Trouble Sleeping
I can’t sleep. I’m writing this post all riled up. I guess my bout of insomnia is a mixture of things. I was off today for Columbus Day and I basically stayed in my house since Friday evening.
I’ve managed to at least feel like I did something constructive, by getting some car repairs done and applying to two more awesome jobs. One of the jobs is with an organization I’ve applied to about four times now. Geez.
The anxiety of job-hunting is maddening. As the days go by, I find myself getting more and more antsy. More and more dissatisfied. My faith is wavering. I’m trying to pray more. My heart beats faster as I try to sleep. I’ve been sleeping with low classical music in the background to calm my psyche.
Something has to give soon.
Anyway, with so much time to myself, it’s horribly easy to get into a funk, ask yourself questions about what you’ve done wrong in life and watch “Dirty Dancing” then almost killing an entire regular can of Pringles over the course of two days.
I’ve been thinking over a bunch of things.
My career/path.
My romantic life. Ironically, one dude who I turned down last year has popped up to ask me how I’m doing. Another sweetheart of a guy, but I just didn’t feel that chemistry on my end.
Was it a reminder that I’m shallow and ridiculous and destined to be alone I am because I keep relying on that feeling I get (the same feeling I knew I felt but still wound up hurt in the end).
It made me revisit and text the guy who makes my blood boil, yet toes curl. He was still up for a little fun and the exchange of dirty messages.
But as I edge closer to a year of no physical lovin, I want it to be right. I don’t want it to suck. I don’t want to get emotionally reckless with the handsome, intelligent, toe-curler, who sends me mixed messages.
One of my good male friends sat in my living room last night, determined to help me at least get out of the house and see a movie and told me, my expectations for awesome sex after my hiatus is a horrible idea.
He’s probably right. I’m also glad that he brought a bottle of champagne. His champagne and conversation did help make me feel better. I returned the favor by making ribs and chicken.
I also thought to myself, I have a couple of close male friends I love dearly and I’m super comfortable with them. I can say anything and they are accepting, they see me as a lady still (I can be raunchy) and they always laugh at my jokes. They get me.
If only the men I’m attracted to were like my close male friends.
Back to the other stuff.
I feel like everything is changing around me so quickly, but the optimism I had as a young 20-something who can take on the world, has certainly subsided.
You couldn’t tell me no. I saved rejection letters from publications I dreamed of writing for.
Because I knew I’d show them all.
And there are some accomplishments I’ve had that totally certified and validated me and I’m so thankful for them. What a ride.
But what’s in me right now? What is inside of me?
I keep trying to push, but it’s been tough. I feel worn out. I don’t know if it is me getting older and jaded, or if that thing in me that motivated people to say yes, is gone.
How did I get people to say yes?
Do I have to start lowering my salary requirements?
I shouldn’t have to. I’ve worked so hard for years. I deserve what I’m asking for.
Can I find a balance between money, career, the business I want to nurture and grow?
Who are my allies? How do I build new ones?
Who and what inspires me? How do I ramp up the inspiration?
I was a little girl who told people I’d be president and I’d be in the White House one day. I did it as a reporter while an intern in college and then later on with another news organization.
I’ve got to find that person again. No is never an option. I say I’m going to do something I will.
In my high school yearbook, my footnote for my senior photo said, the world was going to read my words. They have.
Something has to happen. While I’m disillusioned with mainstream journalism, I have to believe my job that blends writing and health advocacy is just around the corner and that one of these several jobs in that area will choose me. It has to happen.
That’s been the pattern of my life.
About six years ago, shortly after wanting to step into four lanes of traffic because I wanted a few days in the hospital and not wanting to go into a job I hated, an opportunity presented itself. I didn’t want to die, I just wanted a break. I watched the cars whiz by, and I was so tempted to just step in. Folks think I’m so strong.
And when I tell that story, they are shocked.
But that’s just it. We all get tired. We all feel like our problems, our inadequacies, they are all too much. And even though fighting through it is the “right” thing to do, and what we’re supposed to do, sometimes the effort it takes to just stand, keep our eyes open and even ball our fists takes everything you have.
Sometimes the most absurd thing like stepping into the street and getting a few days in the hospital sounds like peace.
We all think these thoughts in some kind of way. It may not be as far as self harm or suicide. It may be staying in bed with the covers over your head and not going to work. It could be ignoring your crying kids, or eating fast food in your car alone. Sometimes, we just get tired. We don’t want to be responsible, we want to be selfish, because fighting through is too tiring. It’s too tiring.
When another job seemed to be too much but paid too little, and I paid for my gas with couch change and I went to sleep hungry because I had to use my entire paycheck for rent, an opportunity presented itself.
I’m not in as dire a situation as the ones I’ve mentioned, and I certainly don’t want things to get that bad, but each and every time, just before I was at the very end of my mental and emotional rope, a window was cracked and I got out to the other side.
I’m hoping that the way I feel right now. This weariness, this tiredness means I’m toward the end of the battle and that the change I’m looking for, the bright side I’m aching for is just within reach.
29tolife 
I do love your columns in so many ways — I can relate on so many levels. Other than our differing political views, you remind me of myself when I was your age! 🙂 My only piece of advice is you should ask yourself, which is more important to you at this point in your life, the job or the salary? I do think they are equally important, but if you find a job you LOVE, I mean LOVE, LOVE… Love like you love yourself, love like you love your family… The money will follow. So you may want to opt for a temporary salary cut if it is a job/career you see yourself in permanently. But you should try to negotiate that as part of your interview/job acceptance conversations (as in “this is where I want to be financially in 5 years…”) It is a risk, I admit. But you are searching for a job in a job market that is not in your favor right now, so your salary requirements may be leaving you out for final consideration (I really don’t know though). I did take a pay cut once to get my foot in the door and it has paid of tenfold. My career is a part of my life that I couldn’t imagine living without. And my salary is beyond what I think I deserve sometimes… Because I would seriously volunteer for this line of work. I am truly blessed in my professional life. But it did not come without risk.
If you are just looking for a change and not a career you love necessarily, then stick to your guns on your salary requirements. But these are decisions you have to make on your own.
Best of luck to you. I wish you the best!
Thank you for the encouraging words. There have been times where I may have taken risks including taking a job in the north for the same pay I had in the south where the cost of living was lower. It was a huge risk, but it did lay the foundation for the direction of my career. You make some good points. This is a very tough market right now, but I do think my requirements aren’t bad, along with my experience, but if I went a bit lower, it wouldn’t be devastating. Thanks. Didn’t look at it from that angle.