This is an encouraging story, Jane, and one that is 'on target' in my own heart and life! I am grateful to you for writing it and giving your readers an inside tidbit of who you are. That takes courage and you have it. God bless you in your career, Jane.
The pet care business is so important and it shows how kind and compassionate you are. Not everyone is cut out to spend their days loving and caring for our fur babies. I know how much I appreciate my pet care provider and if we lived closer I think my dog would love having you look after her 😊💕🐾
Thanks! I always enjoyed getting to how my clients, and our conversations almost as much as doing their hair! It’s touch leaving pets alone. We’ve had a trusted pet sitter stay overnight with our dogs (we have one now). We schedule a sitter before making vacation reservations.
Jane, You've had a very interesting life! I love your focus on people as a hairdresser and then on pets as pet sitter. I find it's very hard to completely let go of these deep insecurities, but we make progress year by year. I love how you celebrate your progress at the end of this piece.
I’ve met a few hairstylists who were wiser than most folks and also great psychologists. It’s a hard job pleasing everyone, but it’s also rewarding to make someone feel good about themselves. Maybe someone needs to do that for you? As for pet sitting, you are certainly doing God’s work, and I’m sure the pets and their owners appreciate it, at least most of them!
I felt appreciated by clients when I do hair then or now. It was usually comments from non clients. What I do doesn't feel like work most days. The administrative part does though as my business is growing and I'm stepping back a little more there's more of that and less walks for me anyway
It is hard making everyone happy. I was always picky about my hair so I expected those standards from everyone. You hear it all behind the chair. All good. I loved it and somedays I miss it
If we treated a friend like we treat our self, we'd have words.
As I am pondering my next career move I find myself minimizing everything I have done in the past. It's as if I have done nothing in my 30 years as a working adult, and I'll have to rely on someone to hire me to do something that requires no education or experience, because clearly my existing education and experience are not worth anything.
Thanks Elise for reading and commenting. I'm sure you have job experiences that you don't realize you have. I get that though. What type of work are you looking into?
I worked "for others" all my life, mostly in Academia. I like students but I am so over Academia. I want to do 'something else'. I'm restless. Something with people, something good, something with community - I have SO many ideas.
But I have no idea how to monetize or implement any of my ideas - not the first clue. And I've got to eat.
Thank you! I figured I'll start with writing - and community. The rest will come. I'm the sociable sort. One day someone will see what they missed out on all along.
I did chat with lady on a cruise ship one time: Her job was to tell the history of the places we were getting ready to go to. I told her that my big regret in life was that I didn't know her job existed. I wanted her job. She assured me that I had all of the necessary skill to do her job. I like people and many people like me. I'll find something.
Exactly Holly with unlearning negative false beliefs and standards. I do this in a nanosecond and don't realize I am. So much what we can think are lies and our own interpretation
You don’t have to defend or prove yourself, Jane! You are a stunning, brave, strong, creative woman!! Life is not about degrees. I think you’re a winner if you do what you love. You do! So you are the winner!!
Thanks so much!! I think finding our own paths is what finds us a winner! So many years I saw it another way. We need to embrace our own unique gifts. It's a process
This is an encouraging story, Jane, and one that is 'on target' in my own heart and life! I am grateful to you for writing it and giving your readers an inside tidbit of who you are. That takes courage and you have it. God bless you in your career, Jane.
Thanks so much, Jeffrey! I appreciate you reading and commenting.
It's my pleasure. I appreciate your work.
The pet care business is so important and it shows how kind and compassionate you are. Not everyone is cut out to spend their days loving and caring for our fur babies. I know how much I appreciate my pet care provider and if we lived closer I think my dog would love having you look after her 😊💕🐾
Thanks so much, Darcy! I know I would love taking care of your baby!
I truly appreciate your kind words!
We are not what we do…. We are complex humans with many facets!
So true, Diana! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and commenting
So true, Diana! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and commenting
Oh my…..I get you.
My hairstylist is a life saver, she listens advises and is a dear friend.
