What If? What If? What If, What?
Well, there are millions of What Ifs? in the world. I started thinking about the What Ifs?, when my personal career circumstances changed. It could have been a devastating, drink too much, end up on prescription medicines, stay in bed all day and eating boxes of sugary snacks kind of situation.
Luckily for me, in a perverse kind of way, I had a feeling for over a year, that something was going to happen, and I tried to figure out a way to get out on my own terms. I over-thought, which I have a bad habit of doing, about a gazillion different ways to make money. I was on the computer a lot, researching, clicking onto websites to find different paths to success. I tried to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. I have not grown up yet, so it is not clear what I want, but I am working on “figuring out the rest,” hence the name of my blog.
My What If? moment, well one of the many, was about What If? I took a break from the Rat Race? What would happen? Again, I over thought the different circumstances:
- Could I pay my bills?
- Would I lose my house?
- Could I provide for my child?
- Would I lose all my savings?
- How much do I need on a monthly basis?
- Could I actually do this?
There are so many things that I have wanted to do but since I was working full-time and raising my child, who has the time?
Time…what a concept.
If you had the time, what would you do?
What is your dream?
Could you achieve it with more time to pursue it?
For me, there are many things that I would like to do and to learn about. A lot of them have to do with being creative and writing. But there are many things I would like to try and learn about on other topics: cooking, sewing, making clothes, starting a small business, and photography.
I am a learning geek. I love to learn. It’s the teacher in me. I am not sure if I will do them all, and many topics may change as I research and learn about them as well.
Unfortunately, money is usually a pretty big factor in achieving dreams too, so not all dreams can be achieved.
It is too simplistic to think I can just do whatever I want to simply because I have the time. Bills must be paid, food needs to be bought and prepared, and there are obligations to fulfill so I cannot just throw too much caution to the wind.
But again, it is a starting point.
I am taking my chance!
I am going with my What If?
It may lead to something totally different or it may lead me right back to what I have been doing for the past 30 years. I am not sure yet.
But I do know that if I do not take this leap of faith and try for something else, I’ll never get this opportunity again.
And then I would be 65 years old, retiring and looking back and wondering…What If?
So, what about you? Do you have What If? moments? Are you pursuing yours already? Let me know.
I think we all have our “What If…” moments! I know I sure do! Go with your personal inspiration and follow the whisperings in your heart. Good luck!
Thank you.
My what if… I think about this a lot, what if I had enough money to travel to all of the places I want to visit… what if I woke up and my business has taken off… am I prepared… this is an awesome article, really makes you think.
Thank you. I think it was in my thinking stage of if I was crazy or not for doing it.
Thought provoking post. I’ve been on my own “what if” journey for the past year. I’m not changing careers but changing the direction of it and stretching what I thought I could do. I also began my own blog to satisfy my more instant gratification need to connect with others.
I guess the connecting with others is working out with this, huh? My new career is an off-shoot of my career anyway. I had always done it on the side and everyone always said I should do it.
Yes!! I have felt all of this! I taught for 9 years, resigned and got another job that required lots and lots of travel. Saw so many different people and places…loved it! I’m currently back to teaching (after about 3 years working the other job) , but so thankful for the time away.
As a teacher myself, I bet that time helped you to recharge your energy for teaching too. I am not currently teaching but loved the actual teaching part, not the bs part! I may go back to it in some way, but I want it on my terms so we will have to see. Good luck with the teaching again.
I have been teaching over 30 years .. a career I have loved except for the last 8 years. I feel like I could have written this post.. especially the clicking different links, looking at different jobs, wishing I could just quit and try other things and not have to worry about money. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one.
Oh my goodness, no, you are not the only one. And you probably have seen, like I have, so many people trying for different things. I was so focused on teaching and the day to day that it involves, that life was passing me by. It is interesting to learn about all these different avenues and possibilities, isn’t it? The money part holds us to our jobs and careers mostly, but doing what you love? Priceless…