Posted by allisonm on September 13, 2000, at 19:25:47
In reply to Re: followup, posted by Phil on September 13, 2000, at 6:50:30
>Hopefully you are well paid for putting yourself through all that pressure.
I work in academe -- no high pay there. In fact, I took a pay cut to work there after leaving my previous horrible job. Four years later have just reached the pay level I was at at the company. The atmosphere of a university has been worth giving up some money. After awhile, if you hate your job, money doesn't matter. If you find a job you really like after hating a job, money is not so important.
> When I left that company, I had no sense of who I was or what the hell my life was about.
I know that feeling very well. I have felt that way for a number of years now since I left the last company (Gannett) and also tried to work a short time in the family business. In this job, my work was finally appreciated, and everyone was nice and respectful. My work also is for a good cause -- education.> I never realized that, coming from an alcoholic home, made the chaos and pressure of that job feel 'normal'. I thrived on the adrenaline. It almost killed me and, in the end, did kill my spirit.
I grew up with my alcoholic mom and grandparents. She just died two years ago at 62. I excaped that household and went to college to go into newspaper journalism (editing), which can be very stressful. I still thrive on the adrenaline, but when one is taken for granted or mistreated, yes, the spirit is broken. I thought my spirit had been renewed with this job. I liked it very much and believed in what I was doing. Now I am standing back, seeing what it has become. There still is a chance to regain those feelings, but the door is closing, I think. Depends on what my boss and the administration do next.> All I'm saying is TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. You don't have to prove you can take more and more pressure.
Good point. There is a lot of pride in that, for me. Never wanting to give in and say I can't do something...not ever saying "no." Of course, no one wants to hear no...> Sorry if this sounds preachy but self-care has to be a big part of our recovery.
You're not preachy. You are right.Thanks, Phil!
poster:allisonm
thread:469
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20000813/msgs/537.html