This was an absolutely incredible article. I was drawn into the first paragraph, because I too want two or three or five very opposite lives!
How comforting it is to know that there are people out there with the - almost - same struggles I face day to day. I'm twenty and will have an Associates Degree at the end of this fall, but no major. I have no clue what I'm going to do, and I have this deep fear that I will end up at a 9-5 and be miserable for the rest of my life.
So thank you thank you thank you for this, Caitlyn. I feel your pain and anxiety. But I also feel your hope. And I would love to follow along your journey and be involved in the job searching you mentioned above.
And you're allowed to have multiple purposes and passions and dreams. And even more importantly, you're allowed to change your mind as you grow and evolve in life. <3
I really enjoyed reading your post, Caitlyn. Thank you! I am someone who almost achieved your second vision - I've got kids and chickens on a piece of land, albeit no jazz playing in the background and I wear mostly sweats. However, noone tells you that after becoming a mother, there is a good chance you would not want your old career back, but would still need a sense of achievement outside of raising kids. So would does one do? I am 37 and am career-lost. Seems almost embarrassing to start something from scratch. It gives me endless food for thought during those night-time feedings...
Thank you for this🤎 i became a mother when I was a teen. My daughter is now 13 years old. And we’ve had to do a lot of growing up together. I know how it feels when your identity gets consumed in motherhood. And I know how hard is it to try and discover yourself all over again. I can also resonate with you in feeling embarrassed to start something new. It’s hard to be a beginner when it feels like everyone else around you has it all together. I’m here for you and I’m glad you have children and chickens and a place to call home
I feel so seen by this post!! I haven't even started writing online really (I do academia and write papers and a dissertation) but I can relate to so much.
I resonate deeply with the insights shared in this piece. I recently chose to quit my dream job as an ecologist to help care for a family member. It made me realise how much people, including myself, tie their purpose to work. Working in conservation was highly fulfilling so I initially struggled with feeling untethered to my identity and purpose when I quit. However, purpose is not static or singular and there is much more to life than work. Thank you for articulating this.
It's so easy to allow our career to consume our identity. There are certain professions where I believe this feeling aligns closer with our identity (like healthcare for example). But your life purpose is not predicated by your career choice. And as you mentioned, our purpose(s) ebbs and flows with how we grow and evolve as women. <3
So relatable. Early thirties, burnt out, you described precisely how I’m feeling toward work too - and being 30 with this feeling is a whole other thing. I’d love to hear more about what you’ve found out about career change, jobs, bad jobs, options! Xx
It's like you looked inside my brain and wrote it down. Realizing that work can just be that, work, was a liberating feeling. But somehow your 30s add a different layer to this. And yes to any advice on how to find/create a recession proof career. Would love to read more here.
New reader here and I feel this post so much - I wish you all the best in your job search and am definitely curious how your search on career changes has been going
Relying on writing for sole income has never been my calling.
But also I’m never relying on a W-2 again, it’s such false security. And the requirement in most jobs that you’re not only doing your job but also on the company cheer team as an unpaid extracurricular is so bizarre.
Thanks for sharing this. As someone who's been ill most of my 20s I do feel a bit behind indeed, but I have never allowed myself to indulge in that societal pressure to conform. I am a perfectionist and highly productive, people tell me I have too many talents I could easily capitalise on, but when you don't have your health things can get frustrating. I don't think there is a right way to be an adult or live life, I think we all need to free ourselves from these expectations we put on ourselves and the ones society put on us. I hope your second fantasy comes true. I find myself dreaming of such a scenario. Especially as my life up until now has been full of "action". I need a calmer and more peaceful life. I am getting there slowly.
Hi Caitlyn! I’m 32, and recently moved back in with my parents after leaving a career in LA. The job search these past few months has been brutal. This post helped so much, I feel seen! I want to live in New England with my man and my cats too! Would LOVE to read more on recession proof jobs!!
I’ll give the podcast a listen. Love your substack and will be devouring your posts ❤️🦦
about a month away from entering my mid 20s (i'm also a virgo!!) and i miss when birthdays were exciting. with every year that passes, birthdays have me feeling increasingly anxious, confused & exhausted by the constant mental battle that is craving stability while also having several dream lives that are heavily based in instability (mainly travelling/living abroad)
Relate to this so deeply. I also relate to the disconnect between where I thought I'd be at this age and where I actually am. Despite liking where I am and who I am, I often mourn the life I could have had. It's the Sylvia Plath fig tree analogy all over again. I'm focusing on what is and continuing to sow more of what I like now than picturing how the grass could be greener.
right there with you in the trench. and strongly believe that a job should be easy, if not fulfilling - that’s the trade off surely 🙏
And high paying 😌
YES
It’s the way I identify with this whole post. I would love to hear more of your thoughts on landing a job etc.
