I had lunch with my dad today and we discussed the cruel realities of life in this economy. I had already started applying for jobs a couple weeks ago, and am feeling more desperate than ever before. I teared up multiple times at lunch, all the while thinking "keep it together man!"
I'm just not loving adulthood right now and am having uncomfortable growing pains. I need to let go of any and all expectations I had for this stage of my life, because they're just not happening. I need to embrace some sort of new normal, but I don't even know what that is yet.
**Are you making ends meet?
Are you having growing pains?
Have you had to embrace a new normal?**
Are you having growing pains?
Have you had to embrace a new normal?**
Comment Window Tidbit: It felt like a cool, Fall day today and I loved it!
29 comments:
Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!
I'm definitely experiencing growing pains, and while this time in my life is really exciting, it's also really intimidating (especially in this economy).
One of my favorite lyrics says, "Well, I should not have found it strange that growing causes growing pains." In the moments when growing pains are particularly painful, I try to remember that eventually I'll come out on top. Sometimes, though, remembering that is hard when you're trying to find a new normal.
You can do it!
I hear ya...I think that we are all feeling the pinch in this economy and whatever expectations we had we just have to be grateful for what we have.
Continue to apply and have faith that something will turn up.
Trying to get reality to reach the ideal is my daily challenge. Yes, yes, many things in life have turned out differently than I imagined. Good luck growing and paining and finding a normal. I'm still looking too.
Have you applied with the school district? Then you'd have the same schedule as your kids. From my experience as a SLP, they are often looking for aides for special ed. students, something I could see you excelling in. GOOD LUCK!
It's sweet that you got to go eat with your dad, and you crack me up that even in your heartache you told yourself to keep it together man! There is that cliche going around on facebook about assuming everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle so be kind. It's so very true. I am learning that there might not be such a thing as normal, or at least the majority of people don't get to live that life. Good luck my friend. I hope you find a perfect job. Any employer would be lucky to have you.
Oh, thank you. I feel the same way. Motherhood has thrown me for a loop and it was NOT what I signed up for. Totally miserable in this stage of life. I can understand your "growing pains" too. It's hard to wrap your head around a curve ball.
I'm feeling pained for you. It just feels wrong. But I will try to exercise my faith that whatever needs to happen will and will be for your good.
I've had to face new normals, but I don't know about embracing...
I refuse to call it my my new "normal" - I am always waiting to get "done/through" it and back to normal. Perhaps that is my first problem.
Life definitely hasn't turned out like I expected. I don't really like to admit that because it sounds ungrateful...
I am so thankful for small trials because I don't know how those with big ones are doing it. It freaks me out to see all the hard things going on. I haven't thought about having growing pains but that could be because I am only growing in the physical size department... I think I have come to a halt in any sort of progress.
We are making ends meet... which continually shocks me and make me grateful. It just takes so much darn work to do it and then I complain so much that it doesn't feel like it sometimes. Maybe Jimmy should have answered his post... I know life isn't turning out like he thought either but he isn't complaining and just doing it. Hmmmm.
I'm sorry things are rough... I hope they will get better soon. I think the economy has affected most. I hate the thought of you getting a job... which is dumb... other people seem to do it and like it. I just feel like we should still be hanging out with the kids and scrapbooking.... apparently I need to update my reality.
Sheesh. Sorry. I should be in bed... I didn't realize how far my rambling had gone until I published. Maybe I can copy and paste that and have my own post!
PS - I'm glad you got to go to lunch with your dad. That is a nice perk to having him live nearby.
I'm officially leaving your blog... to pay my bills at 4am. Maybe the fog of the early morning will soften the blow... I will let you know...
i had a visit with my dad yesterday, during which i found myself in that "keep it together, man" frame of mind.
making ends meet? sometimes.
experiencing growing pains? i hadn't thought of it that way, but i think that describes it pretty well.
embracing a new normal? i'm "dealing" with a new normal, but i don't think i've quite "embraced" it yet...
I love that it felt like fall yesterday. I know it won't last but I wish it would.
I feel like I have been telling myself to keep it together for quite a while and I'm not doing a good job at it.
Couponing helps me stay on budget tremendously. I don't always enjoy doing it, but the rewards out weigh the work hands down.
I'm definitely having some growing pains, in more way than one. I think with school I have been trying to embrace a new normal with all of Jason's crazy study stuff, but it in the back of my mind I'm really just looking toward the end of the light.
ps, Ryan was in here while I was reading your blog and he asked if you could come to my house and play! I tell ya, you have a spell over him. He really likes you!
That is a great picture of you and your Dad adn I think it is sweet that you went to lunch together.
I am so sorry things are rough for you. This economy is so scary right now and it seems to be getting worse and worse. I don't think anyone has been unaffected by it. And "embrace a new normal"? something I have never been good at it....the life changes and stages have always been tough for me.
Like many others, I'm dealing with a new normal but have not embraced it yet. In fact- I'm not even sure what normal right now is supposed to be for me.
Sorry about the discomfort and cruelties of life. They are reality.
Cute photo!
