Looking for the Next Thing

[VedereD]

Hi.  I live in West Texas. I've come to be a pretty intense introvert, and even writing this introduction is a bit difficult, though writing is probably what I do best.  I guess I'm not quite sure where to begin.

Maybe with why I'm here.  I stopped believing in god a few years ago, and it was a huge relief.  This year, however, I've been going through some struggles with my career, and I've been at a loss as to what I should do next.  Before in my life, I relied a lot on instinct, which I believed (at the time) was directed by God or the Cosmos or something.  Now that I've been trying to figure out a new direction for my life, or find actions to take to change my life, I find I'm struggling a lot with it.  I don't know if it's because I don't trust my instincts anymore, or if there's just nothing out there getting my instinct's attention, or if I'm just out of touch with my instincts now, or what.  I often feel like I've come to a dead end.  Or at least to a place in the world where there are no longer any maps, and I just have to make them for myself now.  I just don't seem to be very good at that part.  Not yet.

I tried seeing a confidential counselor provided through my place of work, but I didn't find the sessions particularly helpful.  He wanted to talk about the situation I'm having at work and help me cope with it, while I wanted to talk about who I am, what I want to do next, and how to go about finding new, more meaningful work.  I think, with regard to my job, I'm a bit beyond trying to change my state of mind about it and learn to be satisfied.  I've tried very hard to change my perspective, because I know a positive outlook can help (I've managed to do this this in the past), but I just can't seem to do it anymore.

I guess I wondered how other atheists have changed their careers or have chosen what their purpose in life would be. How do you match up who you are with a job?  Are there any threads here or websites elsewhere that might be helpful for a introverted nonbeliever looking to switch gears in life?  Any good life stories?


The name for this forum caught my attention. Despite my skepticism about a lot of things, I've found I'm also a nearly perpetual optimist.  So much so I even get on my own nerves sometimes.  It just seems to be in my nature.   

Thanks in advance for any resources/discussion.


P.S.  I recently read this letter by Hunter S. Thompson (whose work I've never read or been interested in), and it echoed a lot of what I've been thinking lately.  I thought what he had to say about goals was kind of interesting, too, since I've always been achievement oriented.  http://www.lettersofnote.com/2016/07/your-type-is-dime-dozen.html 

[Ecurb Noselrub]

I live in Central Texas (Belton, south of Waco).  What city do you live in?  Near Big Bend?

[VedereD]

I live in Central Texas (Belton, south of Waco).  What city do you live in?  Near Big Bend?

Near the Panhandle close to Lubbock.

[gentle_dissident]

I've been pretty sure that the God concept was a propagated myth as far back as I can remember, but I've always thought mystically. In high school, I found a book titled Meaningful Coincidence. That explained a lot, but my mind still wanted to think magically. I see no harm in it. It's a coping method that happens after the situation and not before. However. it probably adds to my boldness at the time. I'm a magician and still love to watch magic.

I've been to three colleges and two trade schools. I clashed so much with my peers, This socialist went into retail. I'm a very vocal atheist at work. I'm sure it's got me fired a few times for "You're just not working out here." My latest gig is great. I get to probe people and subtly dispense advice, often humorously. I let them know that I'm an atheist when it comes up. I'm told by my customers that I''m friendly and helpful.  My fellow employees have tried to gang up on me, but I've put the kibosh on that. It's hard to fire someone who does so much for the business.

Hunter was one lovable nutcase.

[VedereD]

I've been pretty sure that the God concept was a propagated myth as far back as I can remember, but I've always thought mystically. In high school, I found a book titled Meaningful Coincidence.

I always like checking out books.  I'll take a peek at this one.

I'm a very vocal atheist at work. I'm sure it's got me fired a few times for "You're just not working out here." My latest gig is great. I get to probe people and subtly dispense advice, often humorously. I let them know that I'm an atheist when it comes up. I'm told by my customers that I''m friendly and helpful.  My fellow employees have tried to gang up on me, but I've put the kibosh on that. It's hard to fire someone who does so much for the business.

You sound like an extrovert to me, lol.  I can't imagine being that outgoing, especially about being an atheist. 

[gentle_dissident]

I can't imagine being that outgoing, especially about being an atheist.

We need more people in the field. I've been amazed by the number of atheists I've met in real life and on the net who have given up on humanity. They even seem to resent humanity.

[Recusant]

Hi.  I live in West Texas. I've come to be a pretty intense introvert, and even writing this introduction is a bit difficult, though writing is probably what I do best.  I guess I'm not quite sure where to begin.

