RECENTLY ON TOL:
The TOL Blog
TAGS:
KingJaymz's comments:
on Surviving the Quarter-Life Crisis
Greetings all, this is Jared, one of the guests from today's show. I wanted to offer a couple of thoughts that I didn't have time to express on the show.
Firstly, if you aren't supporting OPB financially, you sure should. I love how Think Out Loud fosters a civil discussion between people with so many differing perspectives. This is supported by us, the people.
Also, I want everyone to know that if you would like to ask me a question, I'd be happy to answer it. Leave a response to this comment, and I'll come back and check on it for at least this week.
During the show, I wanted to say how struck I was that the Quarter-life Crisis is as diverse as those who make up my generation. For some, their crisis is one of work, job, career expectations. For others, it's about friends, family, having children and relationships. And for others, it's a matter of identity, disillusionment and trying to figure out how to cope with the increasing demands that technology has put upon us. Maybe we're less "Generation Y" and more "Generation What?" I fit in quite well under all of those. Yet, there is so much more than just these that are causing myself and others to go through this.
Continue below...
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Surviving the Quarter-Life Crisis
Continued...
Talking to Sam (the guy who recruited us to come on the show), as Meghan and I were waiting to enter the studio, he expressed an appreciation for us being willing to speak about this because doing so can give the impression that we or our lives are much worse off than they really are. I think that was the case, too. I'm grateful that I'm married to a wonderful woman, and have been for over 10 years. I'm thankful that I wake up in general freedom and democracy. When I first open my eyes in the morning, I always note that I'm conscious. I feel my arms and legs move, and I'm grateful for that. I observe the gentle rising and lower of the sheets as I breathe, and I'm so grateful I'm still alive. I'm warm and have a roof over my head, and I'm grateful for that. I know what's for breakfast, again, being grateful. I have a job to go to, and I have a pretty awesome boss who maintains a high level of respect for me and my capabilities. I'm very grateful for that. However, I'm still in over $60,000 (combined with my wife) of student loan debt, with more in other areas due to prolonged periods of unemployment; I still only make minimum wage, and I'm only full-time because it has been "re-defined" down to 32 hours a week (which is what I work); I can't afford health-care for myself or my spouse (not to mention any potential progeny). I'm uncertain of what my future holds on all fronts, as I climb into my 30's.
What to do, then? My wife and I are working on the questions that go along with that, and their answers. We're working really hard at saving as much as we can and paying down our debt as much as we can. I'm exploring as many opportunities I can that could lead to a better way to earn a livable income. And I'm always, always stopping to smell the roses...or bacon with belgian waffles topped with fresh whipped cream and strawberries.
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Surviving the Quarter-Life Crisis
My heart goes out to your friends. Hang in there. We'll find our way.
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Surviving the Quarter-Life Crisis
dmillen, I haven't made much money, nor have I had much fun. I worked very hard to get through school with the expectation that it would provide me with some opportunity to find a starting point for a career path.
We're not saying "life isn't fulfilling," we're saying "Wow, I thought that all my hard work would pan out better than this." Meghan was a Fulbright scholar and triple majored. That's a lot of hard work. Our "crisis" is one of confusion about all the change that has happened, not just in a generation, but even the last ten years. It's a new world, and we're trying hard to figure our way through it. The challenges aren't just "the same old ones," but ones not seen since the like of the industrial revolution.
I'd encourage you to do more research about how radically the changing course of culture, technology and globalization have altered our existence and what that means for those of us who are up and coming and trying to figure out what it all means as it's going on.
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Surviving the Quarter-Life Crisis
I think that our "perspective" is sometimes lost in the depth of the conversation, like we had today. When I wake up in the morning, I remind myself that I did so in a warm home, I know what's for breakfast, I still have all my arms and legs working and I'm still sucking air. I'm never ungrateful for that.
My wife and I could not live with either set of folks, otherwise, we would have to save up and get ahead. But, we're doing the best we can, in spite.
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Surviving the Quarter-Life Crisis
ideaman, I didn't expect a dream job, I just wanted a living wage job with a potential for moving up. I believe that many in Gen Y feel the same. Don't believe everything that you see on TV about us.
And, believe me, my wife and I are saving, and saving hard. We're also digging out of debt that comes with getting a college education and long periods of unemployment. Like in Annie, the sun will come out tomorrow...
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Surviving the Quarter-Life Crisis
biitner: This is Jared, the guest from today's show. You talk about "velvet handcuffs," but, seriously, aren't you choosing to keep them on? From my perspective, yours is an enviable position because you have the financial wealth backing you to change your life radically and fairly quickly (within just a couple of years). You could sell off the stuff that is weighing your financial power down, save for a short time and then put that money to where you want your life to go. You have the power to make that choice. Right now, I can only go as far as $8.55 an hour can take me. And I'm working hard to make sure it takes me where I want to go. If I were in your position, I'd be doing the same. You should quit being sad about where you are and choose to do something about it because you can.
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Unpacking Heat
Ginny's comments about not going to Starbucks because she doesn't want to worry about it don't make any sense. If her concern about going there is because she desires to avoid coming across someone openly carrying a handgun, then shouldn't she avoid anywhere that open carrying is allowed, such as almost anywhere?
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
view in context
on Getting Tough About Driving Drunk
My wife's only sister was killed in a drunk driving collision 5 years ago. Her dad has been arrested for DUI over three times and is still a practicing alcoholic. It seems a sad irony.
I wish drunk driving laws were tougher. My father-in-law has only spent a night in jail, even after high speed chases where he endangered many lives. He was able to get a hardship license to drive to and from his job, and for his job. That just seems ridiculous to me, as many alcoholics drink on the job.
The bottom line is that we are all individuals, and some people will respond to treatment, and others won't. If a person isn't ready to give it up, they won't. The state is charged with figuring out how to deal with thousands upon thousands each year. That's quite a demand. I know people that diversion has helped and others that it's done nothing for.
If you take someone's life or severely injure them, you are the only one responsible. If we are not responsible for our choices, who is? Maybe the state could've offered Jeremy Jordan a more effective diversion than he got, but maybe he could've just been a decent human being on that night and either surrendered his keys or chosen to not drink since he couldn't control the amount he consumed. He could've taken a taxi, called a friend or family member, called a towing company, etc. Mr. Jordan is the one who committed the act. He is the one who is responsible.
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
view in context
on Changing the Kicker
At a time of such great economic difficulty, how insensitive is it for a bunch of well compensated politicians to ask us to give up something that is ours by law? My wife and I are worried about being able to pay rent on our humble apartment and to buy food. We need that money. We made less than $35,000 last year due to unemployment. If we'd made $250,000, it probably wouldn't be that big of a deal.
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
view in context
