Posts by Arthur Grant3

Should I start dropping my analyses here—just to see if I can get a pick right?

Enjoy yourself.
At the end of the day—it's all about your attitude.

Patrick Reyes5 said:I’m 31. Or at least, I will be in a few months. Currently, I’m unemployed. I have some experience—temp work through the court system—which is my only official employment history. I’ve passed my professional certification exam, too. It’s not the work itself I dread; I just don’t want to spend the rest of my life scrubbing floors or cleaning hotel rooms (though I do currently clean under the table to get by).

And honestly? I’m terrified. I’m scared my mother is right when she says my career ceiling is a janitorial position. I’m scared it’s too late to ditch this dead-end path everyone keeps preaching about and actually enroll in a program I care about, like studying English Literature. I’m scared it’s too late to master the languages that actually interest me: French, Russian, and Turkish. I’m scared I’ll never get to spend a weekend in New York City, which is a massive dream of mine. I’m scared I won't master English well enough to pass an Oxford proficiency exam. I’m scared I’ll lose the few real friends I have left. I’m scared I won't be able to pick up video editing, even though I love the idea. I’m scared I’ll be the only one in my social circle with just a vocational degree, and people will assume I’m not as bright as them. I’m scared I’ll never land a job because I don’t have the right connections. I’m scared I’ll never find a partner or have children, especially since people keep telling me I'm "running out of time." I’m scared to cut my hair short; I’m tired of managing long hair just because I can tie it in a ponytail. I’m scared I won't have enough money and will always rely on my father, when I should be the one helping him. I’m scared to call the registrar at St. Louis to ask about transferring. I’m scared to call the gym and ask if they charge for demonstrating proper form like a private trainer would. I’m scared I’ll never learn to dance the tango. I’m scared I’ll never learn to sew my own clothes, since shopping isn't really my thing. I’m scared I’ll never find a chemical peel that helps with a small scar I have. I’m scared the marks from my skin-picking disorder will never fade. I’m scared I’ll never find the right skincare for my face. I’m even scared that I’ll never learn how to express myself better.

I am afraid that I will stay stuck exactly where I am forever, with nothing ever changing.

Most of all, I fear waking up one day to realize my life has passed me by while I was still sitting in this same spot—never having moved away, never having found a job (even on Mars), never having had kids, and never having accomplished a single thing I actually planned.

I’m scared there isn't enough time left to fix anything. I’m scared of how people will react if I try. I’m scared of everything.

How do I stop being afraid?

Everything. As long as a job is legitimate, you can do it—even if it's cleaning.
It is never too late for a new adventure.
Having a vocational degree doesn't mean you aren't just as smart as your friends who might have university degrees.
You can't lose true friends. They love you for who you are, regardless.
Honestly, I'm starting to see... that being alone is something very few people can truly handle.
If I'm being honest, there's just one thing I'm worried about regarding you... and that's that you're being way too negative.
Always positive.
Well, maybe not always... :-)

Thanks so much—feeling a little better now 🙂

I’m not entirely sure if this is the right spot for this—if not, no biggie, feel free to delete it...

Just throwing an idea out there... it would be awesome if you could get notifications when you comment on a thread and then others start replying...
If that's even doable, it would be a total game-changer.

Much appreciated, thanks.