Does your life have meaning?

[Anonymous]

What do you do for a living?

[Anonymous]

Yes, but at this point it's derived almost entirely from my personal relationships, especially those with my kids and husband. I work full time as an editor but identify much more as a mother than as a writer/editor. I expect that may shift a little as my kids get older but right now they are all the meaning I need.

[Anonymous]

Yup. I'm a teacher. I was a career changer who felt no satisfaction from my former desk job. It's hard not to get wrapped up in everything teaching involves so I constantly need to remember that it's my job, not my life. My family and friends give my life meaning. But it's nice to feel like I'm making a difference when I go to work as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm an office manager in a small law firm. I like my job, but don't really think about it when I'm not at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yup. I'm a teacher. I was a career changer who felt no satisfaction from my former desk job. It's hard not to get wrapped up in everything teaching involves so I constantly need to remember that it's my job, not my life. My family and friends give my life meaning. But it's nice to feel like I'm making a difference when I go to work as well.

How did you make the transition to teaching? Do you teach secondary?

I have a degree in English and did almost enough Ed classes for a minor in Ed. (I also have a graduate degree -- but not in education.) Anyhow, I sometimes wonder what it would take to just do a complete career change and teach. When I was a freshman in college, my plan was to be a teacher. But I changed my mind. That was the right call for my younger self. But I think that teaching my be a good fit for me now.

And did you have to start at the starting salary for a teacher or were you able to start a little higher? Just curious.

TIA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. I'm a teacher. I was a career changer who felt no satisfaction from my former desk job. It's hard not to get wrapped up in everything teaching involves so I constantly need to remember that it's my job, not my life. My family and friends give my life meaning. But it's nice to feel like I'm making a difference when I go to work as well.

How did you make the transition to teaching? Do you teach secondary?

I have a degree in English and did almost enough Ed classes for a minor in Ed. (I also have a graduate degree -- but not in education.) Anyhow, I sometimes wonder what it would take to just do a complete career change and teach. When I was a freshman in college, my plan was to be a teacher. But I changed my mind. That was the right call for my younger self. But I think that teaching my be a good fit for me now.

And did you have to start at the starting salary for a teacher or were you able to start a little higher? Just curious.

TIA[/quote

I did the Hopkins ProMAT program (not sure if it still exists) and teach elementary ESOL although I'm certified to teach Pre-k-12 ESOL. I started at step 1 on the pay scale.

[Anonymous]

No, but what I do for a living isn't the reason there's no meaning. It'd still be meaningless if I wasn't working.

[Anonymous]

I'm in health care, it's not like I'm changing the world... Maybe I'm altering a few entrenched ideas. But I work to live, not live to work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you do for a living?

My life has meaning and I feel satisfied and content.

However, this is derived from my family. My career has no bearing on my life having meaning. It's replaceable.

[Anonymous]

I learn so much from my son. He gives my life such richness and meaning, it is hard to express.

I also work for a nonprofit and find meaning in our mission.

Less than these two, I volunteer. I feel it is meaningful to help others, make a difference, realize how lucky I am...

[Anonymous]

Yes, thanks to my kids. Otherwise no. Fed job - pointless and do nothing.

[Anonymous]

Not really. I SAH, yet I don't feel much meaning to my life. I'm depressed and bored. I think I'd be much happier if I had a career, but I abandoned mine a while back. I love my children and have enjoyed taking care of them as they grow up, but they are teenagers now and need less looking after. My life is emptier and looks even worse as I look ahead. I'd like it to mean something, but being a parent, important as it is, does not fulfill me. I wish I felt differently because I want my life to matter, but it doesn't feel to me as though it does.

[Anonymous]

I have to say, my life found meaning when I quit my job and focused more on my children, one of whom needed extensive therapy and care. Before that, I was constantly racked with guilt thinking how I was short-changing with child with special needs who really needed me. I wasn't doing such a great job at work either!

[Anonymous]

My life is meaningful because I practice my faith (Catholic) and I strive everyday to be a more loving person. Turns out it's a fairly time consuming task since I have to work pretty hard at it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really. I SAH, yet I don't feel much meaning to my life. I'm depressed and bored. I think I'd be much happier if I had a career, but I abandoned mine a while back. I love my children and have enjoyed taking care of them as they grow up, but they are teenagers now and need less looking after. My life is emptier and looks even worse as I look ahead. I'd like it to mean something, but being a parent, important as it is, does not fulfill me. I wish I felt differently because I want my life to matter, but it doesn't feel to me as though it does.

Nice try, troll.