Night Shift

[eth]

@plasmo I can't go back to the line of work I used to be in and find it really hard to see what I would like to do if I was working again.  At some stage I'll probably just start with some sort of part-time voluntary work.

[plasmo]

yeah i've dine some voluntary work, i may do it again at some stage. was finding i wasnt getting that much out of it after a while though

[Mazarita]

Hi @plasmo and @eth, DSP here too. Can't see myself being in the regular workforce again. 53 years old and I've had roughly 50 jobs in my life. Almost all of them sent me to breakdowns from the combination of bipolar, crohns disease and other illness throughout my life. I've been close to homeless a couple of times before the DSP was approved. Would hate to go back to the constant crisis state I was in for most of my life. My best contribution to the world is through creativity I think. I'm prolific with that.

[eth]

I echo much of what you just said @Mazarita, but I don't have the creative expression in the world that you do.  The writing bug didn't really kick in again yet like I was hoping it would, but that's not to say it won't in the future.  I'm interested in peer support work but a) the training is not available up here and I'm not up to doing an online Cert IV and b) I've burned out with compassion fatigue in my past line of work as a massage therapist and disability carer.  So I'm in a holding pattern for the time being with no real goals other than managing my health and maintaining my home.

[plasmo]

yeah for me it will be too difficult to get into the workforce, dont have a proper work history, so i'll have to create my own job

[Mazarita]

@eth, I hear you about feeling a lack of goals and sense of purpose. I don't have any concrete goals with things either. The creativity is mainly on the net these days, which makes it managable with the mental/physical health issues, and I have no ambition to make money from it any more. But it is enough to give me a sense of meaning and cultural contribution. I think the way you support people here is a kind of voluntary work you do.

[eth]

It's a bit like that for me too @plasmo.  I was mostly self-employed and didn't get references and all my qualifications are well and truly out of date.  I tried going back to study in 2012 to renew my massage therapy diploma but it didn't work out for a couple of reasons.  Then I realised I wouldn't have been up to the reality of practising again anyway.

[Mazarita]

@plasmo, do you mind if I ask roughly how old you are?

[eth]

Thankyou for saying that @Mazarita.  I have been thinking that recently too.  It's a step in that direction anyway.  When I did work I always did some of my work at a greatly reduced price for those who wouldn't have been able to have it otherwise and also did voluntary placements in a youth drug and alcohol centre and a women's half-way house for women coming out of prison.  

But I have to say that being here is definitely a two-way street.  I am helped and supported too and it means a lot to me.

[Mazarita]

@eth, those are demanding caring roles you have taken on in your life and all the more admirable in my view when done for little or no payment. You have also cared for and raised children, another area of unpaid work that is not properly recognised. The endless race for the almighty dollar is a problem in our society I think. Perhaps there are other, even new areas of interest that might be rewarding for you and others in time. Meantime I think trying to manage your mental health is a valid priority.