I think I can relate to you here...

First of all - from my experience, if you're finding you've got no time or energy for your own personal pursuits because work is consuming all your time - take it as a warning siren that you might want to think about changing jobs, because if the pattern continues, it could likely lead to burnout. This is what I let happen to me in my last job, over the past 18 months, and I'm paying dearly for the consequences right now. I know it's not an easy thing to say or do - especially when you need the finances to keep a roof over your head and food on your table, etc. But I really wish employers would realise the value of not pushing their employees into meltdown - if you can't leave, hopefully you can negotiate a deal for better working hours (perhaps try selling it to your employer as a win-win arrangement).

I wish I could have at least an extra day off work each week - I could use that for getting away from a computer screen, pursuing my creative avenues (music, writing, art etc) and broadening my horizons. I think I'd be a better person for it. If only I could afford to do so... maybe one day...

Do you have any business plans for self-employment? (and if so, how far off are you from launching them?). There have been times I've wished I could work for myself - but it always comes with a whole new slew of challenges (including the time investment), so it's really trading off one set of problems for another at the end of the day, IMHO.

Music concerts are a real escape for me - just hang your worries up at the door. I got told I was going to be retrenched just before last new years' eve, so I went and spent around $300 on concert tickets (though I made some of that back by working casual labour at one of them). Felt like damn good therapy for once!

Enjoy the show tonight... you'll be feeling great when you get there, I'm sure of it!

I will quit my job in january. Then I want to go study event managment. and work part time. That will be great. I have plans on starting a booking agency for bands with a friend... we just need the money to get started but I'm optimistic. As soon as I can work for myself everything will be better.

I work for MY goals when I work for myself. And thats important for me. I'm not afraid of having less money... There are many people who don't have that much (I never havd that much) and are still living... I'm just afraid of being unhappy... I need to have space... more space... I want my passion back... I love it...

Awesome - that's the spirit and determination I admire. I'll be wishing you all the best in your pursuits and studies, for sure! Hope you can battle out your job in the meantime without too much hassle.

I agree - If I had to choose between the two, I'd rather be happy and doing what I want to do, than be rich doing something that's ultimately for someone else's bidding. And I'd idolise someone who chose the same path (see my profile). I think that's why I'm taking so long to find work - I have an underlying fear of not being able to choose something that's close to my personal goals in some way...

(I think I'll stop spamming your journal for now... sorry for double posting.)

you don't have to be sorry... I'm honestly thankful for your words. It seems like you thought about them so they are very important to me. I have to thank you instead for taking the time to think about my problems...