When did you hit your stride in life?

In My Humble Opinion
1

When do you think you really figured out what makes you excited and passionate. When did you begin to realize that potential and fly with it?

I ask because I’m finally at the point in my life where I think things are going to where I want them to, and that I understand my short and long term goals. I feel upbeat and positive, excited, and ready to go daily. I know my time in my current job is almost over in favor of new exciting things.

For those who skip past my rambling posts about life here is a recap for me.

2000: I discover i have a talent for music…not so sure about passion yet.
2000 - 2005: I embark on my music education degree odyssey. I work hard, but mostly for others because they encourage me. I am more of a puppet in this stage of my life, making up for lost time (most of my peers had been studying music since they were young kids…not me) Socialization skills suck.

2005 - 2006: I graduate, with aimless goals. I move out of my parents place and discover running. A new passion and life long pastime results. I am still confused about my wants. Socialization still sucks.

2006 - 2007: I land a teaching gig, it keeps me busy and for the first time I am not poor. I work my ass off and distract myself from life enough to forget about what I want to do with my life (as a guitar player, learning to teach band was a HUGE challenge). I teach in a small town, where, shall we say, i don’t quite fit in. I travel to Europe and see the world. Enough to be saddened when I return. I resolve music is my passion and I will go forward with it. My job will be used to purchase instruments, and recording gear.

2007 - 2008: This year sucked, the job could no longer distract me from my personal / social anxiety problems and the feeling I am working with no real goals. I get depressed and near suicidal. The low point is taking depression medication. I resolve to address my anxiety issues. I start to relax more and socialize more, and let myself for the first time in my life not blame myself for everything that goes wrong. Dare I say it I try to let myself be happy.

2009 - I have overcome most anxiety problems, I go out on a few dates for the first time in about five years. Running goes great, I complete a full marathon. All the time I spent buying instruments and recording gear allows me to score and record music for a local movie. I join a band in my town (which dare I say, I am influencing for the better) I perform at our relay for life and help make our annual arts fundraiser a big hit. I am upbeat, positive, and have regained my spunkiness…something that has been hidden under layers of self doubt, anxiety, and angst since I was a teenager. I am making lots of friends and people notice the change! My band kids rock at music festival and at their final concert. I feel like I’m on the charge, in one year I plan to be out of here with a whole new skill set and the tools I need to at least make a goal at music and teaching.

So in a nutshell, life is good for me right now. I think going through all this shit (and I know shit is relative) has allowed me to see myself as a real leader and positive force for change. There is nothing I can’t do, and no one can stop me. :slight_smile:

2

I hit my stride at 29. Finally got the major position at a major company. Thought I was on my up but it’s been decades of lateral moves since, each one harder to get excited about. I keep planning to drop out of business and go with my hobby selling art pottery.

3

My Dad hit his stride at 72, when he moved to a squat-building with a couple of young artists. He’s doing great now.

4

Hopefully in 2010.

5

Still waiting.

6

About age 32. Got sober, got confident in my core competencies and got comfortable with learning what I didn’t know, and it’s all come together very nicely ever since.

One of the best things: I got okay with uncertainty and doubt.

I’m 51 now.

7

My pattern is that I hit my stride, decide I’ve gotten as far as I’m going to get, then move on to something else.

This has gone on a roughly 7-year cycle for the past two decades. So about every 7 years, having generally achieved what I set out to do, I drop out of it and begin climbing another mountain.

Pluses:

  • I keep learning
  • Have been able to remove myself from some unpleasant situations instead of becoming trapped
  • For the first 6 years or so of the cycle, I enjoy what I’m doing

Drawbacks:

  • Never make the big money. Just as I start getting there, the cycle ends and I move on.
  • Although my resume is quite varied, I worry that my pattern labels me as one who won’t stick with things in the long term. However, I feel that doing anything for 5 years or more is long term.
  • My cycles with women are similar, but of a shorter period. That’s not good for them or me.

Right now I’m in year two of my present cycle. I have a feeling this one is either going to be shorter than usual, or if I get lucky, be my final cycle.

8

I’m 27, and am still waiting.

9

Around Stardate 4031.5

10

Just in the past couple of months. Partly because I finally started taking a mild anti-depressant, after many years of struggling, and partly because I finally have a job that I love, where I feel respected and valued, and that is paying me more than I ever hoped for.
(I am 39).

11

Stainz, I started Prozac yesterday. Would you mind if I e-mailed you?

12

Assuming the other shoe isn’t about to drop (knocks on wood): within the last year.

I’m making more money than I’ve ever made. I’m spending it more wisely than I’ve ever spent it. I’m investing 10% of every paycheck for retirement. I’ve got a good day job, and a very lucrative night job that involves very little actual work. I’ve developed an appreciation for art (something that had eluded me well into adulthood), and I’ve discovered some fabulous wines.

I’m not rolling in it by any means, and I’ve got some personal and financial goals that I have yet to achieve, but in general I’m doing better now than I have in a long, long time (knocks on wood again). I hope and pray that this lifestyle is sustainable.

13

I’m almost 59, and haven’t got there yet, nor do I expect to. Life seems intent on throwing changes at one.