Flying_V_Goddess

Well, in this small town, there's not a whole lot of options for jobs. Fast food places, hotels, and Wal-Mart. So I'm either stuck with a job that has a lot of people going in and out each day (not good for anxiety) or something I'm not particularly good at (if I can't keep my own room clean for long what makes people think I'd be good and cleaning rooms?) I'd be totally fine with my options if it weren't for the @#$%&^ing anxiety attacks! *screams*

live2teach

I live in such a small town. We don't even have a Wal-Mart here, I drive like 40 miles one way or more to get to the nearest Wal-Mart. haha. Yeah, anxiety attacks are very hard to overcome. It takes time and therapy. You can also get meds if it gets so bad that it controls your life. It sounds like everyone around you is not helping either. I was an assistant manager at a restaurant for a few months before it shut down. I thought I could handle it, and I did. But, I would feel like I was having a heart attack. At that time I was like 19 or 20, I am 22 now. My mom actually came out to see if she needed to take me to the ER. It was an anxiety attack. I had to deal with so much stress and crap from the employees that it was bad. I tried relaxation techniques and stress reducers but it didn't end until the day they went out of business and I have been find ever since. Maybe you should make things and sale them for now. You would be beating your anxiety and making money at the same time. :)

Carla P

Flying V Goddess,

I am sorry if I came on too strong. You are right; it is your life & money isn't everything and I didn't mean to imply anything any different. I am the Mother of 3 daughters ages 16, 13, & 11. My mother barely finished high school, so when my father passed away when I was 11, she was left to raise 3 daughters by herself. It was so difficult on the 4 of us that, at 13, I started working to help my Mom pay the bills. When I graduated high school, I dreaded going on to school more than anything, but I knew a little something about what happens to a single (by choice or not) mom when she is unprepared for the task. So, in the Fall, I went back to school. I got married a couple of months later, and had our first child within a year. I knew I had to go back, for my daughter. It took me 12 years to finish. Why did I keep going? Because every time I considered quitting I remember growing up without my Father, & for the most part without my Mother because she had to work 3 jobs. I don't make a lot of money because I have never taken the CPA exam, so I'm an "Un-CPA". (2 Years befor I finished school, they raised the requirement to a Masters Degree before you can sit for the exam.) I tell my daughters almost daily to be independant; make a little money or a lot, live an elaborate life or a simple one, just be independant. Their Father & I will not live forever, and men sometimes die or leave, so be independant in case you ever have to be.
My concern is the same for you as well as all young ladies. We are the women; we have the babies, we make the house a home, we make sure the ends meet in the middle. My entire point is these things are easier to accomplish if we are prepared for "what if...". Yes, I know my story is extreme, but it is more common than people like to consider. My advise to you was truly out of concern, not to push you into an anxiety attack or create more stress in your life. I am sorry if this is what happened. Live2Teach had a very valid point; if you can look back in 10 years with no regrets, then you made the right choice.
I wish you all the best in your future. IF you do begin designing software (with or without that degree), will you PLEASE create a program for the quilters (you know, THAT PERFECT PROGRAM)???

You hang in there & take care of yourself,
Carla

Flying_V_Goddess

Well, it isn't so bad that it controls my life. It used to though (couldn't go into some places by myself or order fast food without feeling dread). But its enough to prevent me from getting a job. We got a Super Wal-Mart in February and one of my friends ended up getting a job there. Anyways, one time when her fiance was up for a visit he had to go pick her up from work and me and another friend went along with him. The three of them ended up ganging up on me and tried to get me to do the electronic application process at Wal-Mart. I got so scared about it that I eluded them and circled my way around the store (making sure I didn't end up in either the electronics or the fabric section--the two places I knew they'd find me) until I ended up at the bench at the entrance. That was a good ten minutes. Luckily, when they found me on the bench five minutes after getting there they gave up and we went to go play Guitar Hero 2 in the electronic section.

ceannastahr

I agree about college being a good thing and without it you might not get far with designing gameing or whatever you would like to do. ON THE OTHER HAND. I know that for some people it is imporant to take a year or 2 off after highschool. like you said the burn out factor. My daughter went right to college 2 weeks after graduating and did great. Now as a mother of 6 she is going to futher her degree doing some classes online. My son on the other hand took 2 1/2 years working min wage and decided that it just wasn't going to cut it. He graduates in June with a degree in communacations and has a good job already lined up where he did his intership.

What I'm saying is don't close the door or the idea of college.