Decided to change jobs

Discosybil · Post by **Discosybil** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:41 am

This year I came back realizing money isn't everything. I came home wondering what am I doing behind a desk with no windows dealing with tons of negative people. I'm now searching for something different, maybe outdoors and realize I'll live longer doing it.

Has Burningman changed your thoughts on work environment?

samtzu · Post by **samtzu** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 11:16 am

No.

My thoughts on the work environment have always been pretty much the same. If I don't like my job, I quit and go do something else.

It has been a full time career not having a career...

Magikal · Post by **Magikal** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:47 pm

Not by itself, no (tho I was a virgin this year, so take that into account). If anything, it re-enforced what I had already concluded. The real key element was the recent (and totally unexpected) death of a very dear friend of mine. During that wretched week, I quietly realized that I hated my uncreative, filthy blue-collar job (machinist), and I didn't want to do it any more.

Then I went to the Burn, and being among these wonderful, creative, giving people was like being bathed in cool, clear water. And I knew even more that I no longer wished to do blue-collar work.

What I am going to do instead, tho, is a bit of a problem. I want to get into something creative, but I'm not sure what. Certainly I love writing, but it generally doesn't pay dick. One of the people I henna'd thought I did it for a living, so maybe I should try that

. Perhaps I should go the whole route, going barefoot, wearing my beret everywhere and reading poetry in coffee houses an' stuff

.

But seriously, I don't know what I'm going to do. This marks a radical, 90 degree turn for me. I'm going to have to give it a lot of thought, talk to a lot of career people, really chew it over. But I know now what I DON'T want to do, and that's half the battle.

Discosybil · Post by **Discosybil** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 3:37 pm

LOL, I totally agree. I do like my job, just not dealing with ones that will never change and look at each day so negative. Sooooo, I too will spend some time figuring out what I will do. Although I've done that a few times.

vividvortex · Post by **vividvortex** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:56 pm

I feel you...this was my first burningman and it has confirmed and reconfirmed the feeling that i don't want to spend my whole year looking forward to this one week... why can't we always feel like this? If anything i think it is our right if not our purpose to feel/live this way...I really enjoyed the exchange of ideas and worldviews...this was the first time i was ever exposed to groups of people who thought and saw the world like me...i don't feel a certain attachment to a particular country or state the whole world can be home and i create my own flag....now i just have to figure out how to live the life that is in my head...BM made it possible to see... love you all...
namascar,
vividvortex

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:32 pm

I'm the boss of me and so I mostly work it out the way I want it to work out already, and I love me work so that's all good. I've already realized money isn't everything because I haven't had much for a long time. If anything I've come back wanting to make more money, and with more appreciation for what I do and the life I live. I have decided to spend less time (wasting) on the internet and use my time doing the things I really, really want to do. I feel inspired to do some new things and to kick my ass to do some of the stuff I've been thinking and talking about...although this holiday was a mark to make those changes regardless of what did or didn't happen at BRC.

It kind of bothers me that people say 'your life will never be the same!' and 'welcome home!', as if I'm also not at home where I spend the rest of my life, and what do you know about my life that you know it will change dramatically? Or maybe it will change subtly instead...it just sounds so dramatic. When people talk about not being able to wait until they 'go home', I wonder, where are you the rest of the year?

I did sit on a seat at them temple that said I was sitting in the only seat I'd ever come across that would change who I am without my consent. Much thanks to whoever wrote that- I was totally floored when I read that after sitting in it for a long while without knowing it was there.

Good luck to all of those who have decided it's time to change how they make their money. It can be scary but it's not so bad when you have an idea and you just take it one step at a time (cheesy but true). Every day we have the choice to live the life we want to live, or not.

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:35 pm

Oh wait, there's something else...

Now I have to decide if I want to have a kid or not! Gah! What a nutso decision to have to make. That was the plan, after BM we'd start working on baby making. But we're just not sure, we're too in love with our lives as they are and aren't sure we want to change them. And it will have to be a consious decision because we don't seem to be the accidental types.

That's the craziest thing I have to deal with after BM. I'm scared. And we won't be going to BRC next year if we do :(

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:52 pm

having babies is a major major major thing

samtzu · Post by **samtzu** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:22 am

Two things:

First of all; your message floored me! What an incredibly insightful entry! You are correct; live your life the rest of the year with the same passion that you live at Burning Man. Be aware, make your choices for you, live!! If you are unhappy with your life, choose a new one, and Sparkletarte, it sounds like you have made deliberate choices on how to live a full life. Congratulations. You have actually inspired me to do a thorough re-examination of my own life.

