Thoughts of a Random Nature

Happy Tuesday!

I follow Forbes on Twitter and yesterday they posted an article about ways millenials can avoid suffering from burnout. Being a millenial who suffered from academic exhaustion a few years ago, I feel I can relate. Anyway, some of the ways to avoid this trap include: knowing your threshold, prepare for melancholy moods, nurture the soul, determine your purpose, and possess self-awareness.

Millenial/Gen-Y burnout being of interest to me, I naturally decided to do some research. An interesting tidbit I read about it is that it can happen when you have a smorgasbord of opportunities in your face. And I can see this being very true. Now it’s acceptable to look for a job that inspires and provides purpose, as opposed to just paying the bills. We have chances to study abroad and travel the world, things that may not have been provided so easily to previous generations. But with so many options, there is a dark side. Can it be that we have so much in front of us that we get into everything aimlessly until exhaustion sets in and we collapse?

Looking at these tips, I think they can apply to areas of one’s life outside of academics/careers. For instance, in my case, trying to get healthy and lose weight. I’m finally seeing results but I have to admit it hasn’t been easy. When you’re working out hard, cutting out sweets and fast food, and still only losing a few ounces, it’s tempting to want to throw in the towel. Undergoing this process of getting in shape is just as much mental as it is physical, maybe even more so.

I’ve had to determine my threshold and then keep pushing when it’s been reached. I know there are going to be days when I get on the scale thinking I’ve lost two pounds and barely lost one. After the gym, I like to shower and relax with a cup of tea (usually peppermint) while I write or get on the internet. I have a purpose for totally changing my diet and becoming a gym rat: I want to be healthy and feel good about the way I look. And finally I’m aware of myself. I know what I’m capable of and what I’m not.

Burnout happens in relationships, at work, school, pursuing dreams and goals, and I’m sure several different areas. The gist of these burnout tips (in my opinion) is to just calm down and regroup. It’s not the end of the world if you get exhausted and need a break. I wish I would have known this three years ago when I left grad school, I could have saved myself a lot of grief. But then I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Have you ever suffered burnout? How did you recover?

J

Lately I’ve been dealing with a dilemma. It’s been on my mind day and night and it all stems from the question I’ve been asked a lot recently: “When are you going to settle down and pick a career?” Now I know this is being broached because the questioners believe I’m intelligent and have potential. But this question still manages to irritate me.

Like many other millenials, I’ve discovered that I have a slight aversion to entering corporate America. No offense to anyone who prefers this path but I don’t believe it’s for me. I’m not business-minded at all and nothing about the culture or environment interests me. I want a job that uses creativity and where I feel as if I’m making some meaningful contribution. I know this is a bit idealistic and perhaps typical of people my age but I want to feel some kind of fulfillment from my work.

Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed working with words, whether writing stories, helping people tidy up documents, or word games. I believe it is through writing that I can best contribute to society. And that’s why I have decided I want to be a writer. Of course, this isn’t the easiest thing to explain to parents who may be starting to wonder exactly why they sent their daughter to college if she just wants to stare at a Word document on her laptop all day.

This decision may not be the easiest to explain to others, but at what point do you have to ignore what others, despite their best intentions, want for you? Although I’ve been on this career-searching odyssey for awhile I feel incredibly lucky to be a twentysomething right now. Because we can create our careers. Having a full-time job and a “side hustle” is very popular right now, and for a good reason. Who says you have to choose between a stable job and pursuing your passion? Why not try and have it all?

I’m starting to realize that I know exactly what I’m looking for. I just want to live and enjoy my life (who doesn’t?) but I don’t want it to be something I have to squeeze in for an hour or two every week. I want it to be everything.

I was so relieved to find out there are other twentysomethings dealing with this same issue, so I know I’m not crazy . I’d like to know, are there any of you who have faced the decision of whether or not to pursue your passion? How did those closest to you take it? Did you care?

J