Let’s talk about careers for a bit
Most subscriptions cost less than $20 while other expenses keep piling up.
Dear Cafecito,
Most subscriptions cost less than $20 while other expenses keep piling up. This past week, as I was going through all of my monthly subscriptions from movies to music aside from the monthly bills, I thought to myself, “Wow, life has gotten a bit expensive,” and then, I continued with my day as I drank my hot French Roast cafecito with a splash of regular milk this time.
The rise of subscription-based everything is causing financial strain. The cost of living has risen dramatically, and many people are struggling to make ends meet. Between monthly subscriptions and bills, it's hard to keep up. And guess what? Many of us are also unhappy with our jobs. Is it all because of the pandemic? Or is there something else going on? How can we find fulfilling careers and work we truly love?
What is Holding Us Back?
Do you remember the pre-pandemic social media posts about the dreadful Mondays? These types of posts have noticeably decreased over the years. The pandemic has drastically changed our perspectives on work. Last year, I learned about social media trends like "quiet quitting" which is basically a growing dissatisfaction with the traditional 9-to-5 grind. I completely understand people want to improve their quality of life and spend more time with their loved ones.
However, there is a gap that is holding us back from growing both personally and professionally. As a former teacher of almost ten years, and current doctoral candidate researching why teachers quit, I am particularly interested in learning more about this major disconnect.
Everything in life requires a formula or some type of strategy. To achieve happiness at work, for instance, your values and your job responsibilities must align. While this may seem a bit straightforward, many people experience career dissatisfaction due to a misalignment of personal and work values. Although we develop and learn a lot of skills throughout our lives, we often lack preparation for the workforce in the real-world setting.
On Being a Server
When I was in my 20s, I felt pressured to choose a career. Even though working as a server helped me become financially independent, my “friends” made me feel bad about not pursuing a career with my English degree. I worked as a server for 2 more years after getting my first degree. Working as a server helped me become self-sufficient, and I always had money in my pocket. If I needed extra money, I could easily pick up shifts on the weekends. Someone always gave up their shifts on Fridays and Saturdays.
Now that I'm older, I often meet people who feel stuck and unhappy in their careers due to stress and lack of motivation, which often leads to other mental health issues. So, how can you break free from this feeling of being trapped in an unfulfilling job? That’s actually a very good question. I’ve been here, too. I’ve spent countless hours researching university programs and majors. I even started looking into side hustles to help me pay for my books and other school related expenses. I remember on social media, people would offer guidance on helping others establish online business and achieve a better work-life balance. However, most of them charged a whole lot. Also, there’s a lot of scammers out there, so be careful. Always exercise caution and avoid potential scams.
My Educational Background & Side Hustle
I completed my BA in English in 2013 and continued my education without taking any breaks. Unlike most people who start teaching at 21 immediately after college, I began my teaching career at 30. During this time, I earned a second BA in Psychology. I kept going to school and earned the following graduate degrees: MS in Psychology and an MEd in Guidance and Counseling. Currently, I am only a dissertation away from completing my doctorate degree, which means I know a thing or two about careers. I’ve always been slowly expanding Clari Loves Cafecito. It started as a side hustle as I turned my designs into stickers and sold them online. To balance my studies and side hustle, I invest a little bit of time to my art whenever I am not busy by working on a design or contributing to the growth of the small business.
Recently…
Before I started working from home, I felt exhausted all the time. I no longer experience constant fatigue, I have lost about 50 lbs, and I accomplish a lot more during the day. I am incredibly grateful for this positive change in my life. I give thanks to our heavenly father, and my husband for always believing in me.
My Plans for The Cafecito Diaries
I plan to research more on career-related topics because it greatly interests me. In conjunction with my dissertation on why teachers quit, I also plan to further investigate why people quit and read more about work values. Last week, I wrote about how I took off my paywall. Instead of charging for my writing content, I could potentially create a paid hub with resources and/or host weekly virtual meetups via Zoom. These meetups, lasting 30 minutes to an hour, could easily fit into my schedule on the evenings or weekends. This semester, I’m working as a counselor during the day and only taking a dissertation class once a week. The subscription fee for this service would be around $5.
Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve great things. Focus on finding the opportunities that can enhance your life and overall well-being.
Time is our most valuable asset; how can we discover work that we love? Share your thoughts and ideas below.
Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Clari♡ from The Cafecito Diaries ☕️📝 | 💌 hello@claribotello.com
Disclaimer: This post is provided for educational and informational purposes only. This post does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services.