You did it again! You had pounded my heart with your reflections on your whole world was burning entry and now you rattle the cage - my brain is in. It took me years of busting my ass to prove to myself that I had value. After another wake up call, from big business, that I was just a number on the cost side of the ledger, I got it! I stepped off the race track and took a walk through the forest. It became time to live my life for me, not somebody else. So I stopped the worry of how I was going to start over again, and just started doing what I always wanted to do. 37 years later I am still doing it, love every day of it, and will do it until the day I die. I had to decide who I really was, and what made me very happy, when I was doing it. So my "UP Magazine" is designed to keep me on the UP side of life, and while I am at it, try to boost the spirits of the thousands of eyeballs that read each monthly print issue. That is why I felt I had to share your smouldering feelings you expressed, on the fire where you live. Now I feel compelled to share your personal thoughts on the 9 to 5 working world, that really controls a person's mind, and way of life, 24/7. You bare your soul in your compositions. - I'm Big Fan of Excellence!
Thank you so much for being here, Michael! This line really got me: "So I stopped the worry of how I was going to start over again, and just started doing what I always wanted to do." Because the worry is not energy well spent. Good for you for pushing through! Thank you for sharing my work - that's such a compliment.
Omg this hits me right in my gooey center. lol. The elder millennial existential crisis is so real. I just left a job field that i thought the same "but i worked hard! just like everyone said! I put off my mental health and my self-care! where's my reward?" It was more than rough. I'm so grateful for this sub stack helping me realize that killing myself through my job isn't the way to happiness; even though the message growing up told me otherwise:/
The metaphor works well, indeed! The puzzling bit is how to re-train ourselves from the life long lesson of expecting to be rewarded based on our efforts and hard work. The headline grabbed me as I am abruptly coming to the reality of what is exhausting me with trying to please and impress is not in line with who I am or what comes after. It's hard to let go of the rocket when you've been building it and relying on it for decades.
With the ignition always being the passion and spark that lights one up, always trailing behind being the afterthought and "not" the money maker, it seems more daunting to live with that reality than to keep hoping the rocket is your way to the stars and retirement where you can then rely on your passion and purpose.
Beautiful writing, Sarah! And I think you bring up a GREAT point…we’re told the hard work will pay off. But it’s really on the result that pays off in terms of financial success (I think there’s emotional reward to process!). So…my questions is…what if success were easier? What if we leaned into the things that come naturally to us?
Yes, I agree and it's why I do say yes to every project I'm in line with, whether it's financially sound or not. I am trusting that the more I say yes to the things and activities which bring me joy the faster I'll see the financial reward, along with the emotional rewards. When push comes to shove, that rocket still needs to be fed with both substance and sustenance, the things that cost money and the moments and memories that are free.
Which then also factors into and begs the question of the meaning of success without the monetary value. The need for enough of an income to live while also enough time and energy to be alive!
This totally spoke to me, especially the part about holding on to the rocket launcher might be holding you back. And I wonder why I'm so burnt out all the time, workwise. Thanks for making me think on a Friday afternoon (and hello to Bonnie if you're reading this:)
Ah, Maureen! Have we met before? I see the last name :) I'm so happy this resonated and I know exactly what you mean. It's like holding a fire in your hands and wondering, why are my hands burned?
🚀🙋🏼♀️ I love me a good metaphor! This one is spot on. I went from being a military aviator, traveling the world, mega-intensity to now being a SAHP (+ oldest daughter~elder millenial to boot). It is VERY hard to shed the launcher weight and be still and figure out what I want for this chapter.
