Feb 7, 2022·edited Feb 7, 2022Liked by Sari Botton, Martha Bayne
Im 56, and no one’s sending me links to job postings so I’ll stick to my disdain for the moment. Also, I’m considering caregiving my elderly mother in her home since last year as a job, even though there’s no money in it. I guess I could get a job (hypothetically if links were sent) and then pay someone else to take bad care of her, but I think I’m doing the right thing for now. I sometimes miss having a non-mom-related “day job” that actually makes some money, but I do still make some money with my cartoons and writing, thank goodness.
I’m looking forward to trying something totally different when the caregiving is over, perhaps related to co-ops, as my gen-X rebel nature still can’t quite buy into every woman for herself and her health insurance quite yet. ;)
So interesting. We are the same age, but have taken such different paths with such different underlying beliefs. And yet here is what age will do - it will in one way or another destroy the belief that we are not (all) vulnerable after all. It will make us understand that we may not always be able to do whatever it takes to survive all by ourselves. There was a quote in a book I read last year - “aging is not for the faint of heart but it is for the lucky”.
"...the least cool thing you could do in the early 90s was care about your career." I felt that! We are the same age I saw myself here so much. Also this: "what if taking yourself seriously meant to treat financial health and emotional security with the same respect that your younger self once believed you should treat your process of self actualization?" Thank you for this excellent essay. I'm so happy for your current contented state of affairs :)
Oh god, you've described my life so perfectly. And here I am embarking on a new career - freelancing. After reading this, I should be scared, and looking for something...stable. Your essay and experience has my full attention, and I may lose sleep over this :) Thanks for sharing this story, it really hits home.
Thanks for these thoughtful comments! I'm glad the piece resonated, in whatever way it did, and that you all took the time to offer feedback.
I don't know you, Martha, but I like you so much! This essay is gold. So are you and I hope the new relationship you're incubating will be, too.
Im 56, and no one’s sending me links to job postings so I’ll stick to my disdain for the moment. Also, I’m considering caregiving my elderly mother in her home since last year as a job, even though there’s no money in it. I guess I could get a job (hypothetically if links were sent) and then pay someone else to take bad care of her, but I think I’m doing the right thing for now. I sometimes miss having a non-mom-related “day job” that actually makes some money, but I do still make some money with my cartoons and writing, thank goodness.
I’m looking forward to trying something totally different when the caregiving is over, perhaps related to co-ops, as my gen-X rebel nature still can’t quite buy into every woman for herself and her health insurance quite yet. ;)
So interesting. We are the same age, but have taken such different paths with such different underlying beliefs. And yet here is what age will do - it will in one way or another destroy the belief that we are not (all) vulnerable after all. It will make us understand that we may not always be able to do whatever it takes to survive all by ourselves. There was a quote in a book I read last year - “aging is not for the faint of heart but it is for the lucky”.
"...the least cool thing you could do in the early 90s was care about your career." I felt that! We are the same age I saw myself here so much. Also this: "what if taking yourself seriously meant to treat financial health and emotional security with the same respect that your younger self once believed you should treat your process of self actualization?" Thank you for this excellent essay. I'm so happy for your current contented state of affairs :)
Oh god, you've described my life so perfectly. And here I am embarking on a new career - freelancing. After reading this, I should be scared, and looking for something...stable. Your essay and experience has my full attention, and I may lose sleep over this :) Thanks for sharing this story, it really hits home.