This post makes me realize (again) that we all have growing pains. I have been very emotional about having to work at the end of this pregnancy and with knowing that I will return to work full-time when the baby arrives. I was home with Luci until she was 3 and even when I worked while Griffin was an infant, it was 16 hours a week at my church and Griffin went with me until he was almost one. But working outside the home is good for me as well as of course affording us things we otherwise wouldn't have. It's my security. You know I struggle with wanting my kids to also "have" me as much as kids have their moms who don't work outside the home. I feel lucky that I am still able to do fieldtrips, lunch at schools, volunteer for class parties etc. But I still struggle.
How nice to be able to talk some of this over with your dad.
Jill, I'm sorry you are having a rough time. I think even sometimes when you want to embrace a new normal that it's still a hard thing. Be patient with yourself. I have definitely been there, and it just takes time. Time and the realization that you *can* do this, you *are* doing this, and you are stronger because of it. You are definitely loved, and I hope you feel that despite the struggles.
I'm so sorry that you are having these struggles and uncomfortable growing pains when you didn't expect them.
Trust that God is working through your situation and He will bring you through it. It's hard to understand His methods sometimes though.
With the possible end of the Space Shuttle program next year we may have to embrace a new normal too.
I'm excited to experience Fall here - hope it is lovely..
Fun that you were able to go to lunch with your Dad. I love that you always think to take a photo. I am so bad at that!
I don't know what 'normal' is anymore. Honestly - the economy has taken its toll on so many that I love. We have changed our lives as well and have lost a bit along the way. But I am SO grateful that we are employed again (after a year) - but there is no 'normal' anymore.Anything and everything can change in a moments notice..
So many thoughts with the comments to this post. I have really enjoyed reading this! I have to agree - school system first so at least you can be home when the kids are off.
Good luck. You CAN do hard things. And like Kelly said, you ARE doing hard things. You are a great example. TRUST in the Lord - do all that you can and He will provide you with an opportunity.
Hugs
I, too, am dealing with a new normal and having to embrace the fact that my life will never be the same again. Why is life so flippin hard?
I'm sorry about having to get a job. It may turn out to be something you really love. Maybe not, either way, you'll be forced to grow and these experiences really do refine us into stronger people.
I love that you go to lunch with your dad. The only bright spot to my situation is that me and my dad have become very close after years of awkwardness. Your dad is darling.
Life seems to be all about cruel realities for me as well, lately...
I wish I had some words of comfort for you, Jill...everyone else had really great things to say...I feel kind of numb and brain dead, so I'll just ditto what they all said...how's that for lame brain?!
oh Jill...
You are loved!
I know this doesn't make it easier, but you are in the company of millions of people feeling the very same way right now.
We are certainly not where we thought we would be at this age/stage. Salaries cut, cut, cut, bonuses almost non-existent, etc.
It is OK to cry and feel sad, yet
you are doing the right thing to talk about it and being pro active in looking for a job.
The right situation will come and this will be a season you can look back on and draw strenth from.
Economic problems are always frustrating! We're often grateful that Jeff has a job but last year things still got really tight. With five kids and the medical bills from Mark's birth it felt like we were drowning in debt. It has taken a lot of work to get to the point where we finally have a handle on things but even then we often feel like we are taking one step forward and two steps back.
Sending prayers your way!
it is like fall here as well.
Making ends meet? well, yes, thanks to my husband who works 2 full time jobs. We dont' see him, except for 5 min before he walks out the door.
I am going to school full time, although I have less than a year left, it is incredibly hard.. hard doing it basically as a single mom, and not at all where I thought I would be. For sure a new reality. It is tough. In a gazillion ways..... but we keep plugging along... I look for the blessings.. which there a ton of.. thank goodness.
The new normal. I like that.
I'm thinking that health insurance will always be a killer for us. I'd like to say that, "Life isn't fair" is no longer in my vocab.....but it's not.
I'm sorry. Love, Bree
well, i think i wrote more than enough on your last post.
one of the reasons i've kept my life pinned here in dc is that the economy and job market have stayed fairly stable. i don't care what any of those stupid studies say, utah's job market SUCKS. if you aren't in IT, or manufacturing, or vitamins/magic juices from tahiti, and, heaven forbid, you want to make more than $15 an hour as a full-grown adult, you're straight out of luck. it's always struck me as funny that a state full of professed Christians wouldn't pay liveable wages to their employees. everyone wants to be rich, but they want to nickel and dime their workers. it's pathetic.
Finding that new normal is so so hard. I see it kind of like this (this may be totally off the wall) When I was a teenager, I was plagued with worry and guilt about sins of comission, you know, staying chaste, not drinking, NOT doing bad things. I thought, as soon asI get married, those things are going to go away. WEll, sort of. Now I am plagued with worry by sins of OMISSION, the things I must do to make my life right with my Father in Heaven, reading my scriptures, getting to sacrament meeting on time when that snooze bar is so dice to push, etc. In many ways, I thought my life would be different now than it is. I have few complaints, but the ones I have feel as though they could kill me some days.
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