one of these days

Linda, always good do be aware of as much as possible! Thanks for noting the song and glad you are in charge of your own life. That usually beats working for a taskmaster. Unfortunately, many have elements of servitude in our society rather than teamwork and sharing in the benefits of labor!

Sara, there are jobs for some of us for sure. A good job is another story. The last one I had was great until a new supervisor came in and didn't let many of us follow through on several years of work. That was a huge waste and many of us did the Johnny Paycheck thing! Sometimes, we have to walk!

Thanks Jennifer, the benefits of being your own boss (to a great extent) make the kind of work situation you have much better than most. As you say, it takes a great deal of hard work to keep a business going strong. If we become less enthusiastic about work as we age, it's probably telling you something, but it's hard to know. It's very hard to define and understand a life's work. I loved my past job and I had the opportunity to innovate and try to demonstrate a better way to publish technical manuals. However, a critical piece involved having a supportive manager. When that person retired, I found myself in a much more difficult situation and decided to retire. You're very fortunate at least not to have that to worry about.

Kim, that is certainly the hope. Everyone should have a job they like doing. BTW, I joined the union in the last job I had although it was optional. I believe that many employers will overwork and take advantage of workers if they are not prevented from doing so. Most jobs can be fun provided the management creates a reasonable environment.

Hello Duke, Yes we should be thinking of our next job just in case, Duke. Enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene/

Darlene, your logic is on target. People usually do change when they can, Some should move on and suffer too long. We should be thinking about our next job....just in case.

Tonye, you are exactly on target. Anxiety and feeling stuck do need to be vanquished with courage...not always easy. This is an issue for all of us at times.

SP, If I did all you say....then I did really well (lol). Yes, I tried to convey in the poem that when we have these feelings of sadness at work, that seeking something new is not a bad idea. It's better than wallowing in self pity. That never turns out very well. There was a content about blaming others or taking charge as the theme recently. This is similar in some ways.

Andrea, it was only dramatic for effect, but yes those of us with jobs we can derive enjoyment are the lucky ones. I've not always been in that situation, but also worked hard to get there.

Thanks Yolanda and glad you saw this. There are a lot of people who would like to change their lives and this is a tribute to all of those who try. It ain't easy!!!!

Anne-Lise, I enjoyed reading this comment. You are very wise...we do not know the future, but can only try to arrange for something suitable. I see a lot of people moving around the work environment these days.

Thanks Hilda. It may depend on the circumstances and finances. Unemployment insurance isn’t the best.

SO, you and so many are in a quandary. It's so hard to know what to do in this situation as we can't see what life will be like until we act and experience it. Uncharted waters always generate anxiety if one is alive. In my last 3 or 4 years of work, I was able to define a lot of my own activity...they let me work in a lab and design software systems using commercial off-the-shelf database software. I loved it really. My manager actually thought what we were doing was revolutionary, and she was right. It would change the way a lot of people worked and add much efficiency and quality to the work environment. Then, a new manager came in and saw no value for his immediate benefit. So things can change, and we must adjust. I was LUCKY to be in a position to QUIT!!! Very, very fortunate for me!!!

Daniel, you are very kind indeed. I just read your latest....To my children. You understand what is really important and write about it in a way that inspires. Our work lives are an important part of what makes us who we are, yet so many view it as torture. It's very difficult to find something we love and combine that with work...It appears that you have done so.

Sally, I perceive you as angelic somehow. Your wish is a sign that you care and were hurt by what you observed and lived. I would like to think reading this may have helped, but the readiness for change is difficult to foster in many of us. It's certainly easier to think about leaving in retrospect. For some of us, the loss of a job can create a lot of anxiety. However, having a viable vocation should make it easier. Whatever happened, we hopefully learn from it and get ourselves removed from unpleasantness when we can. There's wisdom in thinking about the next job while currently employed...especially since situations can change quickly. I had though that to be silly when I was happily employed, but the world is different today.

Thanks Vijay, I think it's becoming more of an issue as we march into the future because many of the jobs people always had are about to disappear. This creates a lot of stress, and it's difficult to find pleasant work. Hate it when it starts to feel like prison.

IE, I'm glad you found this useful. One of the reasons for writing this way is to share feelings and try let others know they are not alone. My last job was starting to make me physically sick...the important safety-related work was subjugated by a new supervisor and I started to get headaches.It took me several months to realize it was time to quit. Fortunately, retirement was a viable option, but without that, I've always found changing jobs induces a lot of stress. Glad to say--virtually no headaches now!!!!