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Passion vs Responsibility

 

12-19-22 09:18 AM
Zlinqx is Offline
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I've been in a reflective mood as of late. Largely brought on by watching this anime called 'Blue Period'. It's about a high school student, who gives up the potential for a stable career, to pursue a newfound passion: Art. It is a show that, as a young adult who's still finding his way in life often resonates with me.

We're all getting older and many of us are now stepping into adult life. Because of that, we are being faced with new situations and with that usually comes new conflicts. We "move on" from our past selves, often times because we simply grow bored, have new experiences and discover new interests. But also because we feel pressured by our surroundings. Maybe we don't feel like we can spend as much time on things we enjoy because we have responsibilities. Pursuing a career, family obligations, caring about the world or simply trying to get through the day. There are so many things competing for our attention and as a result life can be very stressful.

It's been the source of a lot of internal struggle for me, as someone who has always clinged very hard to his childhood dreams, but also felt a need to live up to expectations. I'm still very much driven by that ambition. Even if it's nothing as dramatic as betting my entire life on a singular goal, I try to really make time for the things that I feel matter, by making it a core part of my life. To not feel as if I'm being held back from being... Well... Me.

But it can be very hard in a world where you're expected to strive for certain things... And on the flip side, we can also find value in many things that we initially didn't expect. Not to mention the elephant in the room, which is that focusing too intensely on something that interests us, can often make it feel like a chore. I've experienced that first hand. So perhaps this also shows how this kind of problem is, to some extent, a product of time and age. A consequence of the very 'freedom first' way of life many of us live. Either way, it's an interesting dialogue to have with yourself.

I'd love to hear how you all feel about it. If this something you can relate to in your life or not and in what way?
I've been in a reflective mood as of late. Largely brought on by watching this anime called 'Blue Period'. It's about a high school student, who gives up the potential for a stable career, to pursue a newfound passion: Art. It is a show that, as a young adult who's still finding his way in life often resonates with me.

We're all getting older and many of us are now stepping into adult life. Because of that, we are being faced with new situations and with that usually comes new conflicts. We "move on" from our past selves, often times because we simply grow bored, have new experiences and discover new interests. But also because we feel pressured by our surroundings. Maybe we don't feel like we can spend as much time on things we enjoy because we have responsibilities. Pursuing a career, family obligations, caring about the world or simply trying to get through the day. There are so many things competing for our attention and as a result life can be very stressful.

It's been the source of a lot of internal struggle for me, as someone who has always clinged very hard to his childhood dreams, but also felt a need to live up to expectations. I'm still very much driven by that ambition. Even if it's nothing as dramatic as betting my entire life on a singular goal, I try to really make time for the things that I feel matter, by making it a core part of my life. To not feel as if I'm being held back from being... Well... Me.

But it can be very hard in a world where you're expected to strive for certain things... And on the flip side, we can also find value in many things that we initially didn't expect. Not to mention the elephant in the room, which is that focusing too intensely on something that interests us, can often make it feel like a chore. I've experienced that first hand. So perhaps this also shows how this kind of problem is, to some extent, a product of time and age. A consequence of the very 'freedom first' way of life many of us live. Either way, it's an interesting dialogue to have with yourself.

I'd love to hear how you all feel about it. If this something you can relate to in your life or not and in what way?
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12-19-22 10:35 AM
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Zlinqx : Droning away at some meaningless job I dislike for 40 years is one of my top fears, only 2nd to marrying only to get divorced a few years later and lose the kids, making me pay alimony and child-support for fcukin ever. It's those long-term regret things that really scare the crap outta me. The risk involved with almost anything else looks infinitesimal in comparison, for me. In these niche jobs, it's rare to straight up lose forever, you can usually live for a good while. Even if, on the small chance, I were to lose forever, I can at least be happy that I tried something I liked doing and felt meaningful than wasting myself on some banal bullcrap job.
Zlinqx : Droning away at some meaningless job I dislike for 40 years is one of my top fears, only 2nd to marrying only to get divorced a few years later and lose the kids, making me pay alimony and child-support for fcukin ever. It's those long-term regret things that really scare the crap outta me. The risk involved with almost anything else looks infinitesimal in comparison, for me. In these niche jobs, it's rare to straight up lose forever, you can usually live for a good while. Even if, on the small chance, I were to lose forever, I can at least be happy that I tried something I liked doing and felt meaningful than wasting myself on some banal bullcrap job.
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12-19-22 11:37 AM
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MrKokoPudgeFudge : I definitely relate to that. I grew up around a lot of older people who would tell me about their regrets, and so I've had that same fear deeply instilled in me. Although at different points in my life it meant different things.

