posted August 25, 2005 03:26 PM         

I'd been in a deep funk for months since I left college without my degree and hadn't found work. I was very depressed and isolated.
Then, in July of this year things began to happen rapidfire. Not all of these things were good, but they all helped to push me along and get me involved in life again.

First, I asked my doctor if I could be taken off of Zoloft. I'd been taking it for a long time, and I felt that it wasn't helping me, and may even have been harming me - making me emotionally numb. He agreed, and if that had been the only change in my life, it would have been enough. I feel 100% better without that stuff in my system.

At about the same time, my brother was in a serious accident and we almost lost him! We'd already lost my dad to an accident 7 years ago, so this was not only a scary incident in itself, but also it brought back all those memories. He pulled through though, and he's doing fine back at college now. Ultimately, the experience brought our family closer and helped pull me out of my isolation because I had to (and wanted to!) be available to my family during this crisis.

After more than 2 weeks in the hospital my brother was back home. For the previous 6 months or so I'd felt that I should be out in the world working, yet I was stuck at home all day every day, unmotivated. Now things were reversed - I was needed at home, but jobs were opening up to me, calling out to me!

At a doctors' office where I'd worked summers one of the receptionists was about to go out on maternity leave. They had advertised the temporary position, but before the ad even came out, the lady's doctor ordered her down to half-time and they needed someone who could start immediately, so I sent in my resume and cover letter and started working there part-time within a week! My mom took some time off work so that one of us could always be at home with my brother while he was there.

During my first week or two at the office I heard from the medical director. He knew that my job was temporary and that I was looking for something more long-term and with benefits. He'd signed the company on to participate in a large Health & Cancer Study and needed someone who could be a Research Interviewer and who could be available to go to training at the end of August and begin interviewing patients right after Labor Day. I read about the position and it sounded like something I'd be comfortable with because my college courses had emphasized research methods. I hadn't got my degree, but I had completed all my major requirements in Psychology.

I was excited about this opportunity and wanted it so much! I applied and got the job! I got trained (in one day) in phlebotomy because I'll have to collect blood samples, and I'm now pretty comfortable doing that. I continued working as a receptionist until 2 days ago while the new full-time temp was learning the ropes. This weekend I leave for a week of job training where I'll learn all about how to recruit and interview patients for this study, then it's Labor Day weekend, then I start working full-time!

It all seems to have fallen into my lap and I couldn't be happier! This job will last only as long as the study recruitment continues - 2 years, maybe a little longer, but anyway it's a good start! I've got my foot in the door and I'm learning valuable new skills.

I just wanted to share the story of my (mostly) good fortune and... I don't know, maybe give someone hope to hang in there. It can take a long time, but life can get back to good again, and it's worth waiting for.

posted August 27, 2005 06:14 AM         

Now I think it's time for you to think on what you hope to achieve during this portion of your life. What lessons do you need to learn that you are already aware of, and how can you integrate learning those lessons in this coming position? I know I have work-related lessons I need to learn such as inhibiting my restlessness through keeping a clear view of what my true goals are. I have a tendency to burn out quicker than most at jobs, but I honestly yearn for stability in hopes that I may one day have a family. Perhaps you have knowledge of certain tendencies of your own that you can alleviate by simply paying attention to them and not giving them power to hurt you.

I'm really happy for you, and wish you the best. Keep the momentum going. You seem to be onto something!