by Hope
According to this Women’s Day article, there are 13 signs that a woman may be experiencing a mid-life crisis. While I think only about half of them apply to me, I truly do think I am experiencing a mid-life crisis. And I have no idea what the end result will be!
What Led to My Mid-Life Crisis?
These last 5 years have been really hard for me. Like never letting up hard. Here’s a quick timeline of what comes to mind:
- Aug, 2013 – lost first large client and second highest playing client. Looked at it as a blessing in disguise at the time as I was about to finalize the twins adoption and felt it would free up some time I needed to spend with them.
- Aug, 2014 – confrontation with my dad about our housing and subsequent move to 900 square foot apartment.
- Oct, 2015 – lost substantial client, the backbone of my business. Failed to recover by re-growing business or getting corporate job.
- Apr, 2016 – move from apartment to camper after continued failure to re-coup earning power.
- Dec, 2016 – loss of camper housing and unexpected and bumpy move to GA. Major upheaval for the kids, leaving History Buff in VA.
- Nov, 2017 – threat of new job loss by crummy employer.
- Feb, 2018 – job loss and fight to gain unemployment benefits (still fighting for that.)
And here we are! I’m SO tired of job searching. I do not understand why it is so hard. They say apply online, my credentials match, my resume is awesome (thanks, Faye!) but nothing happens.
Thus, my mid-life crisis mindset.
What To Do
I have to figure out something. My savings will not last forever. Unemployment is still up in the air.
This past week, I applied for a part time position at the local Home Depot, actually several positions. I knew it wouldn’t pay much, but it would be something. And something is better than nothing, right? I had my interview yesterday (Monday.)
Hopefully, I’ll hear something by the end of the week or early next week. I would make $10 per hour and be scheduled anywhere between 10-28 hours per week. Best of all, they will work around the kids’ activity schedule.
I am actually really excited about the possibility. It will be great to get out of the house, make some money, meet some locals and I hear nothing but good things about working for Home Depot.
Other Work
I am going to relaunch my EPOH.com website in the next week or so and focus on gaining some local business. I’m debating joining the local Chamber of Commerce for networking purposes as well as placing an ad in the local paper. It’s just a really small market. But I’m hopeful a couple of people might could use me.
I am really glad to live in a place where the cost of living is really low. With just a few stable clients, I can pay for the basic necessities. I would love some feedback. Has anyone else just completely wanted to throw in the towel and do something completely different, ie computer nerd to garden center sales associate?
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Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
I think what lead to it, if that is what it is, is stress!! You have been through so much in the last few years but you have made it through and I bet it has made you stronger!!!
Good luck with Home Depot – I hope you get it!!!
It has definitely been stressful these past few years. And not only am I stronger, but I am changed…in good ways, I believe. My priorities are different, my heart is different and my views on life and things are different.
Thank you for continuing to root for me!
I’m a computer nerd and have worked in big 4 tech and gov tech. There’s a difference between getting a resume writer to look at your tech resume and getting someone technical to look at it. Feel free to email me yours and I will be glad to take a look. Microsoft & Google loved my resume so I figure it can’t hurt right?
I’m guessing the email box I filled in above is visible to you but let me know if not.
Thanks, Corie, I will definitely take you up on your offer!
Hope you’ve just had a rough go of it. Good for you for looking outside of your regular realm of jobs. I got laid off and was unemployed for over a year. I went to retail to get back in the game. I ended up working there a little under a year while job searching for a job to use my degree. It helped to boost my confidence, give me some people outside the house to talk to, and I actually met some people who volunteered as a reference for my next job. Unfortunately I was also laid off from retail (go figure). But it revitalized my job search. Best of luck.
Angie,
It’s so nice to hear that others have walked this path of stepping outside their primary career field. I’m hopeful it will not only revitalize my job search but my life in general. I’m definitely in a bit of a funk!
That’s a rough timeline. What about working for a temp agency? I’ve hired several people who were temps into permanent positions. I agree, you do need to be out of the house and interacting in a work environment, it’s good for your mental health and finances. However, I think you should focus on something that is more aligned with your skills and career goals, even if it is part-time. Kudos for starting to network. Look for ANY available professional group to join – both in-person, and through Linked In. Ask everyone you meet to give you the names of other people you should be TALKING to. Applying online is dropping your resume into a black hole.
The thing about Home Depot is that there are many more jobs than “just retail”. Yes, you may start as a floor clerk or as a cashier, but there are office jobs and dispatch jobs and receiving clerk jobs …. all of which need a similar skillset as an administrative assistant. Home Depot is a good company with excellent benefits and profit sharing. Not to mention, there is a Home Depot in nearly every community. I have friends who have worked for Home Depot for their entire working lives, through many moves, without skipping a beat re retirement benefits.
Good luck!
Yes, I have an old boss who came from Home Depot (many years ago when I was still in corporate.) He always raved about the work environment, benefits ie training and so on. I am hopeful that this could be a good addition to my life in a number of areas.
Hi Katie,
I have applied to the local temp agency, but in this area, it’s mostly industrial work which I definitely have no experience with.
I am excited about possibilities of working part time at Home Depot, I think it will be a good addition to whatever else works out or comes along.
I am handing out business cards left and right and am grateful to have picked up a few small projects. Baby steps.
I am a tax accountant in my 40s and I am so ready to throw in the towel and do something different. I have been trying to figure out the math for a few weeks now. Target Home Depot, something with kids, anything but the daily 9-5 i have done for so long. It is exhausting.
Taira,
I know how you feel EXACTLY! We can walk this new un-sure path together. Keep me posted!
Good for you that you are examining all opportunities! All you can do is take it one day at a time and do the best you can.
Thank you, JayP! And you are exactly right, taking it a day at a time.
One of my professors recommended a book years ago. I bought one and loved it. That was back in 2003. Then in Dec 2015, I was a budget cut. “Restructured the organization chart” right out of a job. I purchased an updated version of the book, and had a new job within three weeks. I think this book should be required reading for anyone who loses a job.
It’s “What Color Is Your Parachute” and is updated every year. I highly recommend it.
Hang in there, you have definitely been on a roller coaster the past few years. If there is a Publix near you I would try them also. I’ve heard they pay well and have good benefits! Just another option for you 🙂