should I go back to being a wagie Anonymous 123251
I always wanted to be a writer (yeah, I know), but I went into STEM because it seemed the more practical choice. Throughout undergrad, I spent all of my free time writing short stories, random experimental pieces, and fanfiction. Frankly, I took it more seriously than my actual work. Now, due to cognitive dysfunction caused by severe mental illness, I can barely do my real job at all. I'm still able to write, albeit much slower; it's all I've been doing while on medical leave. Now, my leave is about to end. I'm worried that I still won't be able to do my job (I've only just begun to see minor results from treatment), but my main concern is that the extreme stress of my job will keep me from writing (like it did before I went on leave). I hated my job even before I started having health issues, since the work environment is hostile to women and the job itself is at once both stressful and soul-crushingly boring. What should I do? My degree is in mathematics and math is what I'm having the most trouble doing right now, so I don't even know what other job options would be good for me. I was thinking of just going back to being a wagie so I can spend my free time writing. I have no illusions about the likelihood of becoming successful as a writer, but at least I'd be able to do what I enjoy. I am open to other suggestions, though.
Anonymous 123253
for wagies i like the idea of having a van or RV/truck to live in parked right outside the job, that way you don't have horrible traffic to deal with. though might not be for everyone. kind of cool to take slow adventures. if i had known how cool having a van would have been, i would have lived differently, i would have gotten one 10 years earlier.
Anonymous 123259
>>123253that's a really interesting idea, I'll look into it
Anonymous 123261
I know this isn't what you're asking but I'd love to read something you've written, nona.
Regarding your situation, I wish I could give you directions, but I'm pretty much in the same boat (except my degree is in literature) and my only plan so far is to try to get some disability benefit before I've exhausted what little money I got from my family.
Anonymous 123722
oh no
I am in STEM and I hate my job. Doing university was fun, but doing it as a job with all the asshole bosses, the office politics, the constant deadlines is totally killing me. I thought about going into writing too, I even went to a fun writers workshop last week.
But I know I wouldn't make it. My savings would last for five years but then I would be broke and probably out of a job forever.
