http://search.ebay.com/stained-glass-supplies

Time to start looking around.

I admire you, Lixy, for doing the looking. I was in the same boat the last several years of my career employment but hated to risk the lost of insurance, regular income and retirement benefits ... and so stuck it out several extra years until I could retire.

I really believe retirement has been a godsend for me. Now, I'm exhausted doing things I love doing (mainly volunteer work) and haven't missed the ol' job for a minute. A little less income, but a lot more satisfaction with my life.

I sure hope that you find what you're looking for. I wish I had a great answer for where to look, but Lilith and others have already helped there. Just know, our hopes will sure be with you.

Hey Lixy,
GREAT thread!!!

I too am over 40, and still don't know what I want to be when I "grow up"!.

I don't think I said anything about this before, but I got let go of my position at Lowes back in April, my position was eliminated. I've been getting by on un-ejoyment, but that runs out in 2 months. The "ruse" I've been trying to get on with, of being "on vacation"...is getting old.

The bottom line is, I too don't know what my best "skill set" is to have a job that I can enjoy.

If you don't mind, if you find places that can assist in helping people find what they are "supposed" to be doing in life, please let me know.

By reading this thread, I see that you are exploring working with staind glass, so I hope that you truly can enjoy your work.

Oh, rats, when I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was a project to do Lixy herself.

Don't really have any helpful advice, though.

I keep going back to my response and feeling it's a bit insufficient. A lot of thoughts are going through my mind when I think about career re-engineering and moving away from one career to another. This isn't a simple problem!

Some thoughts/questions:
- Are you sure this isn't a case of "the grass being greener" on the other side?
- Can you lower the risk of making a big career switch by checking it out before you change? Do it as a hobby, go to art fairs, volunteer with a stained glass artist, etc.
- Is this a reaction to feeling your mortality because of some of the medical issues you've had with your sister and Mr Lixy? If yes, will you feel different in 6 months?
- Do you have some time to do informational interviews with people who are in jobs that interest you? Call them, interview them to figure out the good, bad, and ugly of that profession.
- Do you need to do this new thing full-time, or can you do it as a hobby?
- Is a career change the source of your quandry, or is there a bigger question/issue you need to solve?

No offense meant...but these are some of the questions I ask myself and I thought they might be valuable to you. :x: Good luck!

Or many other things!

Ever hear of Steve Jobs? He dropped out of college in his first semester. Started a little company called Apple. Word has it he's doing pretty good these days. (And that's after having been fired from his own company!) :p

I'm all for education, but there are many people that are VERY successful without one. And remember, you get to define what successful is for you. :)

(((Lixy)))

My only suggestion... follow your heart... no matter how silly or how hard.... it will not steer you wrong...

HUGS my friend..

WOW! I am so impressed and overwhelmed with the caring and detailed thoughts spelled out here! Thank you EVERYONE...for taking the time!


- Are you sure this isn't a case of "the grass being greener" on the other side?

I've never liked to sew...I just can do it. Don't know why I can...but I can. The grass has always been greener elsewhere to me. Just don't know what fence I want to leap over!

- Can you lower the risk of making a big career switch by checking it out before you change? Do it as a hobby, go to art fairs, volunteer with a stained glass artist, etc.

Excellent ideas!


- Is this a reaction to feeling your mortality because of some of the medical issues you've had with your sister and Mr Lixy? If yes, will you feel different in 6 months?

Hadn't thought of it that way...but it could be. I know I've always wanted something other than my current job. It just might be more pressing now after dealing with sis and hubby lately.


- Do you have some time to do informational interviews with people who are in jobs that interest you? Call them, interview them to figure out the good, bad, and ugly of that profession.

Again...excellent idea!

- Do you need to do this new thing full-time, or can you do it as a hobby?

I'd like to eventually get out of sewing forever...but I can take baby steps.

- Is a career change the source of your quandry, or is there a bigger question/issue you need to solve?

It's not the career I am fearful of changing. I'd gladly drop sewing from my life like a hot potato if I had another opportunity. I'm responsible for the only source of health coverage for me and Mr. Lixy. I'd need to make a comparable amount of money at anything I do in order to afford the cost of our health coverage. He has no way of taking this burden, even temporarily. I don't see a way out.

I've read and noted everything that's been said here. You guys always make me smile (and cry)! I'm gonna get those books and check out those sites and I'll get back here with more thoughts!

(((((Everyone)))))

Lixy if the stained glass is what you want to do look and ask around about some craftsmens guilds, the contacts you make are worth the dues!If you are lucky enough to find one with other stained glass artist you cut your learning time in half. As you get started you will find that it is very satisfying yet flustrating at times but keep plugging at it .I tell my students to keep the first piece then compare it to the 10th you will see lots of improvement and confidence starting to show in your work.

I just wanted to add that you shouldn't be so hard on yourself for taking the time away from your own needs to care for those close to you...it just shows what a caring person you are, & remember that these are just the unscheduled emergency stops that one has to make on the road of life from time to time...I can understand how Fussy's post seems to have brought this feeling on, but if you spent the last year taking care of the ones you love, that's hardly a waste of time... :rose:

Lixy, I too went through several years after my son was born with cerebral palsy to be a care taker putting myself on the back burner. Actually many women put their own personal lives on hold to raise and care for children or aging parents. While I loved my family, I personally needed more. It took me a long time to get everyone in a place, and get my family financially stable, to the point where I could start venturing out to test what I wanted.

Thank You for the suggestions, caring and relating! I know I'm not alone in this boat and for the most part the boat isn't all that leaky.

I've always envied people, especially children, who have direction and goals for their futures and go for it and achieve it with total satisfaction. I've never had that and that's where the grass is greener for me. I've got a lot of research and inner reflection to contend with. I'm looking forward to realizing my calling...whatever that may be!

(((((EVERYONE)))))