The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
Every few years I change jobs. I worked for 8 years in Chicago, combining a State job with a private practice. Then there were 4 years in Michigan, when I worked in two clinics.
Now I am in year #2 at another clinic in Arizona.
These changes have all been changes in location; I am considering next time a change in career.
Back in my teens I thought it would be a good idea to change careers every 10 years or so and do a variety of different jobs. It sounded exciting. Now it sounds scary. I am trained to be a physician, and one with a specialty. What else can I do? I have the yearning but no ideas. I am not trained to do anything else. I know from my patients it is hard enough to change jobs in your 40s, but change careers? I see some things that strike my fancy, such as running a Bed and Breakfast, but I only see the personae of these jobs, not the real work. And I am not a business man. My only regret from my father was not learning about how to make money.
One of my favorite short stories is by Ursula K. LeGuin. It is “The ones who walk away from Omelas”. Read it some time. It is about the brave souls who decide their present lives (and the system in which they live) can no longer suffice. They go onto something new. And they don’t know where they are going. But they go nevertheless.
I am working up the courage to “Walk Away from Omelas”.
Now I am in year #2 at another clinic in Arizona.
These changes have all been changes in location; I am considering next time a change in career.
Back in my teens I thought it would be a good idea to change careers every 10 years or so and do a variety of different jobs. It sounded exciting. Now it sounds scary. I am trained to be a physician, and one with a specialty. What else can I do? I have the yearning but no ideas. I am not trained to do anything else. I know from my patients it is hard enough to change jobs in your 40s, but change careers? I see some things that strike my fancy, such as running a Bed and Breakfast, but I only see the personae of these jobs, not the real work. And I am not a business man. My only regret from my father was not learning about how to make money.
One of my favorite short stories is by Ursula K. LeGuin. It is “The ones who walk away from Omelas”. Read it some time. It is about the brave souls who decide their present lives (and the system in which they live) can no longer suffice. They go onto something new. And they don’t know where they are going. But they go nevertheless.
I am working up the courage to “Walk Away from Omelas”.
posted by Ur-spo at 5:50 AM
21 Comments:
That is what did in September exactly.
The feeling to walk away and start all over has become rather pervasive in my life. Maybe the book will give me insight and courage.
Good Luck - however, trying to re-invent yourself in your 40's is not all it is cracked up to be - how is THAT for the wet blanket comment of the day!
Good luck in your choice.
I do however envy the fact that you are working as physician. I am not quite there yet. Still studying for Step 2 and the CS after that.
I still have to go thru the match (which I dread--I'm so afraid that I won't match). I am looking forward to working as a physician. I can almost taste it and I want it so badly.
We're behind you, no matter what your decision may be. Let us know how that journey starts or ends.
Good luck, Ur-spo! It's scarey, but it can be a path to new life.
At 41, after years of frustration in my first career, events happened that pulled the trigger. I had been afraid to make the change and so I put up with the crap. Suddenly, one conversation with an arrogant superior and I was "out of there". I did not think about the scarey. Somehow I knew it would all work out. It was tough, but it did work out. Overall it was one of the best things I've ever done.
Good luck if you decide to go through it!
If I was 10 years younger I might (actually, I did!) but not now. I'm just hanging on until retirement!
Can you go back to school and get a degree in something else that might interest you to start another career? My ex opened his own business with a partner not too long ago, and it's hard work, not to mention very little income (if any) the first several years.
I, too, change jobs often. I'm getting bored here in Phoenix and at my job. I'm looking at moving to the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. Now trying to convince Brian is a whole other story.
This story struck a real chord with me - especially in its depiction of the child who must be miserable if everyone else is to be happy. I am trying to walk away from Omelas, too; I wish you luck and strength for that journey.
If you're going to change careers, make sure it's something that you want to do. Otherwise, you will despise your job and regret the change.
Maybe I should get the book to understand what the hell I am doing!! Don't have a clue where I am going but I am going to get there someway shape or form
How about a B&B with a private office in the back?
Someone could run the B&B, you could help and do private consoltations.
Not bad?
If it works, I want a free trip and room and board for a week.
I'll help around the B&B.
Good luck!?
PS but don't stop blogging!?
