It's like the weather knows I can't go home yet

I've written the same post a dozen times today and it always comes out overly angsty and wistful, even for me. It's about work and careers and how everyone I know seems like they're in some kind of What Will We Be When We Grow Up holding tank, waiting for a magic net to scoop us out. Did I mention we are in our mid-twenties? An age where, in the Days of Yore, people were leathery and callused and tilled the land with their fourteen children? Nowadays, in the era of "taking time off to backpack through Europe" and American Pop Song 101 are we not all spoiled angsty wistful weenies?

Okay not everyone. Props to my brand new pharmacist friends who now have spanking new Real Jobs and paychecks to boot. Yay for Sean who must make me a pretty pink masthead so that one day, when he is the most famous graphic designer in the world, I can say "HE designed MY masthead." Happy snaps for Katharine Hepburn who's going to get smarter in her PhD. program and for my sister Becca, though how she thinks she's going to keep up her shoe habit on a teacher's pittance is beyond me. Hmm. It appears some of you have, like, actual careers.

But it's that time of year when people graduate and move and even though it's the middle of the year it's really the end of the year and everyone's evaluating Where They Are.

For the most part, I love Where I Am. (Metaphorically speaking. Right now where I am, there is thunder and lightning and I am wearing a skirt and flip flops.) Yes. Where I am? No complaints. (Except for the horrendous grammar.) But I've read this about a dozen times now and maybe that's excessive, I don't know, but it's so inspiring. I don't know if Steve Jobs is someone I want to emulate what with the dropping out and the getting fired, but reading this makes you want to throw down your mouse, leap on top of your office-issue desk and proclaim "I WAS MADE TO SEW CLOTHES FOR ALBANIAN ORPHANS!" (or, you know, whatever floats your boat), then boldly slam the door behind you, head held high because you are Pursuing Your Dream.

This is my problem: 1. Determine my Dream. 2. Do it.

Quite possibly my problem is 3. Stop being such a wuss about pursuing my dream because I'm too afraid I won't be able to pull it off. Better to not try than fail! (Also, stop being the person who writes angsty wistful posts about Lack of Purpose and Acceptance of Mediocrity on her website which only invites forceful emailed rebuttals from one's father who believes nearly all experience is good experience. Actually, often when I'm in need of encouragement, I think of what my dad said when I told him about being anxious, having actually been diagnosed with nervous wreckitude. Which was: "Well, creative people all need a neurosis, right?" Something to that effect. There's profundity somewhere in there. Maybe even a compliment.)

Anyway. If you would like to join my support group, shoot me an email. Right now we're examining whether or not you can work only on alternate Saturdays and still pay your mortgage.

Comments

[Young]

kudos to you Maggie :) Wishing you all the best and looking forward to seeing you guys out here :)