Comments on: Time for a quarter-life crisis http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html A less crappy personal finance blog Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:26:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: -Shirt http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1831 -Shirt Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:53:58 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1831 I currently have a 55 mile commute each way to work, so there's a lot of driving time there which lets my mind wander. Three days ago I was in the middle lane at a happy speed when this voice in the back of my head (think automated cinema phone service; "press 1 for opening hours; press 2 for ticket prices...") said "I am driving to work!" I freaked out so badly I ended up in a different lane and nearly drove into the back of a pickup truck. The inside of my head was saying that this couldn't be because I'm still 16 and haven't got a driving licence, never mind a job. My girlfriend thinks I haven't grown up either, though that may have different reasons for it... I currently have a 55 mile commute each way to work, so there's a lot of driving time there which lets my mind wander.

Three days ago I was in the middle lane at a happy speed when this voice in the back of my head (think automated cinema phone service; "press 1 for opening hours; press 2 for ticket prices…") said "I am driving to work!"

I freaked out so badly I ended up in a different lane and nearly drove into the back of a pickup truck. The inside of my head was saying that this couldn't be because I'm still 16 and haven't got a driving licence, never mind a job.

My girlfriend thinks I haven't grown up either, though that may have different reasons for it…

]]> By: Alicia http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1765 Alicia Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:29:42 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1765 The grass is certainly greener. I spent 5 years after I graduated job hopping as a server and bartender, etc, traveling and trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. It is quite difficult now to explain this in interviews. While I wouldn't miss the travel for anything, I do wish I had a more streamlined resume. Now at 27 I am starting over where you started at 22. Wiser, yes and with some excellent experiences but with the knowledge that I am not qualified to do much. So Enjoy the fact that if you did not have this steady job you would stress about other stuff: instability, no health insurance, no 401k, no security, etc. The quarter-life crisis is bad either way. I enjoy your blog and hope to be joining you in the ranks of the gainfully employed non-profit or government worker soon! The grass is certainly greener. I spent 5 years after I graduated job hopping as a server and bartender, etc, traveling and trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. It is quite difficult now to explain this in interviews. While I wouldn’t miss the travel for anything, I do wish I had a more streamlined resume. Now at 27 I am starting over where you started at 22. Wiser, yes and with some excellent experiences but with the knowledge that I am not qualified to do much. So Enjoy the fact that if you did not have this steady job you would stress about other stuff: instability, no health insurance, no 401k, no security, etc. The quarter-life crisis is bad either way.

I enjoy your blog and hope to be joining you in the ranks of the gainfully employed non-profit or government worker soon!

]]> By: Shauna http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1728 Shauna Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:57:12 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1728 This happens to me every Sunday night when I bail out on what my friends are doing to go home and do laundry, prepare food, pack my gymbag and clear my mind for the work ahead. It's not just money that being a grown-up invades... This happens to me every Sunday night when I bail out on what my friends are doing to go home and do laundry, prepare food, pack my gymbag and clear my mind for the work ahead. It's not just money that being a grown-up invades…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1724 Anonymous Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:36:13 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1724 just remember, working part time (or 3 part time jobs like I do) does pretty much mean you can take off whenever you want, BUT you are usually too poor to go anywhere anyways.......the grass is always greener on the other side! just remember, working part time (or 3 part time jobs like I do) does pretty much mean you can take off whenever you want, BUT you are usually too poor to go anywhere anyways…….the grass is always greener on the other side!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1723 Anonymous Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:27:52 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1723 I have been working full time since I graduated , but have bounced around with a part time job on top of that since I started. BuildABear, bookstores. Recently my fulltime job has switched to rotating hours, some weeks 6-3, 7-4, 8-5, 9-6,10-7 and that has really helped me adjust. I love being able to sleep in some days and get home early some days. If I could earn as much as I do now with 2 part time jobs, I would do it in a heartbeat I think.<br /><br />- Courtney<br /><br />And Spongebob is on all weekend, that's when I watch it! I have been working full time since I graduated , but have bounced around with a part time job on top of that since I started. BuildABear, bookstores. Recently my fulltime job has switched to rotating hours, some weeks 6-3, 7-4, 8-5, 9-6,10-7 and that has really helped me adjust. I love being able to sleep in some days and get home early some days. If I could earn as much as I do now with 2 part time jobs, I would do it in a heartbeat I think.