When I was younger, I more so thought I was going to regret not working hard enough, so I could be financially stable later in life. Which lead me to pursuing a "stable career" that in truth I didn't have much interest in (although I convinced myself I did). At some point I hit a wall as it became difficult to fake that interest and the challenge increased.

After that I finally admitted what I actually wanted to pursue, things I had previously dismissed because I had been told they weren't viable career paths. It's hard to tell where exactly that journey will end. It has definitely provided challenges, not having that peace of mind of a stable future, and I've reconciled myself with the idea of living a very modest life to make those goals possible.

That's not to say that it's always a good thing to be entirely idealistic. I'm increasingly finding ways to make my goals possible, that more directly respond to the needs people have. I do think there is something to be said for keeping that in mind, just to not be closed off in one's thinking.

But like you said, I still think I'll be more satisfied with knowing "I tried" rather than having that big "what if" question popping up in my mind constantly. Which is something I often take comfort in. It's interesting to see how the same principle can take on different meanings using a different vantage point.

MrKokoPudgeFudge : I definitely relate to that. I grew up around a lot of older people who would tell me about their regrets, and so I've had that same fear deeply instilled in me. Although at different points in my life it meant different things.

When I was younger, I more so thought I was going to regret not working hard enough, so I could be financially stable later in life. Which lead me to pursuing a "stable career" that in truth I didn't have much interest in (although I convinced myself I did). At some point I hit a wall as it became difficult to fake that interest and the challenge increased.

After that I finally admitted what I actually wanted to pursue, things I had previously dismissed because I had been told they weren't viable career paths. It's hard to tell where exactly that journey will end. It has definitely provided challenges, not having that peace of mind of a stable future, and I've reconciled myself with the idea of living a very modest life to make those goals possible.

That's not to say that it's always a good thing to be entirely idealistic. I'm increasingly finding ways to make my goals possible, that more directly respond to the needs people have. I do think there is something to be said for keeping that in mind, just to not be closed off in one's thinking.

But like you said, I still think I'll be more satisfied with knowing "I tried" rather than having that big "what if" question popping up in my mind constantly. Which is something I often take comfort in. It's interesting to see how the same principle can take on different meanings using a different vantage point.

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12-19-22 05:11 PM
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I feel like I'm going to struggle to put this to words but I find stuff like clinging to childhood dreams and wanting to live up to expectations very relatable.

I think I've gotten more afraid of failing to meet expectations or even just failing to do anything in life over the past few years I spent a couple of years trying to figure out what I wanted to go to college for cause I felt pushed in that direction only after several years to decide I don't think I could handle it I only managed to get my GED because I can handle multiple choice questions really well I struggled throughout school with anything that wasn't multiple choice questions even though I was homeschooled or maybe because it was just me reading 30 something pages on a computer each day is why I struggled idek that.

Now that I'm trying to find a job and such I often find myself struggling to find a good balance of looking for a job and not letting that be all I think about to the point where I avoid looking but still get stressed out about not doing enough. I also think I struggle with just being able to keep motivation toward finding a job because I know I'll most likely hate it and at no point growing up did I ever want to work or look forward to being an adult so taking the first step to really feeling like an adult is something I've struggled with anyway without even considering the passion vs responsibility part of it.
I feel like I'm going to struggle to put this to words but I find stuff like clinging to childhood dreams and wanting to live up to expectations very relatable.

I think I've gotten more afraid of failing to meet expectations or even just failing to do anything in life over the past few years I spent a couple of years trying to figure out what I wanted to go to college for cause I felt pushed in that direction only after several years to decide I don't think I could handle it I only managed to get my GED because I can handle multiple choice questions really well I struggled throughout school with anything that wasn't multiple choice questions even though I was homeschooled or maybe because it was just me reading 30 something pages on a computer each day is why I struggled idek that.

Now that I'm trying to find a job and such I often find myself struggling to find a good balance of looking for a job and not letting that be all I think about to the point where I avoid looking but still get stressed out about not doing enough. I also think I struggle with just being able to keep motivation toward finding a job because I know I'll most likely hate it and at no point growing up did I ever want to work or look forward to being an adult so taking the first step to really feeling like an adult is something I've struggled with anyway without even considering the passion vs responsibility part of it.
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12-19-22 06:42 PM
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SonicOlmstead : It can be a very suffocating thing, especially if you're put into a situation where you feel like the choice is being made for you.

