Time ain't on our side

[DavidMn]

I was just reading an article in The St.Paul paper today and it talked about people needing to take back time for themselves and their families. WOrking too many hours ETC. I know I used to work 60 hours a week regularly for about 4 years back in the late 90's early 00's. But I dont have children or alot of obligations. SO I was just curious as to what some of you all have to share about your lives in that way. WHat's it like. Harried? never have time for anything it seems like? I remember Stevie on Destiny Rules talking about how people theses days arent worried about their next high or reading Rolling Stone as they are about covering the rent or whatever. So she obviously was thinking about this subject as well.

[jannieC]

I have always been one of those ridiculously harried people. I went to school and worked, full-time both. There was never an extra minute in my days. Even before I met my husband, I was one of those people who just worked all the time. Now that I've graduated (and am on hiatus between school and grad school) I feel an enormous weight off my shoulders. I work part-time now. I'm able to take my son to school AND pick him up in the afternoons. I sit at the kitchen table with him while he does his homework. My family eats dinner together. These are the things that are important to me now. I want to go to graduate school, but I want to spend time with my family and enjoy my life before it's over, you know? Do we have as much money as when I was working like a fiend? Hell no, but it's all about making sacrifices, in my opinion. As long as the bills are paid and everyone is fed- these are my priorities now.

[reebokandlace]

My normal winter routine, barring any travel days or company visiting:

8am – morning walk on the beach
11am – listen to my ipod by the pool or play on computer
1pm – a lovely lunch somewhere on the beach
3pm - read a book or do errands
6pm – watch sunset from balcony
7pm – dinner with friends
9pm – make note of moonlight on water & feel gentle tropical breeze warm my soul
10pm – a blissful night’s sleep

(Repeat daily…)

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I have always been one of those ridiculously harried people. I went to school and worked, full-time both. There was never an extra minute in my days. Even before I met my husband, I was one of those people who just worked all the time. Now that I've graduated (and am on hiatus between school and grad school) I feel an enormous weight off my shoulders. I work part-time now. I'm able to take my son to school AND pick him up in the afternoons. I sit at the kitchen table with him while he does his homework. My family eats dinner together. These are the things that are important to me now. I want to go to graduate school, but I want to spend time with my family and enjoy my life before it's over, you know? Do we have as much money as when I was working like a fiend? Hell no, but it's all about making sacrifices, in my opinion. As long as the bills are paid and everyone is fed- these are my priorities now.

Whatever makes you happy and is good for you family. Good for you!!

[wondergirl9847]

Anyone seen the movie, Fallen? With Denzel? Freaky movie and that song is used creepily.

Anywho. I work at home, on my own terms, when I want, how much I want. I push myself sometimes to make a good check, but overall, I have TONS of free time. I prefer this job even though I make quite a bit less than when I was working full time a couple of years ago. I live at home with my dad too, so very few bills. I help out. Don't judge me!



Some people who are workaholics....I can't even imagine being that way. I don't see work as the be-all, end-all of life. Of course, people who can't make friggin' ends meet have so much stress in their lives, thanks to the way things are right now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I'm sure it's very difficult to have a family and work, balancing that life. I don't want that and I hate stress....even a little bit. LOL

I didn't even have a job until I was 20. Went to college for 2 years, graduated (junior college) and then got my first job at a video store. My parents never pushed me to get a job, they wanted me to study.

We do need to take more time to be with our families and I love the whole European way of thinking in that some countries give people like, 3 months for vacation or something.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by jannieC

These are the things that are important to me now. I want to go to graduate school, but I want to spend time with my family and enjoy my life before it's over, you know?

I do know. That's why I got all my schooling out of the way while childless. The only catch, though, is that I'm nearing 30, still childless and my husband is working on his Ph.D in American Literature so there's NO WAY we can think about having kid(s) until he gets on the job market. I feel like my biological clock is ticking away and it's scary...

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

My normal winter routine, barring any travel days or company visiting:

8am – morning walk on the beach
11am – listen to my ipod by the pool or play on computer
1pm – a lovely lunch somewhere on the beach
3pm - read a book or do errands
6pm – watch sunset from balcony
7pm – dinner with friends
9pm – make note of moonlight on water & feel gentle tropical breeze warm my soul
10pm – a blissful night’s sleep

(Repeat daily…)

You know that's cool that you can live a life like that. Im not jealous at all. I've had a good life myself. Things a re a little bit different these days, but oh well.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

I do know. That's why I got all my schooling out of the way while childless. The only catch, though, is that I'm nearing 30, still childless and my husband is working on his Ph.D in American Literature so there's NO WAY we can think about having kid(s) until he gets on the job market. I feel like my biological clock is ticking away and it's scary...