I did it. I walked away from a radio career - one I've been at since I was 17 - and moved to Key West for a completely f**ked-up, failed television venture. I walked outta there after 2 months. Since I've done radio all my life, I know nothing else. After Key West, I had nowhere else I had to be, so I moved here to NH so Chris & I could be together. There aren't as many radio jobs as there used to be, but I lucked out and am back on the radio full-time, and I'm holding onto it for dear life. Not that there's anything wrong with working at, say, Staples, but it was scary facing the real possibility that I would never do what I've always done ever again. It was an adventure, and I wish you all the luck in yours... whatever you decide.
I've changed careers more than once and would do it again. It is so liberating and you get to ty your hand at something else for a change.
The last change was 7 years ago and I love my job so I think I'll stick with it for a while.
Good luck whatever you choose. After all...you can always fall back on the career you have which makes it less of a risk.
sounds like a good one, may have to suggest that one for our book club.
Well, you know I'm starting to live this. I put my plan into action tonight - the realtor showed up, gave me his presentation, went through the home, etc - I'll be placing my place on the market around 12/10...I'm going to stir things up a bit in the world of steve :) Thanks for the book rec. I'll be looking into it.
Life is too short to settle into something you're not happy with.
Running a bed and breakfast is hard work, from booking the guest, cleaning the room and bathrooms to balancing the books. Someone's got to do it.
Just think about what you want to do, any longings? Next figure out what attributes you have to bring to the job and what one's you will need to work on. Call people already doing the job to see what they do and words of wisdom they can give you if you want to get started in the field.
Spo...I can tell you up front changing careers is a mixed bag. I started out worried when I was going through the decision process. Then I got all excited as I got into the studies portion. Now as the studies near an end, I have to admit I am a bit worried and frightened. I gave up a lot of income to do what I beleive will make me happy. It's not that I can't potentially get back to what I used to make but it might actually require a lot of "breaks' being dropped in my lap. But nonetheless, I am excited for the future.
My first thought on reading your posting was to realize the length of time that we have known each other. You still lived in Chicago when we first met- which is now coming up on 7 years ago.
That's a while, but not quite long enough for you to have known me through my career change. In my case it should have been easy and exhilerating. I was walking away from a frustrating job and moving into my real passion in life (meaning conservation more than insects here). Still, it involved a significant reduction in income and was a scary time of life. I'd say don't be daunted, and make sure you give both your head and your heart a good listening to in making the decision.
I've been thinking about this post, since yesterday.
I think you've found your passion. You just don't like how it's being used.
Look to see if there is something you can do to change that within first. If nothing can be done, see what would make YOU happy, how to go about it and do it.
I think you really like what you're doing. Just make sure you can administer it properly, the way you love.
I suppose switching from corporate retail to owning your own retail store doesn't seem like much of a switch on paper -- or computer screen, whatever -- but it was a huge change for me.
There are pros and cons of both situations. I now work for myself, and sometimes (to quote a line from Evita) "it is difficult to keep momentum when it's You that You are following"
but except for the no-paychecks thing, I wouldn't look back.
We looked into running a B&B, but for the hours & investment put in, it turns out it can be one of the lowest profit self-employed jobs. (Once you figure in self-wages, which you're supposed to do when self-employed, but trust me, it's very difficult to do) Not that profits are everything, but you do have to still pay the bills.
For me, the freedom is my profits -- and I'm hanging on, trying to pay a few bills.
I say, follow your heart. Your passions should be more than paying bills. Do what makes you happy!
In April I changed jobs so thoroughly that I may as well have changed careers. It sure has pushed my envelope. I feel sure it will benefit me in a lot of ways, but I'm still so overwhelmed that I dream about work all night long. Scrod knows I'm no loger bored. One surprising thing is that my body keeps trying to fight back and FORCE me to go back to the three-day weekends I used to have as a despised contractor. Going back to 40-hour weeks bites the big one, not least because it takes me away from reviewing fish cinema at "Cliffie's Notes." I am simply too whipped at night to watch a movie, then write a review.
Listen, Spo, you of all people could find a way to make your career something that benefits you as well as your clients. Re-read some of the basics, like "Toxic Psychiatry," and then think about what you think would be really beneficial for people who need your kind of help. You're way too good a therapist to be just doing what you do now. Can'r Someone advise you about the business part of the business?
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