In regards to your predicament: I can only give you my perspective, but perhaps listening to my experience might give you some assurance in either direction.

I'm coming up on 5 years of university studies next summer. Only now am I finishing my bachelors, having bumbled around and failed quite a few different intro classes. Despite that, I really do think anyone can handle it if they're willing to put in the effort. Higher level studies, are unquestionably more about method than talent. That is, developing good study habits and having the courage and self-insight to admit when you're struggling and ask for help (things I never had or did). Once I realized this (and stopped letting a fear of the future control me) it has become a very fulfilling experience for me. Both on a personal level and in terms of developing skills that will be useful from a career perspective.

Although I sometimes feel a bit regretful about my decisions those initial years, I also learned many things from it. I really grew as a person and I think that's much of what college/uni is about rather than simply studying. A chance to work on yourself, the things that you feel are holding you back in life, rather than feeling that you need to have things figured out when you start. No one expects that from you.

So the note I want to end on is this: If the main thing holding you back is feeling incapable (rather than being disinterested) I don't think you have to close the door on it entirely. If you're pursuing something you enjoy and you remain open, it can be a very fulfilling experience. Especially if you're not ready to head out into work life just yet.

Of course I'm not exactly impartial when it comes to this either. Whichever way you go I wish you good luck. If you listen to your own feelings, I think you will do well in the end.
SonicOlmstead : It can be a very suffocating thing, especially if you're put into a situation where you feel like the choice is being made for you.

In regards to your predicament: I can only give you my perspective, but perhaps listening to my experience might give you some assurance in either direction.

I'm coming up on 5 years of university studies next summer. Only now am I finishing my bachelors, having bumbled around and failed quite a few different intro classes. Despite that, I really do think anyone can handle it if they're willing to put in the effort. Higher level studies, are unquestionably more about method than talent. That is, developing good study habits and having the courage and self-insight to admit when you're struggling and ask for help (things I never had or did). Once I realized this (and stopped letting a fear of the future control me) it has become a very fulfilling experience for me. Both on a personal level and in terms of developing skills that will be useful from a career perspective.

Although I sometimes feel a bit regretful about my decisions those initial years, I also learned many things from it. I really grew as a person and I think that's much of what college/uni is about rather than simply studying. A chance to work on yourself, the things that you feel are holding you back in life, rather than feeling that you need to have things figured out when you start. No one expects that from you.

So the note I want to end on is this: If the main thing holding you back is feeling incapable (rather than being disinterested) I don't think you have to close the door on it entirely. If you're pursuing something you enjoy and you remain open, it can be a very fulfilling experience. Especially if you're not ready to head out into work life just yet.

Of course I'm not exactly impartial when it comes to this either. Whichever way you go I wish you good luck. If you listen to your own feelings, I think you will do well in the end.
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12-20-22 11:05 AM
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I totally relate to this, and in fact I'm going through it at the moment, so I can confirm it's tedious as hell.

More than childhood dreams, what I had is simply things that interest me to devote my life to. However, the world is such an unfair place and I've been unable to make any progress on there (my progress was on other fields, but not getting a job), which made me reconsider not only my future but my entire life as well.

I'm almost finishing a two-year course focusing on economics and administration. It's the absolute opposite of what motivates me, so I'm having a very hard time getting to do the tasks and exams. Add to this medical problems, personal life in general not going well and you have a massive mix you desperately want to get out of. So I'm struggling to balance things out and dedicate time to myself, to refresh my mind and to do tasks. Just because this is the path to securing the future I want, or at least secure the part of the future I want that depends entirely on me.

It's all about finding anything that motivates you, no matter how small it can be. But once again, the problem is the balance. How many times after falling to the ground face-first can you climb back up? How many times will you endure such motivations and hopes being burnt to ashes right before your eyes? It keeps getting harder and harder after each time, forcing you to look for another way out of the whirlpool of negativeness you've fallen in.
I totally relate to this, and in fact I'm going through it at the moment, so I can confirm it's tedious as hell.

More than childhood dreams, what I had is simply things that interest me to devote my life to. However, the world is such an unfair place and I've been unable to make any progress on there (my progress was on other fields, but not getting a job), which made me reconsider not only my future but my entire life as well.

