I'm getting sick of the whole "what should I do with my life" blabbering (and I know everyone else is.. ahem ahem... husband...) so I figured that perhaps thinking about it differently, from another perspective, would be more helpful than just droning on with the same question of "what do I do what do I do...".
Hence my interview. With myself.
On the radio this morning they were talking about a book written by a nurse who has spent her life tending to patients near death. She wrote about the most common regrets people express as they near the end of their lives. Morbid, I know. But, an interesting exercise.
Question 1: If I looked back on my life in 30 years, would I regret anything?
- My marriage? Hell no.
- My family and friends? Definitely not.
- That last minute kind of indulgent trip to the Bahamas only 6 months after our honeymoon? Not one bit.
- Somehow making time to teach a bunch of dance and fitness classes in addition to a full time job and 2hr+ daily commute? Never.
- Leaving a Masters program that was sucking away my soul and not providing any enjoyment? Nope.
- Sitting in a cubicle 40+ hours a week following the standard corporate America pathway to financial/career security as my muscles and creativity and soul shrivel up into flabby lumps: Yes.
I think I'd regret just sitting here for my whole life - for even a large part of my life. Stting in my cubicle and feeling like all of my living happens in a short 48 hour period on the weekend.
Is it a good job? Yes. It's a great job. It's a great company. As far as corporate America goes, I don't think I could find better. They're all about the work/life balance. Great retirement plan. Decent salary. Good benefits. Really great coworkers. Pretty interesting work. I'm good at it - quite good.
But 40+ hours a week? In a cubicle? Just doing this one thing that I'm not really passionate about?
For me, a regret.
3 comments:
Then I think you know what you need to do. Seriously, start looking but when I get back to Jersey, we're going to have a life brainstorming session for you.
Which will involve baking and baked goods. And maybe ice cream too.
I'm crashing this party. I'll bring almond croissants.
Post a Comment