Ask Athena: New Me, Who Dis?

How to rediscover yourself for fun and enterprise. 

MID-LIFE CURIOUS

Q: I recently turned 40 and suddenly realized I don’t have any hobbies or interests outside of work and family responsibilities. I’d like to find something I’m passionate about, but I’m not sure where to start. Can you help?

A: If I started a list, it would take up this entire paper. There is so much to do!!

You have got it right – the core of the idea needs to be a passion. It may take a while to find your lane, but have fun doing it. There are a couple of directions you can go in.

First, find an inner talent or source of joy. If you don’t have one in your history (like you used to play the trombone in the band or draw anime), check out the options at places like the Mount Airy Learning Tree (MALT).

Their catalog is a cornucopia of things to do (more than 250 classes). You could learn to dance, meditate, or play a musical instrument. It is never too late to start, and a hobby can bring you such joy.

Or, you could help build your community by sharing your time. There might be a Town Watch, food delivery to shut-ins, clean-up of your local park, repair houses, or opportunities to read to local children in an elementary school.

Volunteerism isn’t for everyone, and some projects don’t work out, so you might have to try different options. There are so many nonprofits that need the skills and talents of volunteers. And, volunteers get such personal satisfaction from working with others.

Check out VolunteerMatch.org, a fantastic resource that connects individuals with volunteer opportunities in their communities. The website features a specific filter for Philadelphia, making it easy to find and engage in local causes you care about. The possibilities are endless. I have seen how individual efforts have changed communities and uplifted people who needed a hand.

Each one of us has something inside that can bring joy. You will find it when you do the work to look within! Best of luck.

OUT OF WORK (NOT OUT OF OPTIONS) 

Q: I was recently laid off from my job of 10+ years and am finding it hard to stay positive while searching for a new one. I enjoyed what I did, but the industry has been changing, so now I’m wondering where I even fit in anymore. Do you have any advice on how to cope with this situation and keep my spirits up?

A: Start with friends and acquaintances. Let people know you are looking for a job. It may feel embarrassing but know that people will want to help you. There may be a job available that someone knows about.

The next place to look is with any business you used to encounter in your old position. Did you do business with any local ones? Were there competitors of your old company?  Google these businesses. See if they have job openings. Call up any old contacts.

Put your resume on Indeed and other job apps, like Zip Recruiter. Look at the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia, they are both actively hiring and not just teachers.

A big change in the past ten years is the movement to the gig economy. Maybe check out some part-time work while you are looking. Consider training or education to boost your marketability. It may very well be that what you did before is not available anymore (after all, you were laid off).

However, there are jobs that may need your skills applied in a different way. Have someone help you with your resume after you have drafted it – focus on listing your skills and thinking about different ways they can be applied in jobs that maybe you’ve never considered. You might be surprised at how many new occupations you are qualified for, once you break down all the things you’ve done and learned in through your career.

Keeping your spirits up will be a challenge – looking for a job can get to the core of your being and feelings of self-worth. But remember, your job does not define you.

There are a lot of positions out there, and some kind of work is waiting for you. Your value is that you are a wonderful person. Make time for people who are important to you.

AGREE? DISAGREE? Please leave your remarks below in the Comments.

Send your questions to AskAthena@nwlocalpaper.com

Read the last Ask Athena here.

About Athena 51 Articles
When she’s not advising mortals, Athena spends her time on earth in NW Philly with her husband, two sons and a day job where she’s paid to tell important people what to do (naturally). Send your questions to askathena@nwlocalpaper.com.

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