I am 21 and have been a bookworm all my life. Don't get me wrong, I love reading and education- but at 21, I still have hands like a babies. And, with my academic background, I'll more than likely end up at a job behind a desk or pushing pencils. No chance for my hands (and my soul, if you are thus inclined) to harden up.
I want to take a couple of years to harden myself up- not in a brawny, macho way, but just to toughen myself a little, work up calloused hands and get a few weathered lines. It's as much about whats inside me as it is my appearance; I want to be a man who's worked with the sun on his back, the wind whipping his hair and the sea spray soaking my face.
What opportunities are there for me to do this? Can anyone give me any sensible suggestions? If I am doomed to spend the rest of my life working in a well-paid but soul-destroying office job, I at least want a few years of good, hard, honest toil! So what can I do, bearing in mind I'm based in the UK? Thanks!
2007-02-13 00:23:05 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Short of joining the Navy, dear, there are lots of ways you could develop more seasoned hands. Start by making a little garden for yourself, even if it's only a few tomatoes and herbs in some pots. I recommend basil, oregano, and parsley. Any seniors in your neighborhood? Volunteer to do errands for them or little odd jobs. How about a soup kitchen? Any of these would help put some callouses on those sweet hands. Go to the park and sit in the sun when weather will allow. Or bite the bullet, and take a job in construction. You'll be out in the sun, wind, and rain, alright! Working in the soil is good for your soul, which sounds lovely to me.
2007-02-13 00:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go and offer your services to a third world nation. Help build schools, dig fields and lay water pipes. If you don't want to leave the UK then go work with schemes that help charities build play areas or anything that helps somebody else. There is a load that you could do and the Internet is the best tool that you have. You did make me laugh when you said about the wind whipping your hair and the sea spray in your face. With words like that you are destined to be a writer
2007-02-13 08:33:23 · answer #2 · answered by Tabbyfur aka patchy puss 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do you feel a need for manual work ? One way you may wish to investigate is perhaps through archeology, geology or paleontology ? Any one of these can combine intellect and physical effort and can be very rewarding. How to get paid for it to keep above starvation is another matter! No body's soul needs hardening, it just needs to open up to higher things and to bloom and flourish as much as it can with time. There is a saying about shepherds, thick soles but thinking minds. What you may ultimately need is a work orientation course to help you decide what you may want to do next and where your future life may lie ? I think you may be searching your way into the future.
2007-02-13 08:45:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
what ever makes you sleep at night pet. not everyone gets a high wage job these days take now before it's too late. but you cold always try going in to a building career for a bit or plumbing real hard working jobs with not very good pay i will add and these people really do work for their money BUT i will stress about the fact you get a lot of thugs who do bad cheap jobs and rip people off.
2007-02-13 08:32:26 · answer #4 · answered by dragontears 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just go out and get some part time work in a factory or something for awhile. but you are who you are and you have to be happy with that. I wish i was in your shoes. I work hard stocking shelves overnights at target. my hands are so dry from opening hundreds of boxes every night. My back hurts from unloading the truck and lifting water and laundry soap. so you see, My point is this, we would all like to be on the outher side of the fence, try on someone elses shoes. Just do what your good at and love yourself for who you are and what your talents are.
2007-02-13 08:32:38 · answer #5 · answered by eightieschick70 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm 46, and while I don't have any specific helpful advice for you, I do want to say that I think you're setting a good goal, one that you will appreciate later in life.
Odd as it may sound to say, you might consider the military (yeah, yeah, I know, Blair has kinda screwed that up, but I'll bet overall it's still a good option).
Whatever you decide, I think you're thinking right about this.
2007-02-13 08:31:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rock climbing, toughens the hands, maybe even get a few battle scars. Get some indoor practice in before Summer. Spend your Summer evenings and weekeds outdoor camping and climbing.
2007-02-13 10:31:04 · answer #7 · answered by monkienutz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about the Peace corps., or anything like that.Not only is some of it hard work,plenty of chances for calloused hands and sun on your back, it will lift your spirtis to know you have helped people. You will meet alot of people wanting to help people and make life long friends. Good luck.
2007-02-13 08:28:13 · answer #8 · answered by Rosalind S 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you donate some of your precious time to one of the African Countries that are in need of skilled people. Sierra Leone, The Gambia. There are many communities out there that will keep you for a trade in your skills.
2007-02-15 17:31:57 · answer #9 · answered by jeremiah15nineteen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Join the military for a couple of years. This is what I did. They toughen you up a few different ways.
2007-02-13 08:29:02 · answer #10 · answered by Alex 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