Sick of the Rat Race

The rat race. The 9 to 5. The daily work that gives us the ability (mostly) to buy housing, food, clothing, and all the things we need (and hopefully some we want too).

Since the early 1990's I have been firmly ingrained in the corporate world. From receptionist to file clerk and working my way up (and sideways) to learn all the MS Office you can handle, plus I was a top number-cruncher. At one point in time my then husband and I were doing just fine...until 2006 when the world as we knew it ended and I became the sole breadwinner. I earned two degrees in seven years...but now I need to leverage that knowledge.

As I type this during my now third month of unemployment I wonder...what did it get me? Where am I in my life? I am 40+ years old, no children, but I have a very hard-working fiance who is blue collar. (a shrinking field in its entirety for manufacturing in this country) but at least he has a job. My now ex-husband is still draining me a little at a time (no worries, there is a light at the end of that tunnel) but I'm still making next to nothing. I either have to learn an entirely new job or...

I need a non-traditional job.

All my life (working life) I wanted the 9-5, secretarial role, do my bit kind of gig. I quickly found out that's not what I wanted at all and was typecast (after being Speedy Gonzales on a 10-key) in the accounting world. A stigma that haunts me to this day. I cannot get away from it, as much as I try. (I had been pursuing a 3rd degree in accounting when my personal life blew up. So much for concentration! Plus, I decided, that was not what I really wanted. It was a great distraction, but the mission failed.)

I have many skills and talents, but none of which the modern labor force seems to pick up in their keyword searches of my resume. In three months I've had one phone interview and two agencies call. Let me tell you, I've done the agency bit since I was 18 years old. It's time to stop that altogether, (but that's another post.)

So...I am saying here and now that while I am forced to look for something "traditional" I will work my side gigs and try to keep writing so that my books are at least seen and some fresh material is out there.  Plus I'm a knitting fiend and may open an Etsy shop or sell on Facebook.  I may pick up other crafts just to sell my wares if I find that there's a market.

OK, rant over.

To all my fans and friends through these tough years, Thank You a millions times over! Without you, I don't know what I'd do. You've fallen for Phillip or Sam or maybe even Mark. We love you and appreciate you all deeply.