I'm almost finishing a two-year course focusing on economics and administration. It's the absolute opposite of what motivates me, so I'm having a very hard time getting to do the tasks and exams. Add to this medical problems, personal life in general not going well and you have a massive mix you desperately want to get out of. So I'm struggling to balance things out and dedicate time to myself, to refresh my mind and to do tasks. Just because this is the path to securing the future I want, or at least secure the part of the future I want that depends entirely on me.

It's all about finding anything that motivates you, no matter how small it can be. But once again, the problem is the balance. How many times after falling to the ground face-first can you climb back up? How many times will you endure such motivations and hopes being burnt to ashes right before your eyes? It keeps getting harder and harder after each time, forcing you to look for another way out of the whirlpool of negativeness you've fallen in.
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12-20-22 03:18 PM
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EX Palen : I can imagine, it sounds like you've had to confront a lot of challenges to get to where you are right now. For some people that is preferable. Gritting through something tedious, so they can set aside time to unconditionally spend on themselves. I try to center my life around my passion but that also means having to stick with it even when you don't feel like it. Through that much of the initial enjoyment can be lost if you're not careful. So I don't think there is such a thing as experiencing constant enjoyment.

You can never fully escape the turmoil. Life is filled with ups and downs, and you need the contrast to fully appreciate the good that comes your way. That's how I see it. My times of being the most invested on this site, generally took place when I felt the most wanting in my outside life. That contrast made me all the more appreciative of the good that I experienced on here. In a similar way, I often draw on contrast of the mistakes I've made to help remind myself why I chose the path I have. So in that sense, it still serves the purpose of clearing my doubt.

It also doesn't mean that you can't develop new passions along the way like you allude to. I think that's generally a good mindset to have in life. On the one hand you shouldn't be afraid to reevaluate an uncomfortable situation and go in another direction. On the other, it's important to be able see things through and not search for some false dawn in life without struggle. As so many other things in life, it comes down to maintaining a balanced mindset. Some people skew more in one direction or the other, but ultimately both sides are still present.

Kudos to you for sticking with your course, even if it's rough, it sounds like you're asking yourself good questions. In the end, I think the most important thing is to just feel like you do have that time to spend on yourself. To not lose sight of why you're doing something in the first place. What it takes to meet that criteria, can vary quite drastically between different people in different circumstances. The moment you start slipping into a mindless routine that you get no enjoyment out of and feel no purpose in, that's when the real problem arises in my view. That's when you really need to start asking yourself difficult questions.
EX Palen : I can imagine, it sounds like you've had to confront a lot of challenges to get to where you are right now. For some people that is preferable. Gritting through something tedious, so they can set aside time to unconditionally spend on themselves. I try to center my life around my passion but that also means having to stick with it even when you don't feel like it. Through that much of the initial enjoyment can be lost if you're not careful. So I don't think there is such a thing as experiencing constant enjoyment.

You can never fully escape the turmoil. Life is filled with ups and downs, and you need the contrast to fully appreciate the good that comes your way. That's how I see it. My times of being the most invested on this site, generally took place when I felt the most wanting in my outside life. That contrast made me all the more appreciative of the good that I experienced on here. In a similar way, I often draw on contrast of the mistakes I've made to help remind myself why I chose the path I have. So in that sense, it still serves the purpose of clearing my doubt.

It also doesn't mean that you can't develop new passions along the way like you allude to. I think that's generally a good mindset to have in life. On the one hand you shouldn't be afraid to reevaluate an uncomfortable situation and go in another direction. On the other, it's important to be able see things through and not search for some false dawn in life without struggle. As so many other things in life, it comes down to maintaining a balanced mindset. Some people skew more in one direction or the other, but ultimately both sides are still present.

Kudos to you for sticking with your course, even if it's rough, it sounds like you're asking yourself good questions. In the end, I think the most important thing is to just feel like you do have that time to spend on yourself. To not lose sight of why you're doing something in the first place. What it takes to meet that criteria, can vary quite drastically between different people in different circumstances. The moment you start slipping into a mindless routine that you get no enjoyment out of and feel no purpose in, that's when the real problem arises in my view. That's when you really need to start asking yourself difficult questions.
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12-20-22 04:53 PM
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This time last year, I had just finished my first semester of grad school at Stony Brook University. I was enrolled in their Masters of Arts in Teaching English program. I was living with my parents, and commuting to school. I was also working as a substitute teacher at the school district that my step-mom works at. It was my second year working there. All of the teachers, secretaries, students, and other people that I interacted there liked me a lot. I also did my student observations (which I need to do for grad school) there. I had numerous teachers tell me that I was coming in at a great time, as the school would have a lot of English teachers retiring in the next few years, and I would be the perfect person to fill in one of the vacancies. These connections, along with the 4.0 GPA I was sporting in grad school, all but guaranteed me a job there when I graduated. Teachers on Long Island make $125K to $200K+ annually by the time they retire, with full health benefits and a pension. I would've been set, and I could have had a comfortable life where I grew up, near my family.