Maybe with why I'm here.  I stopped believing in god a few years ago, and it was a huge relief.  This year, however, I've been going through some struggles with my career, and I've been at a loss as to what I should do next.  Before in my life, I relied a lot on instinct, which I believed (at the time) was directed by God or the Cosmos or something.  Now that I've been trying to figure out a new direction for my life, or find actions to take to change my life, I find I'm struggling a lot with it.  I don't know if it's because I don't trust my instincts anymore, or if there's just nothing out there getting my instinct's attention, or if I'm just out of touch with my instincts now, or what.  I often feel like I've come to a dead end.  Or at least to a place in the world where there are no longer any maps, and I just have to make them for myself now.  I just don't seem to be very good at that part.  Not yet.

I tried seeing a confidential counselor provided through my place of work, but I didn't find the sessions particularly helpful.  He wanted to talk about the situation I'm having at work and help me cope with it, while I wanted to talk about who I am, what I want to do next, and how to go about finding new, more meaningful work.  I think, with regard to my job, I'm a bit beyond trying to change my state of mind about it and learn to be satisfied.  I've tried very hard to change my perspective, because I know a positive outlook can help (I've managed to do this this in the past), but I just can't seem to do it anymore.

I guess I wondered how other atheists have changed their careers or have chosen what their purpose in life would be. How do you match up who you are with a job?  Are there any threads here or websites elsewhere that might be helpful for a introverted nonbeliever looking to switch gears in life?  Any good life stories?


The name for this forum caught my attention. Despite my skepticism about a lot of things, I've found I'm also a nearly perpetual optimist.  So much so I even get on my own nerves sometimes.  It just seems to be in my nature.   

Thanks in advance for any resources/discussion.


P.S.  I recently read this letter by Hunter S. Thompson (whose work I've never read or been interested in), and it echoed a lot of what I've been thinking lately.  I thought what he had to say about goals was kind of interesting, too, since I've always been achievement oriented.  http://www.lettersofnote.com/2016/07/your-type-is-dime-dozen.html

Hello and welcome to HAF, VedereD. Thanks for that intriguing intro post. I regret that I'm unable to offer ideas about how to approach changes in career, since I developed an aversion to the idea of a career early on. There are some very knowledgeable folks here, though, who might be able to help.

Regarding trying to keep a positive outlook, that's a worthwhile goal. What helps one might be strongly contraindicated for another, though. For instance, I've found solace and inspiration in thinking about how much worse things might be, but another person might just find that depressing. Perhaps somebody else will be more helpful. Anyway, I'm glad you decided to join the site.

I've long been a fan of Hunter S. Thompson's work, but I've come across several reports that indicated he was a rather difficult person to be around. I went to see him give a talk once, and he appeared to hold the whole room in contempt. I suppose in some way that's admirable. I enjoyed the evening nevertheless.

Some threads you might find interesting:

Where did you get your username from?
10 Things About Yourself
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From
Photography
Non-religious pet peeves
Pets...what do you have?
How to tell your family you are an atheist
"Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler

. . . And of course, the Forum Rules.

I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here.   

ETA: Maybe start a thread in the Ask HAF board about the career change/keeping positive questions.

[gentle_dissident]

I've long been a fan of Hunter S. Thompson's work, but I've come across several reports that indicated he was a rather difficult person to be around. I went to see him give a talk once, and he appeared to hold the whole room in contempt.

He was such an adorable grump.

[Ecurb Noselrub]

I live in Central Texas (Belton, south of Waco).  What city do you live in?  Near Big Bend?

Near the Panhandle close to Lubbock.

The Llano Estacado.  My family had friends in Morton and we used to visit there when I was a kid. 

[Tank]

Hello VedereD

Welcome to HAF. It's great to see a new member turn up.

Regards
Chris

[xSilverPhinx]

Hello and welcome to HAF, VedereD!

I wish I could help you but I've never had a real career much less worried abut switching. I have one question though, do you have other job offers on the horizon or are you going to start hunting one?

[Bad Penny II]

Yay! another new person
My prayers have come true

Hello new person

[Dave]

Greetings, VedereD.

I am still a bit shiny new (well, here anyway, tarnished and decrepit elsewhere!) and am enjoying the company. Hope you do so as well. 

[Icarus]

Welcome to the forum VedereD.  Hang in there and get acquainted with the good people here.

[VedereD]

I can't imagine being that outgoing, especially about being an atheist.

We need more people in the field. I've been amazed by the number of atheists I've met in real life and on the net who have given up on humanity. They even seem to resent humanity.

Hm.  I can understand being frustrated with us as a species--I often am--but I think getting fixated on a negative outlook is just sort of needless wallowing.  Overall I think we're capable of being pretty crappy, but at the same time we can also do pretty amazing, lovely things. 

Maybe one day I'll be more open about being an atheist, but that's a pretty difficult thing to imagine right now, given the area I live in.