Not old enough yet for midlife crisis, but....

menagerie mama

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How many of you, in the middle of your life, became dissatisfied with your life and yourself, and decided to better yourself in some way? I have been unhappy at my job for years now, and longing to get out of it, and to do something else. For those that know me, know it would be either photography or landscaping. Something that requires more creativity. But I am the type of person that adapts to a certain mindset, and a certain way of life, and I fear change for the most part. Today my friend Marc started going off about how he is going to be doing fall classes and I should go too, and at first I was not in favor of the idea, but the more he talked about it, I started thinking about it, and wondered if I am silly for considering it? How will I afford the classes? I know I'll need my own supplies, how will I afford them? He said I should just take the basic classes and then maybe down the road I could afford to buy the supplies I'll need. I'm pretty sure I can just take night classes so I don't need to cut work short and I can probably work around my pet sitting, but at this stage in my life, I guess I'm in a rut, and I would like to get others' opinions on if this would be worth my while. I never went to college and didn't do very well in school, and to be honest, the thought of school makes me ill. I still have nightmares that I am late to school and can't find my locker or class! Still, I feel something needs to happen! I went online to MATC but it's so overwhelming to look at. I don't even know where to start. Any thoughts? Thanks!
 

sharky

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You can apply for grants and scholerships ... "older " students qualify for alot of stuff the younger ones cant
 

pat

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I think you might find classes that are on something you love, where you *choose* to go, won't be as stressful, but fascinating as you learn how to do things you'd like to be doing (photography or the landscape design).

I did find myself pretty restless in my late 30's - and while I didn't feel I could change careers (I had a mortgage and at that point, expected to stay single), but I was going to get out of my presssure cooker job for a lower stress version (I did love working with pregnant women and problem pregnancies).

However, at 40, I ended up chucking the career (retired) getting married, moving cross-country and eventually, began a business (total change for me..in my 20's, my life was about my writing).


I think testing the waters by trying a class or two, then maybe finding a handson apprentice job, could be wonderfully satisfying for you.
 

satai

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"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
 

krazy kat2

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I went back to school at 43 and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. It took about a year, and it was wonderful. Surprisingly, about a third of the class was my age or older. I qualified for grants and loans no problem. I graduated with honors and was in the top 5% on my national boards. I am now a licensed massage therapist, and I love it. It is not as much money as I was led to believe, but it beats the heck out of what I was doing before that. I encourage you to go for it if there are classes that interest you.
 
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menagerie mama

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Thanks everyone, I think I just might do it! Pat I agree, after thinking about it your way, that not being pressured to go to school and do it for fun might be less stressful and I'll probably want to do more. plus it will make me proud of myself in the long run! If nothing else, it can just help me learn about stuff I love, even if I never get a job doing it. Who wouldn't want to know more about horticulture or taking pictures? I'll look into it more and see what I find.
 

lookingglass

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The same thing happened to my Mother, she decided to go back to school and get her masters. I couldn't have been happier for her.
 

lilleah

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Thumbs down for mid-life crisis's. I dont belive in them. Hopefully it never happens to me or you.

BUT...Ok, Yes, I think you should go back to school. You never know what's gonna happen, and it'll make you proud of yourself, like you said.

yes, it'll be rough with money..but DO DO apply for grants, or anything you can get. And sometimes you're able to "write off" your needed school supplies on your taxes. Make sure to keep reciepts & such. And yes..Your time will diminish with other things, but keep it up. It'll be so great for you. I belive in ya.

(Plus, you might might meet some fine photographer/landscaper guy in one of your classes
)
 

shengmei

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Originally Posted by sharky

You can apply for grants and scholerships ... "older " students qualify for alot of stuff the younger ones cant
True. That's one of the reasons we got married so early.
 

gailc

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I am a month away from turning 49 and had a "mid-life crisis" several yrs ago.
When my office downsized in 2000 the opportunity for advancemnt-well lets say there wasn't any. Then one day perhaps 3 yrs ago I had and Oprah "Aha moment" and realized that I can change my life any time I want. I knew that teaching could work -my landscaping business didn't enter my mind at that time.
I have taken many different classes and joined a few gardening groups over the years. In early 2004 I was burning out at my job and knew I had to change careers, when in May 2004 it was announced that my office would close Sept 2005 that was probably the best news in a long time. I admit it was tough hanging in for those last 15 months (I had a countdown on my calender).
Starting my own landscaping business hasn't been a piece of cake but I probably haven't been so satisfied with what I do in a very long time. Today I I spoke with my client who said she can't wait to see what I have done for her-you can't get that type of excitment anywhere!!!
Of course DH would want me working around the clock but that's not going to happen at this stage!!
If you need advice on the horticulture field pm me!!!
Good luck...
 
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menagerie mama

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Thank you! I think I will either start in a basic photography and/or horticulture class at first and work from there, and then decide what to do after that.
 
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