The days when all the doors are closing and none are opening

[Scarlett5]

It's so hard to keep a positive outlook when you constantly feel as though doors are being slammed in your face. Like nothing you do is ever really good enough and you'll never have the life that you really want.

 

I'm generally a positive person, and I think that if you don't believe in yourself, well then who will. But I'm just having one of those down days when everything looks bleak and I feel the need to share my thoughts.

 

I'm trying to find a new job so I can move away from the dead end town I have grown up in...but I've had no luck so far due to other applicants having more experience. I'm working full time in a related field, from which I will gain valuable experience. But the specific experience needed by most employers for the career path I wish to take is not easy to get. I'd have to work for free, which I can't do because I live alone and need to work full time. I have a degree in the subject and many of the skills required. I'm confident, and my interviews always go well. But, there's always someone better.

 

I try to make things not all about my job, but it's tough. I hate the town I live in and although I love my friends, I'm bored of my lifestyle. I feel like my world's too small and predictable and I'm dying for a change. I'm wondering how long I can cope with the feeling that I'm wasting my life and my precious youth...I have 2 years left in my 20s and I really need to make the most.

 

Sometimes I just feel like taking off somewhere....there must be more to life.

[pteromom]

It's so hard to keep a positive outlook when you constantly feel as though doors are being slammed in your face. Like nothing you do is ever really good enough and you'll never have the life that you really want.

 

I'm generally a positive person, and I think that if you don't believe in yourself, well then who will. But I'm just having one of those down days when everything looks bleak and I feel the need to share my thoughts.

 

I'm trying to find a new job so I can move away from the dead end town I have grown up in...but I've had no luck so far due to other applicants having more experience. I'm working full time in a related field, from which I will gain valuable experience. But the specific experience needed by most employers for the career path I wish to take is not easy to get. I'd have to work for free, which I can't do because I live alone and need to work full time. I have a degree in the subject and many of the skills required. I'm confident, and my interviews always go well. But, there's always someone better.

 

I try to make things not all about my job, but it's tough. I hate the town I live in and although I love my friends, I'm bored of my lifestyle. I feel like my world's too small and predictable and I'm dying for a change. I'm wondering how long I can cope with the feeling that I'm wasting my life and my precious youth...I have 2 years left in my 20s and I really need to make the most.

 

Sometimes I just feel like taking off somewhere....there must be more to life.

 

Maybe taking off somewhere is EXACTLY what you should be doing. When all the doors are closing on you, pick up a sledgehammer.

[Scarlett5]

I kind of agree...but take off and do what? I'm nearly 30 and still on a wage I can barely live off. I've worked hard and I tell myself that if I continue to work hard, it'll pay off.

[Scarlett5]

No words of wisdom from the older and wiser? If anyone's been through similar, I'd love to hear your stories

[ErosOcean]

I try to make things not all about my job, but it's tough. I hate the town I live in and although I love my friends, I'm bored of my lifestyle. I feel like my world's too small and predictable and I'm dying for a change. I'm wondering how long I can cope with the feeling that I'm wasting my life and my precious youth...I have 2 years left in my 20s and I really need to make the most.

 

Sometimes I just feel like taking off somewhere....there must be more to life.

 

You are not alone.

 

I think at some point of there life people get to this stage of thinking that there should be more to life. I've felt the same way. Although I went to parties, hung out with awesome friends, and went on trips. I was still bored with life. Although I did what people said was fun, I was completely miserable.

 

Sure, you can take off somewhere and expect changes but you may find that the other side may not be as green. Or for awhile you may distract yourself and be happy for a bit. But then a new stress will come to your life and destroy your happiness and you will say to yourself again... there must be more to life.

 

All this wanting is causing you to suffer. You suffer from your state of wanting and expectations; your attachment to what you think your life should be like; your attachment to the end result of thinking that once you've achieved an end goal you'll be happy.

 

You say that you have two years left in your twenties and you need to make the most of it, but then you'll get near your thirties and you may say the same thing. You may even say it when you get to your forties, fifties, and so on.

 

Practice detachment.

 

This is not just a Buddhist concept. The Hindus taught it, you'll find it in the Bhagavad Gita. It's taught in the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu...

 

Basically, don't worry so much, things will work out. You'll know what to do. Just do the best that you can and try to be detached to the results.

 

I'll close with my favorite Zen story 'Maybe' which is about detachment and being impersonal towards good things and bad things in life. You will see that sometimes hidden within bad events are opportunities, and hidden within good events are misfortunes. But only a wise person would be detached (or at peace) with both good and bad...

 

Once upon the time there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

 

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

 

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.

 

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

 

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

 

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

 

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

 

“Maybe,” said the farmer.