 year old son, a husband i've seen only once in the past year who is living 1200 miles away, a strong desire to get a divorce and move on with my life, and no idea what type of career i want to shift into. i am currently an insurance broker, but concerned about the economy, the upcoming elections (how they might affect the insurance industry) and the fact that there is little to no fulfillment in this career. (you're constantly chasing after new clients and talking people into things)...the question is: do i go for a "logical," yet not very exciting choice such as nursing or do i go for something more fun like hair design? would i be selling myself short by doing hair? (believe it or not, i have a very high i.q. and potential to do some more "profound" things). you would think that if my i.q. were so great that i wouldn't be asking this question, but here am i---at a loss and feeling like an imbecile.

Answer 1

20 and a 14 year old son... heh...

Break up with that dude and get a new job... also... you're 20! Go further in education to get a better job!

And, IQ isn't everything... if you are lazy and very smart it won't work either... (also IQ isn't everything for philosophers!)

Answer 2

ahahahah

I'm sorry but no matter what the age you are not alone.

You may feel like it but just look online or even on here and you will find several who feel the same way.

You are just in a rut right now.

I hope you get out of it soon.

Think about your life and what makes you happy

focus on that.

Remember you only live once

so don't be afraid to do what you want in the end

good luck :)

Answer 3

I went through this around 10 years ago, in 4 years i put in 3 full time years mond. to frid. study in three separate courses. Then another

year full time study two years into this position i have now.

Without even knowing it i did to uplift some areas of my former

skills , but one thing [study] led to another and then i

got the position  i have in a skilled tech job at out largest

hospital where i live. Now just over 5 years i am well and

truly entrenchedd in something i thought i would never do and

to be honest have never known even existed!

i even have another area in Laboratory work to fall on if i wished.

I think you need to look at what you have done, and study to

uplift towards something maybe you have not considered

before , but may be better pay ! do it now, before you get any

older.   When i started i still had 2 upper high schooll and one

end of primary school student children on my hands too.

My usual form of work was office clerical and sales positions.

Answer 4

you not alone,

i dont know what to do next in my life either and im 27,

but i dont think its necessarily a bad thing,

i need to figure out what i want out of life and

whatever i come to do after all this that'd be the right choice,

Answer 5

The research on job happiness is "really weird:"  hairdressers have about the highest rate of job satisfaction.

Would therefore suggest that if you are able to deal with the rather scientific, objective, and impersonal shtick that modern nursing (felt to be one of the most stressful occupations, btw) requires, that you might be able to combine an R.N. with work in a nursing home, wherein you could devote some time to hairdressing.  Or, one afternoon a week as a volunteer at a nursing home, as a hairdresser.

Would suggest two resources:

1-800-232-6459 http://www.focusonthefamily.com business hours M-F, ask for Counseling dept., give your resource needs; they'll be able to make further suggestions.

Also, it could be enlightening for you if you pick up a used copy of "Chela on the Path," El Morya, at http://www.amazon.com or borders, etc.

Answer 6

I am 41, have a BA in teaching English to 2nd language learners, and an associates in Accounting and Business Admin and you know what I'm doing right now?  TEMPING!  I moved on a whim and have been looking for a steady job now for 5 months with no success in Las Vegas.  I answer phones at different places I'm sent to to earn not enough money to pay what I need to because right now that seems to be all I can land.  It's frustrating to be sure, however, in being in this period of "stasis" I have been able to do a lot of writing which is my passion and I've been able to actually use my mind to think about more than just "what am I gonna make for dinner?"  I guess what I'm trying to say is, I've been put in the place where I am, I believe, to get to know myself again and here's what I discovered.  

Rationally I know that the Business Admin/Accounting jobs pay more than a teaching job does, but you know what?  I love learning, and thinking about things, and being creative, and sharing.  It's who I am and it makes me happy to do these things.  So I applied for a substitute teaching position (because I don't have licensure in NV) and am in the middle of their application process which is lengthy, but ultimately will put me in a job where I can do all the things I love.  I don't for a minute think I'm selling myself short because I'm capable of being an accountant and making more money.  I don't enjoy doing that, so why go through the anguish?  I can continue to write no matter what I do, but I think I'll have much more to write about with experiences as a teacher than as an accountant.

If you truly like nursing and want to do it, then do it.  If you like hairdressing and feel you could be happy and make a decent living doing it, then go with that.  I'm (finally) going with what makes me happy because I've been down the other route and it wasn't "all that."

Answer 7

Couldn't you take some time to do something intellectually stimulating? Like doing a degree/diploma, research, writing (fiction?), voluntary work? that way you would find fulfillment while you continue with your present dull job, and also improve your chances of moving to a more suitable job later.

Answer 8

I feel the same way sometimes and I am in my 30s

Answer 9

No you are not alone.  I think we should organize a support group for people who feel so stinking lost all the time.  I would be there too.  After some of the things I have gone through I dont worry about things I have to do as much anymore.

Just try to do the best we can, what else can we do after all.  

Answer 10

You are not alone... I am over 30, have a high i.q. as well, and work at a gas station.  I go home every night feeling as if I am wasting my life, but have no idea what I want to move on to.  My answer would be, to go into something you have an interest in and will enjoy doing, versus the more "logical" and possibly less satisfying alternative.  I would say that you are probably at a point in your life where you could go on to something you will love and should not have to worry about "wasting" your life.  Anything you go on to, be it nursing, hairdressing, etc, if you feel you have made a difference in some small way to someone else, then you will have made the right choice.

Answer 11

well i think it's normal to find yourself in this situation a few times in life. i'd say it's important to look for job stability just because you have a child to support but it doesn't have to be so draining. i'm sure doing hair could be a great outlet for creativity but remember, your career doesn't have to define you. i always tell people what helped me find my way, just find your passion. once you find it you'll realize it doesn't have to be followed through your career, while you should still work in a stable field and make your money in a conventional way, you could spend your free time like evenings and weekends following a passion in order to accomplish big things, you make a different in the world by dedicated yourself to a cause.. like if you love animals start helping a rescue foundation, or if you love to cook try getting some unique recipes published. if you wan to do something profound just find your passion, think/dream BIG and do all the research you can to discover what it's going to take to make an impact on whatever it is.