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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerrympls on March 14, 2005, at 21:11:28
I've had a 9to5 desk job for the past 4 years - benefits included. I was doing ok my for year and 1/2 then my depression started taking a toll and my job attendance suffered. I got representation from our Disability Services to protect my job and since then things have been good and bad. Last summer I took a 3 month medical leave and returned to work in December. I've been doing much better as far as my depression goes - but I just feel burnt out. My management is fed up with me missing work due to my illness and although they can't legally fire me because of it - they have made it clear they want me out of the position I'm in now (tech support) and into another non-essential area (?) with the possibility of cutting my hours to 75% time.
I majored in music and have had no time or energy to put into this because of my day job. I want to do something else besides a 9to5 desk job -but I don't know where to start. The major thing getting in the way is my illness - somedays I can function and somedays I can't get out of bed. So another 9 to 5 is not gonna solve anything.
I'd love to start my own business - perhaps providing tech support from home and/or being a freelance musician - but how? Plus I need benefits (medical, etc).
To tell you the truth, I just don't want to work anymore. I'm sick of getting up every morning to go to a dead-end job. And after 4 years what do I have to show for it? I have no savings nothing. It's a miracle I've been able to even WORK with such a debilitating depression.
Maybe I should take some time of and go on welfare until I find something I'd really like to do? I just don't know. My parents are not supportive and my friends don't have any advice.
This job is sucking the life out of me - but I don't know where/what to do?
I need advice badly - I'd appreciate any that you guys can offer. I really need help.
Thanks in advance.....
Jerry
Posted by Sarah T. on March 15, 2005, at 1:03:04
In reply to Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help!, posted by jerrympls on March 14, 2005, at 21:11:28
You said that you majored in music. Have you taught music privately? I know that probably wouldn't be enough to live on and you wouldn't get company medical benefits, but perhaps you could do that part-time and then do something else part-time that provides medical benefits. What if you got a 22.5 -24 hour per week job? Many companies provide benefits if you work 22.5 hours or more. Maybe you could do that 3 days a week. Then, supplement that with teaching music. I have some friends who teach privately in affluent communities, and they are able to charge quite a lot for private music lessons. My friends deliberately chose to teach in wealthier towns because the parents are willing and able to afford to pay for private lessons.
Posted by partlycloudy on March 15, 2005, at 8:32:32
In reply to Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help!, posted by jerrympls on March 14, 2005, at 21:11:28
I think it's terribly important to do work that satisfies both your physical needs (medical benefits) and emotional ones. My husband can't fathom how I get up and out the door to arrive at work the same time every day; and I don't do well when my days aren't super-structured to do exactly that.
If you're not enjoying the job itself, it could be contributing to your depression - would it be more enjoyable if you could work more flexible hours? If music is your passion, and it sounds like it is, would you be able to get a regular gig so you could join a union and get benefits through that?
If it's working that is stressing you out, then perhaps your leave of absence wasn't long enough. Are you happy with your depression treatment? When I started getting p-doc help, my main goal was to "get through the day" - to be able to show up for work, stay the entire day, and still be able to have some energy and motivation to have a live after hours. I took a leave of absence too, and I have to say that the anxiety that I cart with me to work every day makes it difficult, but I hope to find a way with my p-doc and therapist to be able to continue, since I think that being able to work full time helps me overall - gets me out of the house, interacting with others, and even being able to meet the simplest of deadlines gives me some feeling of accomplishment.
Maybe if you wrote out some of what your goals and aspirations are, you'd be able to come up with a plan on how to get there.
There are loads of folks here with advice and opinions!!!
Posted by ed_uk on March 15, 2005, at 10:11:26
In reply to Re: Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help! » jerrympls, posted by partlycloudy on March 15, 2005, at 8:32:32
Hey Jerry!
>freelance musician
What do you play? (or maybe you sing)
Ed.
Posted by anastasia56 on March 15, 2005, at 11:59:55
In reply to Re: Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help!, posted by ed_uk on March 15, 2005, at 10:11:26
just to add to the good suggestions above...my sister-in-law gives music lessons at home and augments that with weddings, etc. which i understand pay very well. seems like she is always busy with paying gigs so that might be an idea. an ad in the papers to get the word out. she is active in her church so that may give her leads too.
she also just signed up as a freelance sales rep (kinder like kindergarten) something...selling toys or whatever they are to moms to develop their toddlers musical abilities. i think she does home parties similar to tupperware. sorry i don't know much about that one.
ana
Posted by AuntieMel on March 15, 2005, at 14:37:11
In reply to Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help!, posted by jerrympls on March 14, 2005, at 21:11:28
I know what you mean about a 9 to 5. Most times I'd love to get out of this grind.
But deep down I know if I were to leave the job I'd never shower, change clothes, eat or anything else.
Posted by jerrympls on March 15, 2005, at 17:14:20
In reply to Re: Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help!, posted by ed_uk on March 15, 2005, at 10:11:26
> Hey Jerry!
>
> >freelance musician
>
> What do you play? (or maybe you sing)
>
> Ed.hey Ed!
I'm a cellist :-)
Posted by ed_uk on March 16, 2005, at 10:11:54
In reply to Re: Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help! » ed_uk, posted by jerrympls on March 15, 2005, at 17:14:20
Hi Jerry,
That's impressive, I like the cello. I used to play the bassoon and a few other instruments, I wasn't that good but I played in a few bands and orchestras, it was fun. I gave up though, I don't play anything anymore.
Ed.
Posted by Sarah T. on March 17, 2005, at 22:33:47
In reply to Re: Sick of 9 to 5 - need to move on but how? Help! » jerrympls, posted by ed_uk on March 16, 2005, at 10:11:54
I love the sound of the cello! Cello, oboe and English horn are my favorite instruments.
This is the end of the thread.
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