Okay, lots and lots of questions on this so I’m crafting a long post about this for you! 🤎
all of this^^ also currently looking so would love to hear your thoughts on landing a high paying job(:
Maybe I’ll write a post with a list of high paying jobs / career changing ideas, etc. 🤎
This was an absolutely incredible article. I was drawn into the first paragraph, because I too want two or three or five very opposite lives!
How comforting it is to know that there are people out there with the - almost - same struggles I face day to day. I'm twenty and will have an Associates Degree at the end of this fall, but no major. I have no clue what I'm going to do, and I have this deep fear that I will end up at a 9-5 and be miserable for the rest of my life.
So thank you thank you thank you for this, Caitlyn. I feel your pain and anxiety. But I also feel your hope. And I would love to follow along your journey and be involved in the job searching you mentioned above.
And you're allowed to have multiple purposes and passions and dreams. And even more importantly, you're allowed to change your mind as you grow and evolve in life. <3
I really enjoyed reading your post, Caitlyn. Thank you! I am someone who almost achieved your second vision - I've got kids and chickens on a piece of land, albeit no jazz playing in the background and I wear mostly sweats. However, noone tells you that after becoming a mother, there is a good chance you would not want your old career back, but would still need a sense of achievement outside of raising kids. So would does one do? I am 37 and am career-lost. Seems almost embarrassing to start something from scratch. It gives me endless food for thought during those night-time feedings...
Thank you for this🤎 i became a mother when I was a teen. My daughter is now 13 years old. And we’ve had to do a lot of growing up together. I know how it feels when your identity gets consumed in motherhood. And I know how hard is it to try and discover yourself all over again. I can also resonate with you in feeling embarrassed to start something new. It’s hard to be a beginner when it feels like everyone else around you has it all together. I’m here for you and I’m glad you have children and chickens and a place to call home
Wow! I'm in awe of young parents. Well done you 👏 and thank you for the supportive message
I feel so seen by this post!! I haven't even started writing online really (I do academia and write papers and a dissertation) but I can relate to so much.
🤎🤎
I resonate deeply with the insights shared in this piece. I recently chose to quit my dream job as an ecologist to help care for a family member. It made me realise how much people, including myself, tie their purpose to work. Working in conservation was highly fulfilling so I initially struggled with feeling untethered to my identity and purpose when I quit. However, purpose is not static or singular and there is much more to life than work. Thank you for articulating this.
It's so easy to allow our career to consume our identity. There are certain professions where I believe this feeling aligns closer with our identity (like healthcare for example). But your life purpose is not predicated by your career choice. And as you mentioned, our purpose(s) ebbs and flows with how we grow and evolve as women. <3
Resonate with this so much!
I’m so glad 🤎🤎🤎
So relatable. Early thirties, burnt out, you described precisely how I’m feeling toward work too - and being 30 with this feeling is a whole other thing. I’d love to hear more about what you’ve found out about career change, jobs, bad jobs, options! Xx
Oh and also a Virgo!!
It's like you looked inside my brain and wrote it down. Realizing that work can just be that, work, was a liberating feeling. But somehow your 30s add a different layer to this. And yes to any advice on how to find/create a recession proof career. Would love to read more here.
New reader here and I feel this post so much - I wish you all the best in your job search and am definitely curious how your search on career changes has been going
Relying on writing for sole income has never been my calling.
But also I’m never relying on a W-2 again, it’s such false security. And the requirement in most jobs that you’re not only doing your job but also on the company cheer team as an unpaid extracurricular is so bizarre.
Thanks for sharing this. As someone who's been ill most of my 20s I do feel a bit behind indeed, but I have never allowed myself to indulge in that societal pressure to conform. I am a perfectionist and highly productive, people tell me I have too many talents I could easily capitalise on, but when you don't have your health things can get frustrating. I don't think there is a right way to be an adult or live life, I think we all need to free ourselves from these expectations we put on ourselves and the ones society put on us. I hope your second fantasy comes true. I find myself dreaming of such a scenario. Especially as my life up until now has been full of "action". I need a calmer and more peaceful life. I am getting there slowly.
Hi Caitlyn! I’m 32, and recently moved back in with my parents after leaving a career in LA. The job search these past few months has been brutal. This post helped so much, I feel seen! I want to live in New England with my man and my cats too! Would LOVE to read more on recession proof jobs!!
I’ll give the podcast a listen. Love your substack and will be devouring your posts ❤️🦦
about a month away from entering my mid 20s (i'm also a virgo!!) and i miss when birthdays were exciting. with every year that passes, birthdays have me feeling increasingly anxious, confused & exhausted by the constant mental battle that is craving stability while also having several dream lives that are heavily based in instability (mainly travelling/living abroad)
Relate to this so deeply. I also relate to the disconnect between where I thought I'd be at this age and where I actually am. Despite liking where I am and who I am, I often mourn the life I could have had. It's the Sylvia Plath fig tree analogy all over again. I'm focusing on what is and continuing to sow more of what I like now than picturing how the grass could be greener.