And as far as pet sitters goes, I wish I had one.
We don’t go anywhere because I hate leaving our pets alone.
Thanks! I always enjoyed getting to how my clients, and our conversations almost as much as doing their hair! It’s touch leaving pets alone. We’ve had a trusted pet sitter stay overnight with our dogs (we have one now). We schedule a sitter before making vacation reservations.
Jane, You've had a very interesting life! I love your focus on people as a hairdresser and then on pets as pet sitter. I find it's very hard to completely let go of these deep insecurities, but we make progress year by year. I love how you celebrate your progress at the end of this piece.
Thanks so much Sandra for reading and "seeing" this post. I'm blessed I've had those careers. I still have that pull to write
I’ve met a few hairstylists who were wiser than most folks and also great psychologists. It’s a hard job pleasing everyone, but it’s also rewarding to make someone feel good about themselves. Maybe someone needs to do that for you? As for pet sitting, you are certainly doing God’s work, and I’m sure the pets and their owners appreciate it, at least most of them!
I felt appreciated by clients when I do hair then or now. It was usually comments from non clients. What I do doesn't feel like work most days. The administrative part does though as my business is growing and I'm stepping back a little more there's more of that and less walks for me anyway
It is hard making everyone happy. I was always picky about my hair so I expected those standards from everyone. You hear it all behind the chair. All good. I loved it and somedays I miss it
We’d hire you for our doggos in a heartbeat! And fwiw, I got those comments about a “real job” quite often in my previous career.
Awww thanks!! What was your previous career?
I was a college football coach. People would be like, so what do you do the rest of the year? Uh…go to work every day like I do during the season 🤣
Oh wow. I don't think people really get what's involved with that.
If we treated a friend like we treat our self, we'd have words.
As I am pondering my next career move I find myself minimizing everything I have done in the past. It's as if I have done nothing in my 30 years as a working adult, and I'll have to rely on someone to hire me to do something that requires no education or experience, because clearly my existing education and experience are not worth anything.
Thank you for sharing your struggle.
Thanks Elise for reading and commenting. I'm sure you have job experiences that you don't realize you have. I get that though. What type of work are you looking into?
I worked "for others" all my life, mostly in Academia. I like students but I am so over Academia. I want to do 'something else'. I'm restless. Something with people, something good, something with community - I have SO many ideas.
But I have no idea how to monetize or implement any of my ideas - not the first clue. And I've got to eat.
I hear you with the ideas and where to start!! That's awesome that you have so many ideas. You will find it.
Thank you! I figured I'll start with writing - and community. The rest will come. I'm the sociable sort. One day someone will see what they missed out on all along.
I did chat with lady on a cruise ship one time: Her job was to tell the history of the places we were getting ready to go to. I told her that my big regret in life was that I didn't know her job existed. I wanted her job. She assured me that I had all of the necessary skill to do her job. I like people and many people like me. I'll find something.
Keep writing and the rest will come
That's awesome! There are jobs we don't know even existed. What a cool job she has!!
There is no kinder business under the sun. Godspeed!
Thanks so much, David!
Sending virtual hugs 🫂
Thanks so much my friend. I'm ok. I'm figuring things out
I have all the faith in the world that you’ll figure things out. Here if you need anything in the meantime!
Thanks, Lori! I’m good. What I wrote is nothing new. Processing 50 some years haha
🙌🥰🙌
We have to unlearn all that we have learned up to this point. So difficult I know. One foot in front of the other. Keep moving forward.
Exactly Holly with unlearning negative false beliefs and standards. I do this in a nanosecond and don't realize I am. So much what we can think are lies and our own interpretation
You don’t have to defend or prove yourself, Jane! You are a stunning, brave, strong, creative woman!! Life is not about degrees. I think you’re a winner if you do what you love. You do! So you are the winner!!
Thanks so much!! I think finding our own paths is what finds us a winner! So many years I saw it another way. We need to embrace our own unique gifts. It's a process
Absolutely.