I have since dropped out of grad school, and now I live in West Virginia.

After my first semester of grad school, I decided to take a semester off and pursue an opportunity that I had always been interested in—the Disney College Program. It did absolutely nothing to benefit my academic or career path, but I thought it would be fun, and I wasn't in any particular rush to get things moving. It would delay my graduation by a semester; so what? So I applied, got accepted, and on January 24th of this year, I moved to Florida to spend 5 months working at Disney World. On January 26th of this year, I met a girl named Mackenzie. On August 22nd of this year, I packed up everything I owned and we moved into an apartment together in Wheeling, West Virginia, 15 minutes from where she grew up in eastern Pennsylvania.

I threw away my all-but-guaranteed comfortable future on Long Island where I grew up to be with her. I abandoned the "responsible" rout in favor of passion. And I couldn't be happier.

I currently work as a tutor, class instructor, and curriculum developer for a private education company. I work with students on Reading, Writing, and SAT prep, and I am currently in the process of designing the company's AP English Language and Composition test prep curriculum. It's a part-time job, but the hourly rate is good enough to make up for the lack of hours. Ironically, I am making more than public school teachers make in West Virginia (though nowhere near what I could have made as a teacher on Long Island).

I think pursuing your passion is the right way to go 95% of the time, as long as you aren't stupid about it. As long as you have enough money coming in to support yourself (and anyone that may be dependent on you), do what you want to do.
This time last year, I had just finished my first semester of grad school at Stony Brook University. I was enrolled in their Masters of Arts in Teaching English program. I was living with my parents, and commuting to school. I was also working as a substitute teacher at the school district that my step-mom works at. It was my second year working there. All of the teachers, secretaries, students, and other people that I interacted there liked me a lot. I also did my student observations (which I need to do for grad school) there. I had numerous teachers tell me that I was coming in at a great time, as the school would have a lot of English teachers retiring in the next few years, and I would be the perfect person to fill in one of the vacancies. These connections, along with the 4.0 GPA I was sporting in grad school, all but guaranteed me a job there when I graduated. Teachers on Long Island make $125K to $200K+ annually by the time they retire, with full health benefits and a pension. I would've been set, and I could have had a comfortable life where I grew up, near my family.

I have since dropped out of grad school, and now I live in West Virginia.

After my first semester of grad school, I decided to take a semester off and pursue an opportunity that I had always been interested in—the Disney College Program. It did absolutely nothing to benefit my academic or career path, but I thought it would be fun, and I wasn't in any particular rush to get things moving. It would delay my graduation by a semester; so what? So I applied, got accepted, and on January 24th of this year, I moved to Florida to spend 5 months working at Disney World. On January 26th of this year, I met a girl named Mackenzie. On August 22nd of this year, I packed up everything I owned and we moved into an apartment together in Wheeling, West Virginia, 15 minutes from where she grew up in eastern Pennsylvania.

I threw away my all-but-guaranteed comfortable future on Long Island where I grew up to be with her. I abandoned the "responsible" rout in favor of passion. And I couldn't be happier.

I currently work as a tutor, class instructor, and curriculum developer for a private education company. I work with students on Reading, Writing, and SAT prep, and I am currently in the process of designing the company's AP English Language and Composition test prep curriculum. It's a part-time job, but the hourly rate is good enough to make up for the lack of hours. Ironically, I am making more than public school teachers make in West Virginia (though nowhere near what I could have made as a teacher on Long Island).

I think pursuing your passion is the right way to go 95% of the time, as long as you aren't stupid about it. As long as you have enough money coming in to support yourself (and anyone that may be dependent on you), do what you want to do.
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12-22-22 10:59 AM
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tgags123 : Immense props, man. If I were in a situation like yours with my previous wisdom, I'd take the 6-figure job in my hometown. The fact you were able to take it down, and you couldn't be happier now, is something I never thought could be before. Thanks, I'm sure I'll remember this when something like that comes to me later.
tgags123 : Immense props, man. If I were in a situation like yours with my previous wisdom, I'd take the 6-figure job in my hometown. The fact you were able to take it down, and you couldn't be happier now, is something I never thought could be before. Thanks, I'm sure I'll remember this when something like that comes to me later.
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Jovial Chocolatier of Messy Delights


Affected by 'Laziness Syndrome'

Registered: 02-17-22
Last Post: 13 days
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Post Rating: 2   Liked By: jnisol, tgags123,

01-03-23 06:38 PM
tornadocam is Offline
| ID: 1399028 | 246 Words

tornadocam
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I am almost 38. I have always had a passion for Meteorology since I was age 3. I eventually got my degrees dealing with Earth Science. I have my own weather page.