My "son" is actually my step-son, so I know where you're coming from. 30 is not too old (I'm 37, so I can say that)! I think it's smart to get your schooling out of the way before you have children, but sometimes I wish I had had a child when I was really young. It's always a big balancing act for women. Even though I get sick of hearing Stevie talk about how she sacrificed having children etc., for her career- what she says is true. She could never have been what she was if she had taken the time out to raise a family.

Ok, this post went in many different directions, sorry!

[markolas]

I'm a very Type B personality. Not a go-getter, or career-oriented at all. I work my 37.5 hours a week and I'm done. My goal is to get to the point where I either don't have to work at all, or only have to work part-time (which seems the more realistic of the two).

I'm just not in love with working. There's nothing I feel like I'm "called" to do, as far as that goes, and I have trouble relating to people who "live to work." A lot of trouble. Also, not caring much about having "things" is a part of this. I'm not especially interested in owning a house, or expensive cars or clothes, or other status symbol type things. Other people who are into that make me sick, in fact.

Spiritual and artistic pursuits are what I'm really interested in devoting myself to, full-time. I'm not going to spend any more time shackled to banks or mortgage, credit card, or finance companies. They've gotten all of the money they're going to get out of me, and I won't spend one more minute of my life working to pay them just so I can keep up with the Joneses. I'll work to keep food in my mouth and a roof over my head, because I have to, but I'll be damned if I'll do it so I can give the money to somebody else for what amounts to no good reason.

End rant.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by markolas

I'm a very Type B personality. Not a go-getter, or career-oriented at all. I work my 37.5 hours a week and I'm done. My goal is to get to the point where I either don't have to work at all, or only have to work part-time (which seems the more realistic of the two).

I'm just not in love with working. There's nothing I feel like I'm "called" to do, as far as that goes, and I have trouble relating to people who "live to work." A lot of trouble. Also, not caring much about having "things" is a part of this. I'm not especially interested in owning a house, or expensive cars or clothes, or other status symbol type things. Other people who are into that make me sick, in fact.

Spiritual and artistic pursuits are what I'm really interested in devoting myself to, full-time. I'm not going to spend any more time shackled to banks or mortgage, credit card, or finance companies. They've gotten all of the money they're going to get out of me, and I won't spend one more minute of my life working to pay them just so I can keep up with the Joneses. I'll work to keep food in my mouth and a roof over my head, because I have to, but I'll be damned if I'll do it so I can give the money to somebody else for what amounts to no good reason.

End rant.

Very well said. I dont consider that rant at all.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Even though I get sick of hearing Stevie talk about how she sacrificed having children etc., for her career- what she says is true. She could never have been what she was if she had taken the time out to raise a family.

Ok, this post went in many different directions, sorry!

Funny how these little life chats always swing back around to talk of Stevie! Yeah, being a woman is tough. Not only do we have to bear the children (can somebody say PAIN??) we also have to make most of the sacrifices too. It sucks.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

Funny how these little life chats always swing back around to talk of Stevie! Yeah, being a woman is tough. Not only do we have to bear the children (can somebody say PAIN??) we also have to make most of the sacrifices too. It sucks.

How about at a sporting event or concert, where the line into the women's crapper is ALWAYS a freakin mile long. That's when I thank my lucky start that I m a male

[reebokandlace]

Originally Posted by markolas

Spiritual and artistic pursuits are what I'm really interested in devoting myself to, full-time.

Good for you!!!! You sound like a very well balanced person...and you have figured out what it often takes a person a lifetime to figure out....life is about you!

I have never heard a dying man say on his death bed "damn, I should have spent more time in the office!"

[DavidMn]

Another thing. Yes I went into debt for the Stevie solo tour this summer, alot in fact, but I got a chacne to see alot of places I hadnt seen before, The Florida Keys, Four Corners, Grand Canyon, Hollywood ETC. maybe it wasnt the most responsible thing to do, but I figure you onlt llive once right?

[wondergirl9847]

I love your "rant", which wasn't a rant at all. I am the same exact way. I want to do my work and leave it. I've never felt "called" to do anything either and have a hard time figuring out what I want in life anyways. Making decisions has always been my Achilles heel. No ambition, no passion, which I wish I had for something (besides loving music so much), it's not really a good thing, but that's just how I am.