Thoughts about life.
I was pondering the boring state of my existence just the other day, when I realized that having a job only improves things slightly.
The reason I was ruminating over it is because being a stay-at-home wife, your social life takes a big hit. I once asked a housewife what the biggest challenge/downside was to being one, and she said it was the loneliness and loss of social skills. When you're facing a toddler 24/7 and don't have peers to talk to because everyone's busy with their own life, your social skills will definitely degenerate from lack of use. Even though I don't have a toddler take care of, I can identify with the isolation. For example, it would be SO MUCH EASIER to go up to a stranger, make introductions and swap info about what I do or compare notes on what the other person does if I had a career worth talking about. But I don't, so I'm stuck feeling awkward.
And why am I talking about putting myself out there to meet random people?
Because as a stay-at-home wife, there is basically no other way to meet people. Other than church or clubs, of course, but clubs may be expensive, and I'm not really interested in anything enough to want to pay for it. =P Having a job forces you into companionship with your colleagues, whether you like it or not, just like how college forces you to get to know your classmates because there are common goals you're all striving towards.
At least, that's what I thought, until I started wondering, "What if I work in a place where I only have 2 other colleagues, and neither share any common interests with me?"
Why did I ever assume that life would always be full of meaningful, close relationships no matter what stage of life I'm in? No wonder many adults don't seem to have close friendships, and the best relationships are usually formed while we're still in school/college. Being earlier or later than your peers in reaching certain stages of life also changes the peer relationships a little. Like getting married earlier, or having a baby earlier, or working while others are still studying. Or doing nothing while everyone else is either studying or working, which would be my case.
Jia Wern doesn't like it when I tell people I do nothing, though. He's always quick to refute that with, "You do plenty, like take online courses and read books and volunteer." That's really sweet of him, but it's also true that that would be what most people (or should I say, nerds) consider "leisurely activities". =P
At least I get to choose and enjoy what I do now with my time. If I get a job that isn't my passion, other than the added productivity value of working for something bigger than myself, I would probably just be worn out and wishing that I could use my time for something I'm passionate about. The grass is always greener on the other side, eh? I bet my friends who are working in schools wish they had more vacations, while I'm here wishing that I was more productive. I really should learn to just enjoy this undeserved break. At the same time, though, it's so much easier when someone else is dictating what you should do with your time rather than you being fully accountable for each and every minute of it. What if I don't make good use of it? What a heavy responsibility.
Psalm 90:12 says: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
I know my time here in the States is limited, and that God has a purpose for my being here (and for the rest of my life, but that goes without saying). I just hope I'm being a good steward of my time, and that in every season of life, I will learn to glorify Him.
The reason I was ruminating over it is because being a stay-at-home wife, your social life takes a big hit. I once asked a housewife what the biggest challenge/downside was to being one, and she said it was the loneliness and loss of social skills. When you're facing a toddler 24/7 and don't have peers to talk to because everyone's busy with their own life, your social skills will definitely degenerate from lack of use. Even though I don't have a toddler take care of, I can identify with the isolation. For example, it would be SO MUCH EASIER to go up to a stranger, make introductions and swap info about what I do or compare notes on what the other person does if I had a career worth talking about. But I don't, so I'm stuck feeling awkward.
And why am I talking about putting myself out there to meet random people?
Because as a stay-at-home wife, there is basically no other way to meet people. Other than church or clubs, of course, but clubs may be expensive, and I'm not really interested in anything enough to want to pay for it. =P Having a job forces you into companionship with your colleagues, whether you like it or not, just like how college forces you to get to know your classmates because there are common goals you're all striving towards.
At least, that's what I thought, until I started wondering, "What if I work in a place where I only have 2 other colleagues, and neither share any common interests with me?"
Why did I ever assume that life would always be full of meaningful, close relationships no matter what stage of life I'm in? No wonder many adults don't seem to have close friendships, and the best relationships are usually formed while we're still in school/college. Being earlier or later than your peers in reaching certain stages of life also changes the peer relationships a little. Like getting married earlier, or having a baby earlier, or working while others are still studying. Or doing nothing while everyone else is either studying or working, which would be my case.
Jia Wern doesn't like it when I tell people I do nothing, though. He's always quick to refute that with, "You do plenty, like take online courses and read books and volunteer." That's really sweet of him, but it's also true that that would be what most people (or should I say, nerds) consider "leisurely activities". =P
At least I get to choose and enjoy what I do now with my time. If I get a job that isn't my passion, other than the added productivity value of working for something bigger than myself, I would probably just be worn out and wishing that I could use my time for something I'm passionate about. The grass is always greener on the other side, eh? I bet my friends who are working in schools wish they had more vacations, while I'm here wishing that I was more productive. I really should learn to just enjoy this undeserved break. At the same time, though, it's so much easier when someone else is dictating what you should do with your time rather than you being fully accountable for each and every minute of it. What if I don't make good use of it? What a heavy responsibility.
Psalm 90:12 says: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
I know my time here in the States is limited, and that God has a purpose for my being here (and for the rest of my life, but that goes without saying). I just hope I'm being a good steward of my time, and that in every season of life, I will learn to glorify Him.
:) Muah. <3
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