Comments on: Navigating the quarterlife crisis http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:31:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Free MLM Training http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-221828 Free MLM Training Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:46:19 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-221828 I definitely agree with this post. Although I seem to be in the minority of the younger generation who found a career early on, I feel held back by the baby boomers that loom above me. I definitely agree with this post. Although I seem to be in the minority of the younger generation who found a career early on, I feel held back by the baby boomers that loom above me.

]]> By: andri http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-216563 andri Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:49:40 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-216563 in this crisis... i am tring harder to make money online... i think this solution for the lack of job out there in this crisis… i am tring harder to make money online… i think this solution for the lack of job out there

]]> By: Dubzki http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-214241 Dubzki Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:57:46 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-214241 "A soldier forgets his toothache when his leg is blown off" Having a kid may be the right choice for some, but not as a means to avoid stress. "A soldier forgets his toothache when his leg is blown off"

Having a kid may be the right choice for some, but not as a means to avoid stress.

]]> By: U http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-211460 U Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:14:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-211460 I loved reading these! Thank you! I'm 37, and have a B.A. in Psychology which I finished at age 28. After 7 years as an overpaid but miserable bookkeeper the company I worked for closed. That was two years ago. My marriage was a wreck, the job was gone but I had a nice savings (lucky investments). My husband and I separated and I traveled for 6 months mostly backpacker style (England, South America, Canada(Vancouver Island). I painted and drew everyday and really lived my dream. I meditated, spent lots of time in nature and met great people. I volunteered. I taught art at a correctional facility. I walked dogs for the SPCA. I learned basic Spanish. I did a VERY short stint on a biological reserve in Ecuador. My husband and I reconciled. I was absolutely unwilling to return to a job which felt meaningless for me. I considered returning to school for Art Ed but the job prospects seemed very grim. I tutored kids part-time (still do-love it) but the savings is gone and the $ stinks. For the most part my husband has been supporting us. He has given me the gift of time and I will forever be grateful. We sold our house at a loss and are in effect starting over. In the past we were totally over the top with everything (big house/cars/etc) and miserable. We were always stressed. The big house always needed something done (weeding/mowing/painting/roofing/etc). We now live in a very nice 2 bdrm 1500 sqft apt w/ our dog and cat. Simple. While we do want to get our finances in order since we aren't getting any younger overall we are both happier than we were in our "previous life." We both learned gratitude. I recently started massage school part-time. I love it. I plan to begin working part-time towards my RN in Jan and work through both programs concurrently. I plan to keep tutoring and am considering working as a nurse's aide in addition to this as your are helping others, the hours are flexible and you can always find a job. Not glamorous. Not what you expect to do with a B.A. but....who cares :-) While outwardly, my life might appear to be a giant fail (our friends and families are aghast at our current lifestyle), I regret nothing. I only share my story because I hope it might help someone else in some way. Good luck to all...I wish you well.... I loved reading these! Thank you! I'm 37, and have a B.A. in Psychology which I finished at age 28. After 7 years as an overpaid but miserable bookkeeper the company I worked for closed. That was two years ago. My marriage was a wreck, the job was gone but I had a nice savings (lucky investments). My husband and I separated and I traveled for 6 months mostly backpacker style (England, South America, Canada(Vancouver Island).

I painted and drew everyday and really lived my dream. I meditated, spent lots of time in nature and met great people. I volunteered. I taught art at a correctional facility. I walked dogs for the SPCA. I learned basic Spanish. I did a VERY short stint on a biological reserve in Ecuador.

My husband and I reconciled. I was absolutely unwilling to return to a job which felt meaningless for me. I considered returning to school for Art Ed but the job prospects seemed very grim. I tutored kids part-time (still do-love it) but the savings is gone and the $ stinks. For the most part my husband has been supporting us. He has given me the gift of time and I will forever be grateful.

We sold our house at a loss and are in effect starting over. In the past we were totally over the top with everything (big house/cars/etc) and miserable. We were always stressed. The big house always needed something done (weeding/mowing/painting/roofing/etc). We now live in a very nice 2 bdrm 1500 sqft apt w/ our dog and cat. Simple.

While we do want to get our finances in order since we aren't getting any younger overall we are both happier than we were in our "previous life." We both learned gratitude.

I recently started massage school part-time. I love it. I plan to begin working part-time towards my RN in Jan and work through both programs concurrently. I plan to keep tutoring and am considering working as a nurse's aide in addition to this as your are helping others, the hours are flexible and you can always find a job. Not glamorous. Not what you expect to do with a B.A. but….who cares :-)

While outwardly, my life might appear to be a giant fail (our friends and families are aghast at our current lifestyle), I regret nothing.

I only share my story because I hope it might help someone else in some way. Good luck to all…I wish you well….

]]> By: What am I doing with my life? « Search for My Self http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-210633 What am I doing with my life? « Search for My Self Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:59:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-210633 [...] it seems to be a problem widely suffered these days. In fact, I found a great article about the Quarter-life Crisis, which saved my life on one of my “freak-out” days. You see, we are not alone. In fact, I have [...] [...] it seems to be a problem widely suffered these days. In fact, I found a great article about the Quarter-life Crisis, which saved my life on one of my “freak-out” days. You see, we are not alone. In fact, I have [...]

