What keeps you sane?

[Gnomad]

So, I'm going through a weird time in my life. I just lost my job and I've lost faith in the industry I work in. I could get a job in another company without a problem. I've made great contacts and with the incestuous nature of employment in the gaming industry, you're never totally out of work. However, I'm not happy. There's no stability when every day I have to look at who's hiring just in case... not because I want a better position, but because I never know if my position is going to be necessary... hell, in the next minute.

I've gotten to thinking, though... is it the job? Because you're never totally "safe", you know? Things could change for anyone in an instant. Maybe it's my personal life. Maybe I never found stability at home so I'm never content with work.

All in all, I'm most likely going to be making drastic changes and, for a long while, everything is going to be kind of different every day. I might be going back to school, I might just jump into a new line of work... I don't know...

So what is it that keeps you going? What is it that makes people stop, take a breath and not just say, but KNOW, that it's worth it?

[lmerr]

Re: What keeps you sane?

I think spontaneity and the whole "leap of faith" thing has been a big part of this, for me. I'm just the kind of person that gets really excited to expand my horizons or take on things. Sure, I get scared, stressed, worn out, depressed etc. but thats a human condition. More than anything else in life, I absolutely do not want to grow old and look back at my life thinking that I didn't enjoy it and make people happy along the way. I don't have to change the entire world. But I want to be on my deathbed and think to myself "I had an awesome life".

Thats doesn't always give me the exact answer I'm looking for every time. But it really helps steer me along the way.

Sorry if that doesn't help you any. Hope things work out for you. Shoot for the stars, man.

[InfraredDream]

Re: What keeps you sane?

I am glad you started that as, honestly, I was thinking a lot about you lately.
The reason is both my husband and me were in that industry for quite some time. Before. I quite several years ago as I got really sick from the industry. My husband continued and got hired from EA only to be laid off when the crisis hit even the so called "recession proved industry". We've been through a lot and we've seen several of the best companies in the business. And if I am to give you an opinion, the industry sucks.
I know pretty well this awful feeling of losing the sense of stability and the changes that makes to you as a person and to your life.
I never though I would post such a personal message here at all. I am doing it just because I've been there and maybe I could help with at least some understanding.

And to answer your question - music! It is always music. This is my drug, my religion, my motivation and my inspiration. This is what keeps me going. Always.
It might sound like a cliche, but...
Good luck, man, I hope you will take the good decisions to bring back the balance to your life soon!

[And we'll just put a happy little bush over here.]

Re: What keeps you sane?

sadly, i have just a career ambition that is just as tenuous as yours--well, at least at times. i am right now waiting on news of PhD programs as to my acceptance, and am constantly waiting for one academic journal or another to either publish my work or reject it. sadly, my area of study is a person--and a movement--that is known for its conservative nature; a conservative nature that continues to be reified in this never ending simulacrum known as academia. my reading is rather controversial, and tends to put me in a contentious position with the conservative ethos. oh, and did i mention that it concerns a religious historical figure and a religious movement that is still 'popular' today? does not exactly help. on top of this issue is the fact that there are not a lot of jobs opened right now, as academia is facing its own problems, exacerbated by the economic milieu we find ourselves. so, i am rather (in)sane, and have nothing to offer. sorry, i kind of ranted here....

[lmerr]

Re: What keeps you sane?

Auto, I think you did make a very important point there. Its that this recession and current state of things has been very tough on everybody. Its one reason I had been taking my time finishing up school…hoping things would be better by the time I graduated.

[Gnomad]

Re: What keeps you sane?

No reason to be sorry. If anything, it's nice to know I'm not alone in struggling with that constant question that can bring joy or despair: "What's next?"

[kata rokkar]

Re: What keeps you sane?

I think friends help a lot. If you can combine music with friends then you have a pretty good mix right there. There's something about going to a concert with friends or hanging out at someone's place while music is playing that relaxes me and hits my restart button.

[cribble]

Re: What keeps you sane?

Work and projects keeps me sane. It also drives me insane. It's a great love-hate chemistry that keeps me involve and interested day to day, and I wouldn't trade it.

[BuddyGoodness]

Re: What keeps you sane?

I am apprehensive about the future as well. I often worry I will not be sufficient enough in my chosen career once I start it. I will be in a job that I will likely not be fired from unless I seriously fuck up but I often wonder if I will even enjoy it once I am doing it. The only certainty in life is uncertainty. Some things keep me sane and what does changes all the time. Book, music, film, women, etc. It all depends on the day, some days I am never satisfied with what I have or my options.

[IKnockStuffDown]

Re: What keeps you sane?

friends, music, drugs. in that order.

[lmerr]

Re: What keeps you sane?

Thought of you when I watched this, Gnomad. Maybe you don't care anymore, maybe you do. Interesting nonetheless.

http://www.zefrank.com/zesblog/archives/2010/02/the_future_of_g.html

[Gnomad]

Re: What keeps you sane?

That was pretty interesting.

However, I have kind of pushed myself to make a decision, and as I said in a different thread(though it should have been this one), I'm done with the gaming industry. It was fun sometimes, but I had to ask myself a question and I had to be honest about it. Does video game QA make me happy? And the answer was a very enthusiastic no. So, I've moved on. I'm going back to school.

[Ars Sycro]

Re: What keeps you sane?

Thought of you when I watched this, Gnomad. Maybe you don't care anymore, maybe you do. Interesting nonetheless.

http://www.zefrank.com/zesblog/archi...ture_of_g.html

Greatest talk ever!

[And we'll just put a happy little bush over here.]

Re: What keeps you sane?

i am right now waiting on news of PhD programs as to my acceptanc ... .

no longer have to worry about this part. got admitted to a program.

[Gnomad]

Re: What keeps you sane?

Nice! Congrats, auto!