Future Planning

[Jetta]

I'm a total planner type, and really few of my plans ever turn out how I intended them but I still find myself making plans for the future. I plan to remarry, so I found my wedding dress for example (haven't bought it though I would if I had the money because it's perfect). Found my ideal house, great neighborhood, descent price, needs some improvements to be perfect but it's so great even my mom liked it.

 

Currently though live is in limbo. I'm waiting, applying to numerous jobs, and really hoping for a job offer but that's up to the world not me and that is what sucks. If I had money I'd start my own business then I could decide who to hire and rule my own world. Alas that's not the case at this time. I'm stuck at someone elses mercy waiting for everything I want in life to happen.

 

I'd jump off this roller coaster ride but I've done enough in my life and if there is a God I don't want to anger him even more than he likely already is at me. Because I've been stuck in limbo for years, and I returned to college hoping it would push this wave away but it hasn't seemed to help. Except it gave me something to work towards for a while, not smart enough for grad school or I'd be applying now that the work thing hasn't been working out.

 

Honestly what can I do to get life moving in a forward motion so I can fulfill some of these plans I seem so interested in making? My GPA is 2.681 so that's why I say grad school is out, and I'd go back for a 2nd degree but I hear you can't get financial aid for a 2nd degree and I'd need financial aid. I'm getting too old for this game and I need a break. Any ideas?

[Numi]

Hmm... I'm the totally opposite of you, I'm not a planner type at all, so my advice might be pretty irrelevant to you. I'd recommend travel to get a fresh perspective and a fresh start on things. Move to a new city. Do something completely out of your comfort zone. Meet new people. At least that's what I tend to do when things start to feel stagnant and grey. Usually unplanned When money is short, I travel in miniture, which may sound strange but I find it refreshing. I go to a new city, get off at a random stop on the train, something like that. Sometimes when things are really tight money-wise, I just turn off my phone, and go and lie in the sun. Last time I bought a tramp lunch and asked him to tell me his life story ^^

 

Perhaps taking up some charity work while you're waiting to here back from people about jobs. It'll give you something to do so you aren't focused on waiting, and you'll meet new people and do new things which should help to elivate the sense of stagnation.

 

Outside that, the only thing I can think of saying is try to plan a little less. Spend a little more time being glad of today, instead of chasing tomorrows

[Jetta]

Travel is nice I just got back from a family vacation about a week or so ago, which did put me out of this planning mode and into relaxation mode. However I'm back trying to force change and it's not having anything to do with me. I'm not a volunteer type because it costs me money to do it, and I don't have enough the way it is. I can't afford the gas to get to the cities where the opportunities to volunteer are, or take a 2 hour bus ride, neither appeals at this juncture of my life. My focus is on applying and interviewing hoping one of these apps/interviews turns into an offer.

[FairyGodmother]

Maybe you could take this time to work on yourself? Looking different always makes me feel different too; join a gym, get your hair cut and go on a little shopping splurge for work clothes. And since you like planning for the future, why don't you write down some achievable resolutions that you want to have succeeded at by next month? Maybe your life just feels a little hectic and out of your control because your future plans are too broad and vague. You could volunteering while waiting for your job opportunities, or take some fun classes at a local community college (art, photography, cpr)... something random, but fun! Concentrate on what you're trying to achieve short-term and find ways to do it, instead of having lots of big but inconceivable notions of the future.

[bulletproof]

I'm not a volunteer type because it costs me money to do it, and I don't have enough the way it is. I can't afford the gas to get to the cities where the opportunities to volunteer are, or take a 2 hour bus ride, neither appeals at this juncture of my life.

 

Getting jobs is about networking and sometimes it's about working for free also, whether it's as an intern or a volunteer. If you're not willing to set a little money aside or take a two-hour bus ride once or twice a week, how badly do you want a job?

 

You seem to be making excuses and listing lots of reasons why life is out of your control, when really it isn't. You just have to go above and beyond to make an effort to get things, especially in a job market that is really competitive right now.

[quantumst8]

You can get federal student loans for a 2nd undergraduate degree. You can't get a Pell grant, though.

[Jetta]

Thanks for the info. quantumst8.

 

As far as not trying hard enough because I'm not currently volunteering my work for free is simply not the case. Many of the applications I've submitted say not to include volunteer work or any unpaid work as part of your work history. I did get some good references from my volunteer experience but nothing else except that notion that many are volunteering in hopes of landing that one special opportunity that's rare and almost non-existent. I'll work at McDonalds before I work for free again.

[bulletproof]

As far as not trying hard enough because I'm not currently volunteering my work for free is simply not the case. Many of the applications I've submitted say not to include volunteer work or any unpaid work as part of your work history. I did get some good references from my volunteer experience but nothing else except that notion that many are volunteering in hopes of landing that one special opportunity that's rare and almost non-existent. I'll work at McDonalds before I work for free again.

 

It's more about making contacts, not about what you can put on your resume. And how many volunteer experiences do you have? It might take more than one, or two, or three different places to get something from it. And you also mentioned feeling like your life was in limbo. At least volunteering puts you out in the community and helps you develop friendships and communication with others.