I need a hug (Reston, Tysons Corner: mortgage, living in, cost of)

[seiketsu]

Usually I'm pretty content with life, but I've been having a rough time at work, which is wearing on my tolerance for living in NoVA. I feel like I can't really complain because I have a good job that pays the bills, but I fantasize about a grand "take this job and shove it" escape. Where's an emergency exit slide when you need one?

I feel a bit trapped because of the mortgage and the sucky economy. I wish I lived in a country where health care was tied to being human and not to having a certain level of employment. I wish I lived in a country that provided maternity leave and free or affordable childcare, so that I could feel confident enough to start a family.

I wish I were brave enough to seek a new path without a safety net, instead of staying with the status quo for the sake of stability. I wish I could choose a place to move to -- maybe San Francisco, maybe an island in the middle of nowhere, anyplace where winter doesn't exist -- and have faith it would all work out.

I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow, and I wish I didn't have to sit in traffic for the better part of an hour to get there.

I need a hug.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by seiketsu

Usually I'm pretty content with life, but I've been having a rough time at work, which is wearing on my tolerance for living in NoVA. I feel like I can't really complain because I have a good job that pays the bills, but I fantasize about a grand "take this job and shove it" escape. Where's an emergency exit slide when you need one?

I feel a bit trapped because of the mortgage and the sucky economy. I wish I lived in a country where health care was tied to being human and not to having a certain level of employment. I wish I lived in a country that provided maternity leave and free or affordable childcare, so that I could feel confident enough to start a family.

I wish I were brave enough to seek a new path without a safety net, instead of staying with the status quo for the sake of stability. I wish I could choose a place to move to -- maybe San Francisco, maybe an island in the middle of nowhere, anyplace where winter doesn't exist -- and have faith it would all work out.

I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow, and I wish I didn't have to sit in traffic for the better part of an hour to get there.

I need a hug.

Yeah, healthcare throughout the US does suck - unless you have the right employer and love your job. You can't escape that unless you escape America.

San Francisco....hmm...I've lived in both NYC and SF...SF absolutely sucks and the weather isn't all that great either. Granted I was there in 2002 for a year just after 9-11 when the dot-com went bust. But basically they just simply don't have the jobs you find on the East Coast, and the cost of living is horrendous for what they pay. I think you'd feel even more stressed there. It is a beautiful place, but certainly filled with many of it's own problems. While they don't have winter, they also don't have summer. Meaning even in June/July, you're still layering your clothing, and can still get that chill to the bone at times.

[Alicia Bradley]

Where's that 'free hugs' guy when you need him?

I've been feeling pretty 'blah' lately, too. On the SF topic, I wouldn't mind a year-round climate of chilly, overcast weather (and, no, I'm certainly no 'goth,' thanks very much ). I just feel like I've been waiting too long for it to get cold and, well, spooky, with a vague smell of burning (not burning leaves.. though the scent is definitely associated with the forest and colder weather). I suppose it'll get here when it gets here.

But anyway - *awkward hug*. I hope it helps.

[Denton56]

Yeah, I wish I could make other people pay for stuff I want too.

Hope you feel better.

[ajzjmsmom]

Sorry you had a bad day, hopefully today is better.

[robbobobbo]

Originally Posted by seiketsu

I feel a bit trapped because of the mortgage and the sucky economy. I wish I lived in a country where health care was tied to being human and not to having a certain level of employment. I wish I lived in a country that provided maternity leave and free or affordable childcare, so that I could feel confident enough to start a family.

I wish I were brave enough to seek a new path without a safety net, instead of staying with the status quo for the sake of stability. I wish I could choose a place to move to -- maybe San Francisco, maybe an island in the middle of nowhere, anyplace where winter doesn't exist -- and have faith it would all work out.

I can certainly sympathize. Big change carries unknown risks, and many of us will remain with what is known and comfortable, even if "comfortable" feels like stagnation. Wishing you better days.

[rvasonicbloom]

Lots of solutions and alternatives to your issues without leaving NOVA...

Hope your day gets better.

[AlexandriaVa11]

(Hug)

Hope you feel better!

[SteelCityRising]

If it makes you feel any better you're most certainly not on your own with your apprehensions and concerns. I was so stressed out Monday evening about life that I made myself sick, and I've now had to call off today to spend some quality time with my "Neti Pot."

This area can be very unkind and unforgiving. It is the type of area that chews up many people, spits them out like sunflower seeds, and then just keeps on going. I, too, have a stable job that (barely) pays the bills, but after feeling demoralized again yesterday I also have fantasies about just quitting and going back to my beloved roots in retail sales, working two jobs and living in a cheaper city with a higher quality-of-life in return.

There are a lot of very stressed people living here. My 50-minute-long commute yesterday afternoon between Tysons Corner and Reston (seven miles) was evidence of this as everyone was jockeying for position, blaring on their horns, and looked noticeably stressed/distraught---like rats in a cage. I always sit here wondering when or if all of the hard work I've invested into my life so far will start to pay off in terms of happiness, and I often find myself drawing a blank on that one.

For what it's worth I give some very amazing bear hugs and have managed to assuage the sadness out of people by holding them tightly and rocking them for a while as they let out all their frustrations with life here. I know we're strangers, but if you ever feel as if you need something like that I'm here!

Until then----CYBER HUG!

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Denton56

Yeah, I wish I could make other people pay for stuff I want too.

MUST you (and several others on here) throw a condescending jab into everything? I don't think she's advocating for "freebies" in life. She's obviously just distraught right now from stress and needed this opportunity to vent. Try being supportive and compassionate on occasion. It feels good.