In my opinion I think it is important to have passion and responsibility. While it is true you could have a job with good responsibilities and a job that even pays good. However, the question is would you be happy. Money cannot buy you happiness. Now with that being said you need a decent paying job to make it.

You can turn your passion into a job that also makes you have responsibility. For High School Seniors and 1st year or even 2nd year College students this can be a difficult thing to figure out.

At the end of the day I think one has to ask themselves. Can I make it what I want to do and if I cannot is there something else I would like? One also has to ask do I want to be doing this day after day and be happy. These are important things one has to work through.

A good example, is my cousin. When she first started college she had a passion for spreading the Gospel and helping people. She was asking these questions she prayed about it. She decided to become a nurse as that would allow her to have passion and responsibility. She has been a nurse for a long time and loves it.
I am almost 38. I have always had a passion for Meteorology since I was age 3. I eventually got my degrees dealing with Earth Science. I have my own weather page.

In my opinion I think it is important to have passion and responsibility. While it is true you could have a job with good responsibilities and a job that even pays good. However, the question is would you be happy. Money cannot buy you happiness. Now with that being said you need a decent paying job to make it.

You can turn your passion into a job that also makes you have responsibility. For High School Seniors and 1st year or even 2nd year College students this can be a difficult thing to figure out.

At the end of the day I think one has to ask themselves. Can I make it what I want to do and if I cannot is there something else I would like? One also has to ask do I want to be doing this day after day and be happy. These are important things one has to work through.

A good example, is my cousin. When she first started college she had a passion for spreading the Gospel and helping people. She was asking these questions she prayed about it. She decided to become a nurse as that would allow her to have passion and responsibility. She has been a nurse for a long time and loves it.
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Affected by 'Laziness Syndrome'

Registered: 08-18-12
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Post Rating: 1   Liked By: Zlinqx,

01-04-23 10:44 AM
Zlinqx is Offline
| ID: 1399041 | 307 Words

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tornadocam : There's definitely truth to that. I think one shouldn't be too dismissive of new experiences.

A few years ago I could never see myself doing teaching of any form, then I tried it as part of a certification course I was doing and absolutely loved it. It combined my love of learning with my love of public speaking and being creative. I think the same is the case for lots of other things. There's a lot of room to find work on the job market, that you can also find very enjoyable if you go into it with an open mind. Something I suppose a lot of younger people like myself are not always great at doing.

I do still take pride in my desire to always aim higher. For me, I've found my balance between passion and responsibility by working with something related to my goals. While doing this, I consistently aim higher, closer to my original dream. I feel like this method is often the way to go if you want to aim for difficult things in life.

What I see other people doing is often giving up their dreams, entirely and accepting a job for financial stability then hating their day to day. On the contrary some young people put all their eggs in one basket, and that rarely works either as you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

I think it's ultimately about adopting a balanced mindset. Being open to considering new paths, trying new things and finding meaning, even in activities that don't immediately correspond to your expectations. Of course that doesn't mean that you have to just happily go along with whatever, or give up entirely on an ambitious dream if that's what you really desire. It just means to be sensible and methodical in the way you go about it.
tornadocam : There's definitely truth to that. I think one shouldn't be too dismissive of new experiences.

A few years ago I could never see myself doing teaching of any form, then I tried it as part of a certification course I was doing and absolutely loved it. It combined my love of learning with my love of public speaking and being creative. I think the same is the case for lots of other things. There's a lot of room to find work on the job market, that you can also find very enjoyable if you go into it with an open mind. Something I suppose a lot of younger people like myself are not always great at doing.

I do still take pride in my desire to always aim higher. For me, I've found my balance between passion and responsibility by working with something related to my goals. While doing this, I consistently aim higher, closer to my original dream. I feel like this method is often the way to go if you want to aim for difficult things in life.

