Kind of a long post....

I'm not mid-life, only 30, but I am single. I started not liking where I was in life. Seemed like all my friends were getting married, or having long-term girlfriends and "saving money". The job started sucking, so one day a year ago in September I decided to start putting a list of goals together. Included in it was getting the hell out of the town I had been in for the last 11 years. It made me start thinking about the future, and hopefully make those plans in the forefront of my mind every time I spend money, or plan to do something. It really made me notice my debt.

Well, I put that nice paper in a pile of paperwork that sat on my dining room table for a long time. Eventually it got put into a folder. I moved to Connecticut and was going through a box of paperwork. There was my list. It had about 5 items, like jogging 3 times a week, be under 180 lbs, pay off a credit card, getting out of town and getting a general class amateur radio license. I had paid off that credit card, and I was out of town. Ironically, my new lease started September 1st. Goal met.

I sat down again today and put together a new 5 year plan. It's a new place, a new job, and all new people, figured a good time to do it. I'd lost sight of the yellow brick road at my last job. I didn't feel I had changed at all in 3 years ( I had been there for 5).

It's not hard and fast, but it represents the things I think are important. On the original list I had like "be married" and other things that tend to just happen. I removed those. Instead I replaced them with things that would make me a better more well rounded individual. Stuff I think I might like, or would be cool to know: Like sailing. I now try to take one certification or class on something that interests me. All the while trying to pay down my debt.

You may want to talk to someone about your "crisis", just in case it's depression. Even if you're going to, I'd say sit down and write out your plans for the next 5 years. Start by writing down things you'd like to do.

My new list of goals is near my bedroom door. I don't know if I made the right decision, but I know I made a decision. People ask me why after living in Florida for 25 years I'd want to move to Connecticut. It doesn't matter, I'm just not in Florida anymore! However, you might want to check back with me in the middle of February. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />