I’m finding it hard to believe that I have already been home for a month. It’s as if the months from January through June never existed — like they fell in some black hole for time — and I’m right back where I left off. I’m already feeling discouraged in my search for a new full-time job and yearning to just get away and traipse across the globe…again. The only problem this time around is that with a little bit of money I know it’s possible, making the wait period between being home and traveling again that much more difficult.
I guess I’m doing pretty well. I’m keeping myself busy by making sure I see the people I love and missed most and I’m working hard to rekindle and cultivate those relationships that may have slipped through the cracks while I was away. To keep from feelings of complacency, I make sure I have something big to look forward to each week, be it a meet-up in New York with some Bangkok friends, a Mets game or concert (one of the perks of not blowing all your money), a trip to Long Island for a night out with my best friends or an afternoon out at the mall with my mom. I cut my hair drastically to substitute as a change of scenery (the scene’s now different when I look in the mirror!) and I’m headed to California for a week to visit some friends who are recently engaged.
Sneak peak at new hair and the boredom of a Saturday evening shift.
Everything sounds great, right?
Well, I’m back to working various odd jobs and I’m finding it’s hard to do a job (even if it’s part time) when you just don’t love what you’re doing. I found that to be true with my job as an editorial assistant and it’s even more true when I’m sitting behind a reception desk on a Thursday at 5:30 a.m. as people check into a gym. It’s difficult to put your heart into something that, realistically, isn’t even going to go on a resume.
…I don’t think professional phone answerer is going to be a bullet under the Skills section on my resume, unless of course I was applying to be a modern-day Joan Holloway…
But, you do what you have to in order to work toward the next major goal. The mind-numbing hours every early weekday and weekend morning will turn into paychecks that will eventually be the building blocks toward my next grand adventure. And knowing that it is possible to go on these adventures makes the prospect of saving to leave for one again even more exciting. In the meantime, I’m going to continue looking for a full-time job that will keep me both stimulated and engaged; something I enjoy and look forward to doing every day.
I’m directing my attention toward jobs in global and/or social nonprofits and communications. I’m thinking about taking the Foreign Service Officer exam in October and I’m constantly fascinated by young, innovative organizations like Do Something or the Candies Foundation and the older, yet continually growing Committee to Protect Journalists, UNICEF and the UNHCR. My recent trip help cleared a lot of things up for me in careerland and I know now that journalism isn’t my only answer, though certainly it is still one of them.
How do you balance doing something you don’t love and keep from getting those awful feelings of complacency? Let’s chat in the comments!
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The trip always answers questions, but also provides you with MORE questions and challenges when you get back. I think you’re struggling with the things alot of long term travelers have to come face: What’s next?
For some they liked what they were doing and they’re happy get back to whatever that is. For many, travel has broadened the mind and opened them up to the possibilities. It can be easy to be distracted because there are so many options. That may be the biggest challenge of all.
Yep! We’re in the same boat. It can be pretty discouraging. Can’t believe it’s been a month since I was laid off.
@Brian – I was very well aware of the fact that I would come home and almost immediately itch for me. I’m surprised it took me as long as it did for the side effects of being home to really sink in. It’s not a matter of what’s next for me, but rather WHERE is next and how soon can I leave?
@Candice – I feel your pain, honey, for certain. Being laid off’s not pretty; it’s full of self-loathing, ill will toward your former oompany, alcohol and tears…or at least it was for me. But, you learn that it’s a blessing in disguise. It led me to travel, which in turn led me toward options I only dreamed of as a career. And despite being fairly discouraged, I do still think it’ll eventually lead me to job I actually look forward to doing every day. Hang in there, and let’s catch up soon!
I bet it sucks, all the guys I know who went home said it was like manic depression. You’re young, if you’re serious you know what to do, next time leave with enough fuel to get to orbit and then just float around, or something like that.
Good luck!
Well, I’m fighting complacency by heading back to school this fall. I think when you get into a career at a young age your employer kinda exploits your enthusiasm. I’ve worked non stop since you left, and I haven’t even had a vaca. Heck, they just put me on the staff like two weeks ago. (filing taxes as an independent contractor sucks) lol. Now I’m stuck paginating in the office four days a week, I hardly ever cover anything. And the funny thing is, I really don’t want to cover anything. I just want to do something different where I can be creative.
Hi Sarah, I found your blog via GoOverseas and just wanted to say hi
I also took 2010 as a chance to go travelling and went for a 4-month trip around South & Central America, which was amazing! Careerwise I can only second your idea of working in NGO/international organisations, I’ve done this for the past almost 5 years and found it to be a very rewarding area plus great chances to live abroad for some time! All the best for the job-hunt!