You did it again! You had pounded my heart with your reflections on your whole world was burning entry and now you rattle the cage - my brain is in. It took me years of busting my ass to prove to myself that I had value. After another wake up call, from big business, that I was just a number on the cost side of the ledger, I got it! I stepped off the race track and took a walk through the forest. It became time to live my life for me, not somebody else. So I stopped the worry of how I was going to start over again, and just started doing what I always wanted to do. 37 years later I am still doing it, love every day of it, and will do it until the day I die. I had to decide who I really was, and what made me very happy, when I was doing it. So my "UP Magazine" is designed to keep me on the UP side of life, and while I am at it, try to boost the spirits of the thousands of eyeballs that read each monthly print issue. That is why I felt I had to share your smouldering feelings you expressed, on the fire where you live. Now I feel compelled to share your personal thoughts on the 9 to 5 working world, that really controls a person's mind, and way of life, 24/7. You bare your soul in your compositions. - I'm Big Fan of Excellence!
Thank you so much for being here, Michael! This line really got me: "So I stopped the worry of how I was going to start over again, and just started doing what I always wanted to do." Because the worry is not energy well spent. Good for you for pushing through! Thank you for sharing my work - that's such a compliment.
Omg this hits me right in my gooey center. lol. The elder millennial existential crisis is so real. I just left a job field that i thought the same "but i worked hard! just like everyone said! I put off my mental health and my self-care! where's my reward?" It was more than rough. I'm so grateful for this sub stack helping me realize that killing myself through my job isn't the way to happiness; even though the message growing up told me otherwise:/
Amber, I'm so grateful for you're hear and thank you for your honesty. I'm glad to know I'm not the only elder millennial in existential crisis!
The metaphor works well, indeed! The puzzling bit is how to re-train ourselves from the life long lesson of expecting to be rewarded based on our efforts and hard work. The headline grabbed me as I am abruptly coming to the reality of what is exhausting me with trying to please and impress is not in line with who I am or what comes after. It's hard to let go of the rocket when you've been building it and relying on it for decades.
With the ignition always being the passion and spark that lights one up, always trailing behind being the afterthought and "not" the money maker, it seems more daunting to live with that reality than to keep hoping the rocket is your way to the stars and retirement where you can then rely on your passion and purpose.
Sarah Butland
Beautiful writing, Sarah! And I think you bring up a GREAT point…we’re told the hard work will pay off. But it’s really on the result that pays off in terms of financial success (I think there’s emotional reward to process!). So…my questions is…what if success were easier? What if we leaned into the things that come naturally to us?
Great points! And thank you, I am honoured.
Yes, I agree and it's why I do say yes to every project I'm in line with, whether it's financially sound or not. I am trusting that the more I say yes to the things and activities which bring me joy the faster I'll see the financial reward, along with the emotional rewards. When push comes to shove, that rocket still needs to be fed with both substance and sustenance, the things that cost money and the moments and memories that are free.
Which then also factors into and begs the question of the meaning of success without the monetary value. The need for enough of an income to live while also enough time and energy to be alive!
Sarah Butland
This totally spoke to me, especially the part about holding on to the rocket launcher might be holding you back. And I wonder why I'm so burnt out all the time, workwise. Thanks for making me think on a Friday afternoon (and hello to Bonnie if you're reading this:)
Ah, Maureen! Have we met before? I see the last name :) I'm so happy this resonated and I know exactly what you mean. It's like holding a fire in your hands and wondering, why are my hands burned?
We've never met, but of course I've been a fan through Bonnie for a long time - she's my sister-in-law:) Thanks for the permission to drop the fire!
Rocket booster metaphor, NYT article, book recommendation: all good and needed this week! Thank you for it all, as always 😘
Yaaaay! I'm so glad you enjoyed all of the elements. It's so helpful to get your feedback on what you like. That way I can do more of it! xoxo
Book already purchased 🤓📚
🚀🙋🏼♀️ I love me a good metaphor! This one is spot on. I went from being a military aviator, traveling the world, mega-intensity to now being a SAHP (+ oldest daughter~elder millenial to boot). It is VERY hard to shed the launcher weight and be still and figure out what I want for this chapter.
Love this. Didn’t sit down to a meal for a decade because I WAS BUSY. 😂 ooofff