Life has a habit of making us feel dragged down, but perhaps it should be interpreted as the kick in the ass we need to move forward. We've all been there. A job that makes us unhappy. Personal circumstances that make us feel "stuck". Living in a city we despise. Too many expectations placed on us we cannot live up to.
How do you get out of this vicious circle? It's a simple question - with no simple answers.
Most of us are in a position where we must support our family. The job that's been making you miserable must be replaced with one of equal - or better - measure because we need to pay the mortgage and keep food in our family's bellies. Maybe you have the experience required to obtain a new position, but your future employer requires the education to back up your experience. Maybe you want to go into a new field altogether. Which direction do you choose? Maybe you take an on-line course or two, preparing yourself slowly for a change you need. Maybe you're a "head first" kind of person, jump in and hope life will work itself out - because life usually does have a habit of working itself out. Maybe you have an amazing partner who doesn't mind carrying the financial load while you better yourself. So many directions to go - no clear answers.
What about those personal circumstances? Your child is still too young to be left home alone after school, so you've chosen to continue with your part-time job and not take a great, full-time promotion. Or your kids are almost to college. You want to re-model the basement but don't want to dip into a college fund. Maybe your kids are at an age where you are starting to have a bit of freedom again, but you feel guilty for being away. Or your child has a medical condition, stripping your ability to go away for a vacation without first extensively training someone so your child's quality of life is maintained? These are the truly hard questions. After all, we chose to have children; therefore, it is up to us to raise them to the best of our ability. I envy parents who so easily pass their parental responsibilities to others.
My favorite stressor is the expectations placed on us by family and friends. The expectation to be perfect. To show up for every family function, although I'm tired. Or maybe I'd just like to sit and drink a glass of wine with my hubby. Friends who get mad at you because you've been too busy to call for a few weeks.
I think we need to remember one simple rule: life has no happy endings; only happy moments. Hold onto the happy moments. They get you through the rough patches of indecision.
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