Advice and help on one of those tough points in life, please?

Question

This is going to be long but I just need a little help or some similar experiences. I'm going to be 26 next week. Some of you will say "oh you're young don't worry" but I'm starting to feel older and like I need some sort of direction. I have a fairly well paying job for only being a high school graduate, but I've been working 50 or more hours per week for about 6 weeks now. And be there at 5 a.m. Because I have to , not because I want to. It's a manufacturing job and I can't say it really interests me in the long run. I don't know what does really, I hate the corporate world with all its fake, long winded conversations and bs. You know what I'm talking about. I feel sort of empty like something is missing. I live in the same city I was born in, my friends are starting to pair off and get married, and we all drink a little more than we should. I feel like it would be difficult to up and leave, yet I feel I'm wasting some good times of my life. Anyone been through this?

Thank you all, these are great stories and pieces of advice.
And StephenP, you will not be reported. It made me laugh. To answer your question no drug addiction or debt is a factor in this.

I sort of feel pressure to stay because I've never had a job with benefits before. I don't want to lose the health insurance and all that I get and I'm not sure I could find another job that provides it, let alone one I would like.

The 50 hour weeks will not be ending soon. This company is doing very well sales wise right now. I feel like something more for me or more artistic or beneficial for society would be better for me, but fear becoming the "starving artist."

Answer 1

You will find your purpose and your strength when you see that you are in a relationship with all other living things; and that you are powerful, purposeful, and peaceful when you serve in some capacity.

♥

Answer 2

Yes. I think all young people go through this. You are probably doing much the same things you were doing when you were a teen. Just kind of in a comfortable rut. You haven't settled down yet but you haven't taken off either.

First off if you are working 50 hours a week how do you actually have time for anything else? Lot of hours.

First off you need to try a bit more educating. You don't have to go to college. Learn a trade! Welding, computer repair, nursing, truck driving, etc. There are tons of trades you could learn. You can usually go to a trade or vocational school while you work. Most of the time yo you can learn a trade in just three quarters. +-A trade would get you out of the job rut., on a career track and help you avoid all the problems in factory work these days. (closings, lay offs, cut backs, moves, etc)

Save a bit of money and do some vacationing to see what the rest of the US has to offer. Just up and moving from your home town is not really a good idea. You need some direction before you make that radical a move.

Take up a new hobby. Drop the drinking and take up photography ( you can usually get lessons in photography at a vocational school), golf join a bowling league or a baseball team, coin collecting, painting. You need some new stimulation.

Answer 3

I'm 24 and will be turning 25 next week. I've seen people go through what you are going through and have experienced it a little bit myself. I know that your occupation has a great affect on how you feel. Are you being challenged at your job or feel you are working for a worthy cause? When I look for a job those are two very important things that I look at. Cause yes some days we just want to walk into work and be able to sleep through the days. but as humans we need something to challenge us or atleast let us know we are making a difference to give us some meaning. I think you should start studying something/anything. i know what it's like to be kind of lost and feel that nothing in particular interests you. It's hard to get started when you want to make a life change, but although you may start slowly things will pick up. My advice is don't wait change your job and you will change your attitude. this will help you in all areas of your life and will probably help you meet the right person too.
drinking is tons of fun but can be empty if you do it day after day. everyone needs something to give their life meaning. start with your work and go from there. good luck.

Answer 4

You can start to look into some educational classes that interest you so you can move into something that does interest you and maybe look for a job in the papers in different cities close to where you live (but DON"T quit the current job) to see if there is something else you would like to do. My son had a poor paying job and he quit that to move to a different state so he could be w/ his GF and he lasted a week and now he is back home living with us , no job, no $$ and no prospects for a job. So research anything well before taking any steps- and try to save some $$ in case you do find something else you want to do, that way you can go explore the new job and still be able to live! Good Luck!!

Answer 5

you bet! when I was about 22 or so I felt like if I didn't get out of town soon I would die there. and soon.
I up and moved to Lake Tahoe and got a job at a ski resort for the winter, and at a marina doing boat rentals for the summer.
it was harder work than I expected, but it was a lot of fun and I made a lot of new friends. the money wasn't great and I had to do the roommate thing for a while,but I survived. I got better jobs and gained a lot of experience .
I eventually moved back to within about 20 miles of where I grew up. I still run into some of the old gang now and then,and we hang out sometimes.
the scary thing is that alot of these people are still right there doing the same old thing.
anyway, get up and go. you don't have to leave forever but you owe it to yourself to get out and live your own life.
it's kinda scary, but not as scary as staying put and waking up one day , you're 50 and still there , drinking in the same old bar and checking the obituaries everyday .
find a book by Richard Bach called Illusions . if you don't read the whole book ( I recommend it) read the first part. the part about
'The river delights to lift us free' .
go for it dude! move out. get a new job. maybe a resort town for a while. get a friend to go along . go to a j.c. . re-invent yourself !
start planning today . you obviously know how to use the internet, so start scouting. good luck !

Answer 6

I'm going through something similar right now. I'm 28. I know what I want to do with my life I just lack the courage and confidence to do it. Many of my friends also feel the same way, I think it's very common. Don't beat yourself up about it! Working 50 hours a week doesn't give you much time to reflect and really think about what you want to do with your life. Right now you're trying to survive, you want to figure out what will make you thrive. (I didn't mean for that to rhyme and be all Dr. Phil catch-phrasey.)

Sometimes I make a list of all the things I like to do and that I find rewarding, then I put it away and look at it a few days later. It's how I realised that I'm happiest when I work on my own and work creatively with my hands. Try it for yourself, you might be surprised!

Answer 7

Yes, and at times even thought i have changed things in my life i still feel i am wasting some part of my life. I know i have taken changes and went to different places, and college, and taken chances to change my life for the better, by leaving and going to a different state and doing things i need to get done . But yet, since it took me so long in my life to do that i feel yes it would of been better if i would of stayed in another state, and finished my college education, and just keapt on pressing for my dreams, but sometimes it seems that hin site is always better then fore site. So it is something you are going to have to decide for yourself. If you are un happy with the job that you are in, and you think you are wasting your time, then why not do something different. Even go to college, so that you may get the job you would really like and not have to work all of those hours a week. It is important that you like your work, and not all people end up staying in the same town as they have grown up in, so go ahead and take that chance, and do what your heart is telling you too, and go and follow your dreams.

Answer 8

I have been through a somewhat similar situation. I got to the point to where I had to leave my home town. I'll admit that I was homesick at first, but I've gotten over it and now I love having the space between me and my friends and family back home. The new friends I have made where I live now are great. They don't know about my past and they haven't heard all of my stories. I'm really glad I made the move. If you want something, go get it! Good Luck!

Answer 9

26 is so old. I remember when I was 26 I felt ancient. Now at 47, I feel as though my age is irrelevant. It's a bummer you hate your job, but if you have to do it, then I have to accept that. Do you really have to do it? Are you in debt? Do you have a drug habit to support? Maybe you should have your midlife crisis early, so you can get on with the rest of your life. I'm just rambling. I have no answers for you, so technically you could report me. I'd prefer if you didn't.

Answer 10

Try going to school. Not full time---take a class at college that you think is interesting---may be something that can help you move up in your current career---You'll be fine--it's good to get unsettled sometimes. You can't stay stagnant-you've got to move and grow---how long will you be working the 50 hrs a week?

Answer 11

It sounds like you aren't happy with your life as it is. What do you like to do? Go back to school and study what you enjoy. Then get a job in the field of what you enjoy doing. Get in church and do some volunteer work. Nothing makes you feel better than when you help other people. I will be praying for you. God bless you.