What I see other people doing is often giving up their dreams, entirely and accepting a job for financial stability then hating their day to day. On the contrary some young people put all their eggs in one basket, and that rarely works either as you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

I think it's ultimately about adopting a balanced mindset. Being open to considering new paths, trying new things and finding meaning, even in activities that don't immediately correspond to your expectations. Of course that doesn't mean that you have to just happily go along with whatever, or give up entirely on an ambitious dream if that's what you really desire. It just means to be sensible and methodical in the way you go about it.
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Affected by 'Laziness Syndrome'

Registered: 07-21-13
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01-07-23 09:44 AM
zanderlex is Offline
| ID: 1399249 | 147 Words

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I haven't really experienced that because the thing that I always wanted to do growing up is something that I ended up doing. During my first week of high school, I went on a tour of a college and found out that the college had the thing I liked as a degree and four years later I was going to that college for the degree.

There were bumps in the road and I ended up going to different colleges but I graduated with a degree in that topic and then even though I kept going to school for a different degree, I kept working in that one area that I always wanted to do.

Right now I'm working in one area just to make money but I still do the things that I always wanted to do (and I make even more money from doing those things)
I haven't really experienced that because the thing that I always wanted to do growing up is something that I ended up doing. During my first week of high school, I went on a tour of a college and found out that the college had the thing I liked as a degree and four years later I was going to that college for the degree.

There were bumps in the road and I ended up going to different colleges but I graduated with a degree in that topic and then even though I kept going to school for a different degree, I kept working in that one area that I always wanted to do.

Right now I'm working in one area just to make money but I still do the things that I always wanted to do (and I make even more money from doing those things)
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Affected by 'Laziness Syndrome'

Registered: 09-25-13
Location: Inaba
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01-18-23 09:04 PM
Slyshiyoshi is Offline
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Oh boy does this hurt, especially since that's me but less so to a Degree. This might be a bit of a long one since i have a lot to say regarding my job so sit back and relax...

My 2nd job ever was working at a Gas Station, a bit more over minimum wage and get a 25 Cent Raise at least every 3 months, except the first year of working which you get a dollar raise after that year. Seemingly good people to work with, all the members who worked with me at that gas station were extremely nice people and got to befriend a few of them who were pretty optimistic. I got fairly decent hours (I usually asked for less then 40 since I wasn't wanting to push so much onto me since this was only my second job.) And was within walking distance of my house. That right there really made or break the job for me as I don't have a car nor a drivers license and having to get a taxi or one of my relatives to drive me to work every day seemed like a bit of a nightmare. This was perfect for me and I got night shifts as well which really suited my nocturnal tenancies.


It only took about 2 Months for things to go South. We were being called in to work at the Gas Station that was further away because employees there were dropping out and leaving. It wasn't exactly the worst thing to me yet, but slowly I quickly started to realize how much more taxing this place was. It was a lot bigger, there was way more s*** to clean, a lot more people to tend to. The worst part was there was a part of the gas station that wasn't anything I was used to which was the scale for Trucks and Larger Vehicles. I was being told to basically learn it in a day and that's all the time I got with it. Not exactly a great introduction to this place but I'm sure with them being short staffed they didn't really have the time to teach me the ropes exactly so I kinda pushed through.

Then all of a sudden they start scheduling me for the day, giving me 6 day Weeks, basically giving me no time for myself and Sometimes on the edge of being awake before I get pushed into having to work again. It was miserable.

There was one time at the other Gas Station where, I kid you not, It was just me to one side and another person who was supposed to be working the BBQ Shack that was apart of the Gas Station up there. This was one of the busiest days ever because the Fair was in town and Multitudes of people came in. Since I was literally the only person working at that section I had to politely ask the person at the other section to help me because I was basically having a mental breakdown on sight. This didn't break me, just made me slightly reconsider working there

Finally after months though the place there had gotten staff there and finally I was free to work back at the Gas Station that was actually the place I applied for! Great news you'd think of course, but things still only got worse for me.

I started becoming a recluse due to how much I was being pushed and nearly fell asleep on the job a multitude of times cause I barely could sleep properly, I basically had multiple anxiety attacks at times and had to call off work due to them, crying to myself and wondering where the hell I went wrong. I was the textbook definition of a mess and yet I still thought of pushing forward because why should I quit? There's no reason to, it's not like you can get a new job that you'd actually like. There was no winning with myself.

Then the straw to me that broke the camel's back, I one day finally came to my senses telling myself that this job was bringing everything I enjoyed and loved and crumbling it down. I really just wanted to get out of there. I already was considering it before hand but with how things were going for me I just wanted to end it there. I stepped into my Managers office, I told them that I'm going to be doing my two weeks, and started working full time as an artist.

