Have you noticed how complicated life seems to be nowadays? We’re connected to everyone at all times through devices made to simplify our lives. Many of us are working several jobs trying to make ends meet, the result of a lay-off.
I used to think that things would get simpler with age and experience. Not sure where I got this crazy idea. Guess it was my younger self imagining that I would have figured everything out in terms of career, love, family and friends, and my life would sort of hum along at a good, steady pace.
LOL! Even reading my last sentence has me laughing between the tears of stress.
Instead of things being easier and less-stressful, it’s completely the opposite. Mortgage, career, relationships, aging parents, trying to keep some sort of social life. More responsibility, more pressure. And we don’t have kids! I shudder to think of how something as precious as a baby would complicate things.
Now my dog is looking at me like I’ve totally dissed her. I will concede that my wonderful four-legged daughter does add some complexity to our lives. Especially when she refuses to take a bathroom break in the rain for fear of getting her fur wet.
How did life get so complex? For me it started in high school. I was a “joiner”, belonging to numerous clubs and organizations. My calendar was filled to the brim with meetings, dance classes, drill team practice, social events and work. Not sure how I managed to study, but I did, bringing home straight A’s.
This need to always be busy or attempt to over-achieve has followed me into adulthood. Like gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe, I cannot seem to break away from busyness. Yes, it’s good to have interests and be busy. But sometimes too much of a good thing turns into a bad thing.
When the lay-offs hit our family, both Hubby and I took on as many consulting gigs and other work roles as we could find. The good news is that we discovered new interests and found that there are lots of ways to make money. Hubby found out he’s a good and passionate teacher, keeping this part time gig even after going back to work full time. I rediscovered my creative side and have a new-found joy in writing, in addition to consulting and mentoring.
All good, right?
The problem with having too much of a good thing is that it suddenly isn’t fun anymore. By trying to do it all, I find I’m running out of steam. Frustration is building. Taking on every consulting gig, writing opportunities, networking, family obligations, mentoring and other stuff has my head spinning. Social life and relaxation? What’s that? Social life is completely gone, whittled down to an occasional dinner with friends. Hubby and I are so busy that relaxation seems like a luxury reserved for special occasions. At best we live for Friday nights, when we take a couple hours to have dinner and try to catch up with each other.
So what should a person do? Of course the answer is to eliminate or pare down the work load. But the answer is complicated in its simplicity. What do we give up? The things that provide the most pleasure are not necessarily the ones that pay the bills. Yet if we give up things that bring joy, we’re stuck in a rut of simply existing.
And don’t get me started on the electronic devices. Smart phones and tablets, in addition to the computer, have made it too easy for us to always be “on”. Yet I’m addicted to these devices in a love-hate relationship that’s next to impossible to break.
I don’t have the answers except to say that I’m working through things right now. While I chat on the phone, type on the computer and check email on my iPad.
Breaking up is really hard to do.
© Tami Cannizzaro 2012 All Rights Reserved
Like Tami, I was terminated once (By my best friend, BTW – he is now on the board of the agency I lead, so I got him back – ha!), but you don’t have to be unemployed to learn something from this book. 
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