- Courtney

And Spongebob is on all weekend, that's when I watch it!

]]> By: the Dad@climbingout http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1722 the Dad@climbingout Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:33:12 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1722 I am feeling a boatload of gratitude right now. When I finished High School my folks shipped me off to relatives in Germany for two years... you're right on, it was not only some of the best times of my life, it was a great education too.<br /><br />I say pack up and go. :) I am feeling a boatload of gratitude right now. When I finished High School my folks shipped me off to relatives in Germany for two years… you're right on, it was not only some of the best times of my life, it was a great education too.

I say pack up and go. :)

]]> By: Duddes02 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1721 Duddes02 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:39:10 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1721 Ditto.<br /><br />I worked throughout college full time and since I had such a great resume, I managed to hook myself into an Analyst position at a "great" consulting firm.<br /><br />The job was horrible, I hated the responsiblity, and I cried all the time. I rarely slept well and I traveled too much.<br /><br />I got laid off and I literally took the first job that was offered to me, which most people say is a bad idea. I turned out to be a GREAT IDEA. I'm a lowly Admin Coordinator. I come in a 9 and leave a 5 and just LOVE it. I never think about work when I"m not here. <br /><br />Oddly enough, I got offered my previous salary, so I didn't have to take a pay cut. Ditto.

I worked throughout college full time and since I had such a great resume, I managed to hook myself into an Analyst position at a "great" consulting firm.

The job was horrible, I hated the responsiblity, and I cried all the time. I rarely slept well and I traveled too much.

I got laid off and I literally took the first job that was offered to me, which most people say is a bad idea. I turned out to be a GREAT IDEA. I'm a lowly Admin Coordinator. I come in a 9 and leave a 5 and just LOVE it. I never think about work when I"m not here.

Oddly enough, I got offered my previous salary, so I didn't have to take a pay cut.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1719 Michelle Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:51:03 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1719 Man! I'm 36 and have that feeling about once a week...This week's occassion was that I have to get a crown put on a tooth. What? Am I an old person now?! Ha ha... Man! I'm 36 and have that feeling about once a week…This week's occassion was that I have to get a crown put on a tooth. What? Am I an old person now?! Ha ha…

]]> By: 444 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1718 444 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:38:08 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1718 I'm 44 and just figuring out that I should start acting like an adult because I can't put it off any longer, not gracefully, anyway. I'm 44 and just figuring out that I should start acting like an adult because I can't put it off any longer, not gracefully, anyway.

]]> By: Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/2009/11/time-for-quarter-life-crisis.html#comment-1717 Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:15:47 +0000 http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/?p=213#comment-1717 Ah, Ninja. <br />I read your blog all the time, and have really been feeling these last 2 posts. While I dont want to work a part time job for the flexibility, I wish I could get rid of my "sit behind a computer all day" job and go out and do some real work. Lately, i've been seeking to work for the Railroad as a brakeman or something, or work for a construction company driving heavy machinery. It would be so awesome to drive a tractor or a bulldozer all day instead of sitting in this chair. Ah, Ninja.
I read your blog all the time, and have really been feeling these last 2 posts. While I dont want to work a part time job for the flexibility, I wish I could get rid of my "sit behind a computer all day" job and go out and do some real work. Lately, i've been seeking to work for the Railroad as a brakeman or something, or work for a construction company driving heavy machinery. It would be so awesome to drive a tractor or a bulldozer all day instead of sitting in this chair.

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