Essentially to say, what happened to me wasn't because of the job to a degree but it was because I started to become mentally unstable and needed to get away from that place. I still have at least a good relationship with some of the people I worked with and to me I won't forget the things I had learned while working there. I just felt my time there was done and I was better useful elsewhere.

A lot of the people I made friends with there as employees moved on and got other jobs or further their careers and all. As for me, being an artist has probably been the best thing I could of done for myself mentally. While I don't make a lot of money I do still suffice and can say I'm a lot better off then I was a year back. The main goal in mind for me was to get to a better place and to focus on money later. I feel like I accomplished that.
Oh boy does this hurt, especially since that's me but less so to a Degree. This might be a bit of a long one since i have a lot to say regarding my job so sit back and relax...

My 2nd job ever was working at a Gas Station, a bit more over minimum wage and get a 25 Cent Raise at least every 3 months, except the first year of working which you get a dollar raise after that year. Seemingly good people to work with, all the members who worked with me at that gas station were extremely nice people and got to befriend a few of them who were pretty optimistic. I got fairly decent hours (I usually asked for less then 40 since I wasn't wanting to push so much onto me since this was only my second job.) And was within walking distance of my house. That right there really made or break the job for me as I don't have a car nor a drivers license and having to get a taxi or one of my relatives to drive me to work every day seemed like a bit of a nightmare. This was perfect for me and I got night shifts as well which really suited my nocturnal tenancies.


It only took about 2 Months for things to go South. We were being called in to work at the Gas Station that was further away because employees there were dropping out and leaving. It wasn't exactly the worst thing to me yet, but slowly I quickly started to realize how much more taxing this place was. It was a lot bigger, there was way more s*** to clean, a lot more people to tend to. The worst part was there was a part of the gas station that wasn't anything I was used to which was the scale for Trucks and Larger Vehicles. I was being told to basically learn it in a day and that's all the time I got with it. Not exactly a great introduction to this place but I'm sure with them being short staffed they didn't really have the time to teach me the ropes exactly so I kinda pushed through.

Then all of a sudden they start scheduling me for the day, giving me 6 day Weeks, basically giving me no time for myself and Sometimes on the edge of being awake before I get pushed into having to work again. It was miserable.

There was one time at the other Gas Station where, I kid you not, It was just me to one side and another person who was supposed to be working the BBQ Shack that was apart of the Gas Station up there. This was one of the busiest days ever because the Fair was in town and Multitudes of people came in. Since I was literally the only person working at that section I had to politely ask the person at the other section to help me because I was basically having a mental breakdown on sight. This didn't break me, just made me slightly reconsider working there

Finally after months though the place there had gotten staff there and finally I was free to work back at the Gas Station that was actually the place I applied for! Great news you'd think of course, but things still only got worse for me.

I started becoming a recluse due to how much I was being pushed and nearly fell asleep on the job a multitude of times cause I barely could sleep properly, I basically had multiple anxiety attacks at times and had to call off work due to them, crying to myself and wondering where the hell I went wrong. I was the textbook definition of a mess and yet I still thought of pushing forward because why should I quit? There's no reason to, it's not like you can get a new job that you'd actually like. There was no winning with myself.

Then the straw to me that broke the camel's back, I one day finally came to my senses telling myself that this job was bringing everything I enjoyed and loved and crumbling it down. I really just wanted to get out of there. I already was considering it before hand but with how things were going for me I just wanted to end it there. I stepped into my Managers office, I told them that I'm going to be doing my two weeks, and started working full time as an artist.

Essentially to say, what happened to me wasn't because of the job to a degree but it was because I started to become mentally unstable and needed to get away from that place. I still have at least a good relationship with some of the people I worked with and to me I won't forget the things I had learned while working there. I just felt my time there was done and I was better useful elsewhere.

A lot of the people I made friends with there as employees moved on and got other jobs or further their careers and all. As for me, being an artist has probably been the best thing I could of done for myself mentally. While I don't make a lot of money I do still suffice and can say I'm a lot better off then I was a year back. The main goal in mind for me was to get to a better place and to focus on money later. I feel like I accomplished that.
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Totodile Enthusiast


Affected by 'Laziness Syndrome'

Registered: 10-16-19
Last Post: 250 days
Last Active: 193 days

Post Rating: 2   Liked By: Tafarijah, Zlinqx,

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