]]> By: alicia http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-209799 alicia Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:44:51 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-209799 This post basically describes me to a "T". I majored in Communication and I have an IT in Information Technology. Sounds like a great combination, right? Or so I thought. I can't help but be discouraged. I haven't been able to get a permanent job since I graduated this summer. I chose Communication because I like contemplating things about the world, writing, "thinking" etc etc. It doesn't get any more vague than that does it? I have no idea what my true "strengths" are and I don't know what industry I would fit into best. Before I graduated, I was dead-set on getting a sparkling new career in IT. But then I realized that I am not very good at hardcore math or logic, and I hate the idea of sitting in a cube writing code all day for some profit/production-crazed boss. I really want something more rewarding and more fulfilling than that. You know, something that will make a positive impact on the world. That goal is about as cliche as it gets for a college grad, probably. I am just patiently waiting for a phone call that will launch me into my next random gig. That's the only thing I can aim for right now. I think people who lived in the past were lucky because they could just inherit the family business (ie. clock-making, brick-laying or whatever). They had skills "built in" to them and didn't have to worry themselves into oblivion trying to pick a career out of the huge multitude of options. This post basically describes me to a "T". I majored in Communication and I have an IT in Information Technology. Sounds like a great combination, right? Or so I thought. I can't help but be discouraged. I haven't been able to get a permanent job since I graduated this summer. I chose Communication because I like contemplating things about the world, writing, "thinking" etc etc. It doesn't get any more vague than that does it? I have no idea what my true "strengths" are and I don't know what industry I would fit into best.

Before I graduated, I was dead-set on getting a sparkling new career in IT. But then I realized that I am not very good at hardcore math or logic, and I hate the idea of sitting in a cube writing code all day for some profit/production-crazed boss. I really want something more rewarding and more fulfilling than that. You know, something that will make a positive impact on the world. That goal is about as cliche as it gets for a college grad, probably.

I am just patiently waiting for a phone call that will launch me into my next random gig. That's the only thing I can aim for right now.

I think people who lived in the past were lucky because they could just inherit the family business (ie. clock-making, brick-laying or whatever). They had skills "built in" to them and didn't have to worry themselves into oblivion trying to pick a career out of the huge multitude of options.

]]> By: Jeffrey http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-209772 Jeffrey Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:20:28 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-209772 I am creeping up on my quarter life crisis (great term) and living the college life right now - without the excessive partying, just study study study - So I am excited about graduating and getting a job that will make me some decent money :) I am creeping up on my quarter life crisis (great term) and living the college life right now – without the excessive partying, just study study study – So I am excited about graduating and getting a job that will make me some decent money :)

]]> By: Brad http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-206764 Brad Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:16:12 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-206764 I am going through my quarter life crisis right now. It is not the most pleasant thing. The best thing one can do is to focus and work hard. As long as one has found what they like to do. If not then narrow your options down and just work on something you like. I am going through my quarter life crisis right now. It is not the most pleasant thing. The best thing one can do is to focus and work hard. As long as one has found what they like to do. If not then narrow your options down and just work on something you like.

]]> By: Jenn http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-205868 Jenn Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:08:47 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-205868 I will also add: Thank you Penelope for your blog. You are a real inspiration for those who are lost, afraid, confused, alone, or unable to say what they really want to say because of all that cultural/societal crap that keeps us in it's confines. Thank you for pushing that crap all over the place and telling it like it is. Or how you think it is. So refreshing. I am a new viewer/reader and will pass your words along to those I know who need a boost, and some kick-you-in-your-ass tough love advice. I will also add: Thank you Penelope for your blog. You are a real inspiration for those who are lost, afraid, confused, alone, or unable to say what they really want to say because of all that cultural/societal crap that keeps us in it's confines. Thank you for pushing that crap all over the place and telling it like it is. Or how you think it is. So refreshing. I am a new viewer/reader and will pass your words along to those I know who need a boost, and some kick-you-in-your-ass tough love advice.

]]> By: Jenn http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/comment-page-2/#comment-205864 Jenn Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:59:14 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/07/31/navigating-the-quarterlife-crisis/#comment-205864 I guess I would say that I am at the "tail-end" of my quarter-life crisis. I am 27 going on 28 and currently unemployed, sort of by choice, but mostly because I am unqualified to do most things other than "stand behind a cash register." And I will add, enter data--YUCK. After University I also thought that I would land that great job, get that lucky break, find that one employer who would be willing to give me a job without the "2+ years of experience needed" that I see everyday. Well, like the statistic I suppose, I didn't find that job, I was never accepted for a position that was in ANY way related to my degree, and so I have gone from job to job trying to "figure it out" and have traveled around the world to avoid the whole situation. So now what am I doing? I am going to back to school to learn a skill. A trade. Something that I can actually say that I can do because I suppose academia no longer provides that (at least for us who pursue Fine Arts or the Humanities. My Engineering boyfriend is doing just great!) What a shame though! As I really do believe I am a better, well-rounded, more considerate and accepting person because of my University education. Anywho, I have finally found out what I want to do (Landscape Architecture), not what I love to do, but what I think I will be good at and enjoy. I wish that I had never been told to "do what you love" because it truly was the albatross around my neck. I guess I would say that I am at the "tail-end" of my quarter-life crisis. I am 27 going on 28 and currently unemployed, sort of by choice, but mostly because I am unqualified to do most things other than "stand behind a cash register." And I will add, enter data–YUCK. After University I also thought that I would land that great job, get that lucky break, find that one employer who would be willing to give me a job without the "2+ years of experience needed" that I see everyday. Well, like the statistic I suppose, I didn't find that job, I was never accepted for a position that was in ANY way related to my degree, and so I have gone from job to job trying to "figure it out" and have traveled around the world to avoid the whole situation. So now what am I doing? I am going to back to school to learn a skill. A trade. Something that I can actually say that I can do because I suppose academia no longer provides that (at least for us who pursue Fine Arts or the Humanities. My Engineering boyfriend is doing just great!) What a shame though! As I really do believe I am a better, well-rounded, more considerate and accepting person because of my University education.
Anywho, I have finally found out what I want to do (Landscape Architecture), not what I love to do, but what I think I will be good at and enjoy. I wish that I had never been told to "do what you love" because it truly was the albatross around my neck.

]]>