early twenties confused

5 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 4,2024 at 12:55AM UTC

   I am in the US, so very different. I am 55 and could not dream of telling you what to do, but… In my youth, I believed in work, work, work! I drove myself hard, even after kiddos. But now I am so burnt out. To me it seems like you can have both, you just need to plan when.

2. AnonymousJuly 4,2024 at 1:20AM UTC

   Listen, and maybe I feel like this because I am older, but enjoy your life because when you get older you will look back and think, crap I missed out on this and missed out on that because I was working. Yea I was making money, but I never made enough to make up for time losses. These days and times, all people think about is, money this, money that. You can have all the money in the world and that’s perfectly fine, if that is your dream, but when you wake up, make sure you have made memories that you can hold on to forever. Money & memories leave, but which do you value the most? Mentally, look forward, but then, mentally look back and ask yourself do you have any regrets about your decision? It is not about money Love, so look past the money and make your decision. That’s for you to figure out. Well wishes on what you have accomplished though and, umm welcome to life!

3. AnonymousJuly 4,2024 at 4:52AM UTC

   You could consider remote work or consulting since you are clearly valuable to your current company. Try and at least have the discussion.

4. Maggie SoldanoJuly 4,2024 at 2:11PM UTC

   I'm so sorry. It sounds like you're really missing your support network. I can relate to that. Maybe just start to look for positions in your field closer to home? Sometimes just the act of looking for work where your friends and family are can be reassuring that what you're going through is temporary. Hang in there!

5. AnonymousJuly 4,2024 at 5:10PM UTC

   Hi,

   Your life must be made up of something other than going to work and returning home in the evenings.

   I did some googling and realized that Belfast has a larger population and size than Galway. Therefore, I understand why you believe you might not find a comparable opportunity in Galway.

   You have already noticed that my first statement is true because you mention that you are homesick and have no support system. That "support system" you are referring to is what keeps people healthy, mentally and physically. At any age (20s, 30s, 40s…), you need more than just work in your life to feel whole.

   You might believe that going home will make you whole (gaining access to your support system), and for some, that might be true. Some could return home and spend their lives happily close to their support system. However, some could return home, and years later, the inner need to grow and feel challenged professionally eventually eats away at their spirit.

   Therefore, before you return to Galway, ask yourself what you have done to become a part of the Belfast community. For example, Churches have groups with various focuses like charity work where you could do some good and meet some great people. Go back to your university and get involved in the Alum activities. Try volunteering at the local library, hospital, or a non-profit. Any of these actions will help you to become ingrained in the community and help you build a support system.

   Remember, as we age, our support systems will change as our needs develop. Many people experience being homesick as they age but filling that void with a great support system and, of course, taking vacation time to go home is how we grow.

   Listen, I'm in the US and know what small-town America is, and I know my preferences. In high school, I read works by Shakespeare and have forever embraced one line from Hamlet: " To thine own self, be true."

   Good luck….