Second: I have raised three children and have loved (and still love) every second of it... well, except for that 13-19 year old age range. When my oldest was a week old I was holding him in my arms, thinking to myself, you get to raise a baby, just full of wonder and awe. Then the Divine thought came to me, No, you get to raise an adult, because that is what he is going to be for most of his life. My perspective changed radically.

I'd say "DO IT!!" but realize this; to do it properly, you have to give your life to the child out of love, and give them a chance to be a good adult, out of love. To do that, you must sacrafice much of yourself... but it is definately for a very good cause: to bring a responsible person into the world. It's the highest office anyone could ever hold. Hell, even the Pope can't do that.

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:26 am

The highjack continues...

Cool Samtzu! Yes, I have made some definite choices and they are pretty good, except I want more money! And apparently Rev Can thinks I should have more money, as they called today to say they are auditing my business because I didn't make enough for a couple years. hahaha. Thankfully I am an honest person. I was out of commission a couple years ago for a long time due to an injury and my business suffered...but they're coming anyways. Will be fun.

And children- oh, the sacrafice! Or is it? What to do, what to do... I'll let you know!

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:54 am

godammit you are cool velvet.

On kids, if you are unsure, the difinitive answer has to be no. You can't change that choice like you can a job, a business, a place to live, friends. Be sure first.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:35 pm

Just a thought about blue collar jobs. They aren't respected as they should be, but they are cool in some ways. You're actually doing something, changine some objects in the world as opposed to pushing paper. You have something you can point to and say "I made that" and maybe you develope a skill set that can lead to BM projects.

All that aside, I know that that's not what quitting your job is about. I would never get in the way of someone going after "right livelihood." It's just that I think the actual job (note, not working conditions or other things) can be some of the basically amazing stuff.

sparkletarte · Post by **sparkletarte** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:03 pm

Hmm, is that a proclamation of a crush? Hmmm? Right back atcha sweetie, looking good in that new pic!

I think for most people having a child isn't a decision initially, it gets foisted upon you. I know of hardly any planned pregnancies. And the parents who I've asked say you never really fell ready, but when it happens you usually are ready because you have to be.

But now I've decided, no! I'm not ready- I have to make it to BRC to see all of you again and give out more hugs! Way to go everyone, you've made my decision for me. OKay, I'm kidding. But still! Would you still respect me if I showed up with a newborn? hahaha. No, I wouldn't do that. I don't think.

~~

I agree Cryptofshshst. Some days I wish I had gone to school to learn a trade. It seems so satisfying to have this skill to actually make something.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:41 pm

this one doesn't show all the grey. Some nice eplayan I met said I looked a lot younger in person.

Discosybil · Post by **Discosybil** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:41 pm

I planned my pregnancies. I waited 5 years after I got married to make sure it was something we really wanted to do. My oldest moved out 2 weeks ago. I was thrilled for him when he announced it, cried for the first 2 days he was gone and thrilled for him still. When he said he wanted to move because he was ready and wanted to see if he could do it, I realized he not only had the same grin I had when I told my parents but the same answer. I look forward to him spreading his wings. My youngest will probably move within the next few years.

Could it be empty nest syndrome? Maybe, but also a week of my life at Burning Man that I realize how sweet it is to be myself. The child comes out, the feeling of relaxation, the feeling that everything is not as important as it seems. I hope that my boys decide to go to Burningman at least once to come up with their own experiences. Theirs might be different but I'm hoping it's what most of us felt.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:39 pm

Children moving out does seem a natural point at which to reassess your life and make changes.

Magikal · Post by **Magikal** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:15 am

theCryptofishist wrote:Just a thought about blue collar jobs. They aren't respected as they should be, but they are cool in some ways. You're actually doing something, changine some objects in the world as opposed to pushing paper. You have something you can point to and say "I made that" and maybe you develope a skill set that can lead to BM projects.

Quite true. If/when I start doing white collar jobs (as what? Engineer? Salesman? Ambulance chaser? Gah!!), I know I will miss actually making things with my own hands.

But I won't miss getting filthy every day. And with the extra money, I can make things as a hobby, can't I?

Huge B-man projects, here I come!

aforceforgood · Post by **aforceforgood** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 10:47 am

The actual work of my job is fairly pleasant and easy- I guess that's why everyone at my office tries to be such an asshole, so they don't feel like we're cheating them for getting paid for doing it.

I've been getting warning signs that they're looking to can me, which will be a sweet release if I can line up other work including med benefits to jump into quick enough.

I can't wait until they tell me I'm fired so I can pump my fists, shout "YESSSS!!!" and do a touchdown dance.