The world looks different now that I work from home. When I worked a 9-5 job – though I never had those hours – I sidelined my wide range of interests.
Over the last few months, though, I’ve been able to indulge in parenting, gardening, photography, hiking (though I become a hermit during the Arizona summer,) and reading. More importantly, I’ve been able to consider my future rather than letting events dictate them.
Well, that’s not entirely true. Dropping off and picking up two kids in school control my destiny as much as anything. But at least I have the freedom to consider the possibilities for the first time in years.
Should I:
- Go back to college for a degree in sustainability?
- Take a chance on writing a novel or screenplay?
- Become an organic grower for farmer’s markets?
- Keep fighting for a career in journalism?
- Start a business that actually makes money?
- Should I get a dreary job that pays really, really well (presuming I can get one.)?
I feel much like I did before I settled on journalism in my early teens. So many choices!
But as a mid-40s dad, there is a consideration that teens often don’t worry about: commitment. As a generalist, it’s not easy to lock myself down, but whatever I do next will probably last into my 70s. So it’s easy to hide by indulging in the possibilities rather than picking a fate.
But time is running out. I need to start making a meaningful living again – we’re tired of spending our hard-earned savings in this down economy. And without an income, we’ll never be able to provide our kids with music, gymnastic lessons or food for that matter.
I just hope I make the right decision.
The world looks different now that I work from home. When I worked a 9-5 job – though I never had those hours – I sidelined my wide range of interests.
Over the last few months, though, I’ve been able to indulge in parenting, gardening, photography, hiking (though I become a hermit during the Arizona summer,) and reading. More importantly, I’ve been able to consider my future rather than letting events dictate them.
Well, that’s not entirely true. Dropping off and picking up two kids in school control my destiny as much as anything. But at least I have the freedom to consider the possibilities for the first time in years.
Should I:
I feel much like I did before I settled on journalism in my early teens. So many choices!
But as a mid-40s dad, there is a consideration that teens often don’t worry about: commitment. As a generalist, it’s not easy to lock myself down, but whatever I do next will probably last into my 70s. So it’s easy to hide by indulging in the possibilities rather than picking a fate.
But time is running out. I need to start making a meaningful living again – we’re tired of spending our hard-earned savings in this down economy. And without an income, we’ll never be able to provide our kids with music, gymnastic lessons or food for that matter.
I just hope I make the right decision.