Hi Anita,

I am actually married with kids. Back before I started school I was working at the same job for 10 years, but barely making enough to get us by. My wife was a stay at home mom, because daycare was too expensive for us to afford. I was really tired of constantly stressing about money, and I wanted to advance and actually have a career instead of just a “job.” So I thought and thought about it, considering the possibilities and how realistic each one was. I couldn’t imagine turning my writing hobby into a career that could sustain us. At the time I hadn’t learned anything about psychology, so that wasn’t even on my mind. I decided on business because there are business jobs pretty much everywhere you go, and some of them pay well. I was already in a job where business knowledge could possibly help me climb the ladder. So I bit the bullet and went into business classes. To be honest, I knew almost from the very start that I did not enjoy them at all. I got good grades, but still did not like the work. But I was determined to finish what I started. Even after I graduated and had advanced to the position I’m in now, I still do not enjoy business. It is far too rigid, inconsistent, and brings me no satisfaction. Maybe it’s the specific job I’m in… I’m not sure. Problem is they pay me a good salary, one I’m almost positive I cannot make at most other jobs. The main reason I got this job is because of my experience here, so if I move somewhere else I’ll likely take a large pay cut…one I cannot afford to take. We’ve thought about moving away, but again the pay cut looms in my mind, and I can’t imagine making less. So I feel completely stuck. My wife has recently started working again after many years of being home with the kids, which helps, but she is not satisfied with her job either. So we’re both unhappy, and feel powerless to change anything about that. I want to change careers, but can’t afford more student loans. I want to move away from where we live now, but can’t afford the cheaper economy in the areas we want to move. I’ve perused job ads many times, and it’s ludicrous how little some of these companies offer, even to candidates with degrees.

Sorry, rambled on a bit there. I’m feeling increasingly frustrated lately, because the demands on me at my job are starting to pile up, to near impossible levels, which is another story for another time… all I can say is I go home each day, feeling completely drained from stress and the emotions that roll around in my head throughout the day. And I feel like I have so little to offer my family at that point – that my stress is a downer to everyone in the family, but I can’t seem to shake it off.

I guess that’s it for now. Thank you for listening…