Thursday, February 26, 2009

The Safety Net of Corporate Slavery

This post is probably going to come across as more of a rant than anything else! I have been so frustrated lately with my job. I don't want the career that I have. I have worked far too many years in a field that I never had any desire to be in... mental health. I stumbled into this field by taking a really great part-time job that had FULL benefits. Then it got to where just working part-time wasn't really paying down the debt so I got a full-time job doing the same thing because it was EASY. I had contacts, called them up and so I just took a full-time gig they offered. Now I feel stuck nearly two years later. Morale at my company is terrible because the person in charge is paranoid that we are all trying to cheat the company in some way. There would be a lot of turnover right now if the job market were better. I want to quit so badly but don't know what I would like to do instead. 

This situation directly relates to why I want to downsize my life. I feel that the less I have to take care of (possessions, friendships, work obligations), the freer I become. I didn't need that Coach purse that was equivalent to a car payment after all. I don't need the friendships with people that don't bring positive energy to my life. I don't want the work obligations where I feel like I am constantly on someone else's watch. Fear is stopping me though. I need a job where I can have healthcare benefits to see the doctor or get my teeth cleaned. I would have to make much more per hour if I was shelling out for my own policy. It's scary out there. What if some drunk person crashes into me while driving? Fear is motivating me to stay where I am at for now. 

I need to do some serious number crunching to find out what it would take for me to independent from the corporate slavery. I need to get out of this fear mode I seem to be stuck in. I need some air to breathe...

Maybe a few days off of work would be a good thing for now...

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Slowly Getting Things Done

I am off to a really slow start but I have managed to get rid of quite a few things! In the past week I have sold the juicer, clothing and shoes. Last night I donated many of the clothing items that Plato's closet didn't buy and that an upscale consignment shop wouldn't take. It is shocking to think about how much all of that stuff cost when it was purchased off the rack. There were a few things that truly got worn enough to justify the purchase but there were many things that weren't! It is time to think about why I bought these things. I will also do a better job when it comes time to standing at the checkout line and deciding if I really need something or I just want something. 

Monday, February 2, 2009

The Current Economic State

I have been keeping my eye on the news and how many people have been laid off in the past few weeks. It is staggering. It also doesn't appear to be getting any better. 

This tough economy is bringing about much change. I read about people trying hard to pay down their debt and slough off possessions they no longer need. That is exactly what I am doing but I am not alone! We had a very prosperous economy for some time because people spent excessively and got themselves into debt. I now have many more questions than answers. How are we going to have a prosperous economy again if people keep saving more and spending less? Can America withstand this trend? Was keeping up with the Joneses what made us so economically viable in the first place? 

It will be interesting to see what happens in the near and more far off future. As a nation, we are really about to see what we are made of.