GenX Feeling Lost

Anonymous

March 12,2024 at 7:19PM UTC

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GenX Feeling Lost

I graduated from college in the mid-90s with a BA in Media Studies. I was an advertising copywriter for 15 years. I quit working when I got pregnant with our second child. My husband's job transferred us around quite a bit. We eventually wound up building a home in a very small town. He traveled quite frequently for work so we chose small-town life over big city. Five years ago I took a job at a small non-profit office at a summer camp/retreat center. The position is not advertising-related, it is very admin.

My husband's job has always been the breadwinner. I only went back to work because our children (at the time were preteens) didn't need a stay-at-home mom anymore.

Fast forward to today. I run the database and am the registrar for the camp. I book retreats and weddings. Do the billing for said events. However, I work in a pretty toxic environment and would love to leave but I'm stuck. I live in a small town and try to look for remote jobs but I am not qualified for anything. I never felt old until I started actively looking for a job. I don't even know how to make myself marketable anymore.

To top all this off my husband got let go from his job. This is my worst nightmare. We are dab smack in the middle of multiple car payments, a mortgage, private school payments, and the list goes on.

I want to be able to provide for my family but I don't even know how. I am also getting very depressed about my self-worth and my outlook on the future. I am open to any and all suggestions or help.

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AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 7:52PM UTC
I think first and foremost you need to truly understand that this is not your fault. You have raised your family and contributed towards your lifestyle. Your husband also worked hard to provide for the family.
So once you have a true understanding of your current situation that is no one's fault you can then get strategic. Break down your plan to address each task/goal. To properly position yourself for your next job, you need a great resume. You can either work on your new resume on your own or with help. You might consider a career coach to not only address your resume but maybe cast a broader net using your experience and skills. You should probably research roles and responsibilities that utilize your transferable skills make start networking to learn more about some of the titles you are interested in.
Your next task will be to address your mental health and well-being. There are so many online resources available that can help you explore simple changes in routine and structure to help you get started. I started by reading blogs and adding some walking meditations. After that I explored nutritional advice and finally pilates and therapy. It was a journey but fortified me on my quest for health, wellness and a new job. Took a year of rebuilding (active engaged with commitment) my interior life and exterior plan.
Remember, it's a process that you control so timing and pace is completely up to you.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 9:04PM UTC
I truly sincerely want to believe the economy is good (no TFG!), but the reality is everywhere I look people are being laid off or otherwise losing their jobs.
I don't know where all the jobs are but they're not in our field.
Star7March 14,2024 at 3:11AM UTC
Yes, the truth is not being told to the public how bad things are, and going to be. There is no way, we can be in debt for TRILLIONS and be okay as a country. I always tell folks to do a quick search to get a visual on how much just $1 Trillion is, when stacking dollar bills. We will never be able to repay this...the interest and service on the debt now I heard is like $1T for the next 3 Months. It saddens me when I am reading these stories on here about people being let go. The people, us Americans have to fix this mess, not those in public service. I am exploring parallel economy business ideas. It's on my to-do. Tired of it all, too.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 10:16PM UTC
Sorry but I received 2 very helpful sessions with a career coach for free. It jump started my job search strategy which in turn helped land the position I have today. Sometimes it helps just getting the broad strokes to get you started.
But way to offer some great suggestions!
AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 7:13PM UTC
Share the 411 on the free career coaches!
c dhMarch 13,2024 at 12:10AM UTC
I'm glad I'm not the only one. Side hustle here we come!
AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 11:24AM UTC
^^^this^^^
thank you
AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 11:17AM UTC
I understand. I got out of an abusive marriage 10 years ago and re-entered the work force around the same time. It is hard to not feel old.
AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 5:31PM UTC
You are not unmarketable. Build up your resume based upon skills, sign up for every temp company and look at places where there are startups and remote companies looking for someone to do operational work and to juggle many things at once. You can do this and should be able to take all that transferrable history you have and wrap it in a bow for other places. Also consider customer support roles, and remote Exec Admin ones too, they pay well and often give tons of flexibility on hours to work.
AnonymousMarch 18,2024 at 6:47PM UTC
And speaking of unmarketable... when I left the advertising world 15 years ago hardly any of it was online. Now? And when I go to apply for these jobs they're all looking for some killer online portfolio. I don't have that! Mine is in a nice leather portfolio. I am having flashes of handing it to the interviewer and them taking it, looking at it like a teenager today would look at a rotary phone!