new to the board

[lisalondon]

this is my first time on this board and having read other peoples stuff its nice to know youre not alone. i'm 24, have just graduated in interpreting and translating and now working full time in a bar. great. i'm tired all the time, depressed, anxious and have no motivation whatsoever. am fortunate enough to have a few good friends here in london but they all have 'serious' careers, which has two implications. the first being that i can't keep up financially with them, and when theyve got their weekends/evenings free, im working in a bloody bar. ive split up with my boyfriend who i was very in love with and just generally feel that i dont seem to be having any fun any more. anybody else? i used to be so carefree, and now all i do is work my arse off to scrape just enough money together to pay the bills. help! :cry:

Lisa

[KeepRockin]

First, welcome. I'm new here, too...

Second, you can still go out and have fun without spending a lot of money. I've learned that I can still go to a bar with my friends on a Friday night, but limiting or eliminating alcohol keeps some cash in my pocket at the end of the night. I haven't been to London in years, but like any large city, there must be free or inexpensive things to do...especially in the summer, no?

And lastly, at 25, I have yet to begin my "serious" career. I think different people are ready for that at different times. Don't rush into something that you're not ready for. If you are ready, working in a bar may allow you to spend mornings and afternoons searching for something perfect...just make sure you're getting that sleep you need!

[samender]

Welcome! I can relate to not having money to go out and socialize with friends. Growing up I was the friend that came from the poorer background. As a kid I got treated sometimes by friend's parents and was included with some things. As I got older money was still always tight in my life. But I did learn a few tricks to enjoy myself and not spend so much cash. When I go out with friends to eat I go when they eat at more reasonably cost places and I tend to buy cheaper items on the menu or sometimes eat ahead of time and then just have a drink. In the summer there are lots of outdoor events where you dont need to spend money or at least not much. I work during the day but I have some friends that work nights and weekends. The only way we get it to work is really plan things out. We dont see eachother nearly as much but it cant be done.

[librariangirl]

this is my first time on this board and having read other peoples stuff its nice to know youre not alone. i'm 24, have just graduated in interpreting and translating and now working full time in a bar. great. i'm tired all the time, depressed, anxious and have no motivation whatsoever. am fortunate enough to have a few good friends here in london but they all have 'serious' careers, which has two implications. the first being that i can't keep up financially with them, and when theyve got their weekends/evenings free, im working in a bloody bar. ive split up with my boyfriend who i was very in love with and just generally feel that i dont seem to be having any fun any more. anybody else? i used to be so carefree, and now all i do is work my arse off to scrape just enough money together to pay the bills. help! :cry:

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

You posted on my friend/library thread earlier - I just found this one. What "London" are you in? Is it London, Ontario?????? 'cause that's where I am...

[BsballAcctnt]

Hi there. I am new too (just registered about a half hour ago), but i love the stuff I am seeing on this board and I think it is awesome that there is a place where twentysomethings can go to vent their frustrations. Speaking of big cities, I am interning in the Chicago area (actually a suburb) and I am originally from Des Moines, Iowa. Its a city but nothing big. I absolutely love being near the big city and I am at a point where I need to think about whether or not I want to come back here after I graduate in May. Has anybody encountered this situation and feel like they want to offer any advice?

[summergold]

Hi there. I am new too (just registered about a half hour ago), but i love the stuff I am seeing on this board and I think it is awesome that there is a place where twentysomethings can go to vent their frustrations. Speaking of big cities, I am interning in the Chicago area (actually a suburb) and I am originally from Des Moines, Iowa. Its a city but nothing big. I absolutely love being near the big city and I am at a point where I need to think about whether or not I want to come back here after I graduate in May. Has anybody encountered this situation and feel like they want to offer any advice?

Hi BsballAcctnt, welcome:). I think many of us have experienced at least something similar to your situation. I was facing the decision of whether to go home, Atlanta, or stay in Rhode Island after graduation. The idea of returning home was kind of appealing, who wouldn't like to just chill at home and regroup, but that can also be a bit limiting. My decision was made when I got a job in Rhode Island. I stayed here and it was the best decision I have ever made. I was able to make my own life. You said that you love being in/near Chicago. I say go for Chicago. Right now, it seems as though you have nothing to lose.

[XJMP]

Lisalondon, what type of bar do you work at? Is it a "trendy, upscale" bar? Perhaps you should get a job a good bar. I would suggest to you that you should then work hard and try to get some nice tips. Some bartenders do well. I would imagine young ones at quality places may make a lot of money in tips.

Good luck.

XJMP