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Forsaken82

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May 17, 2018
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This month (15th) i turn 38, finish up school, change careers, possibly move, and start the process of getting my hand operation in motion to repair a dog attack. Any advice from people who have had a huge change in such a small timeframe? Quite frankly my anxiety is having a field day! Sadly my motorcycle forums just say go ride, and the gun ones are full of armchair commandos who say suck it up. Kinda feel like people here are a bit more realistic.
 
Need more information. What was your previous career and why the change? The hand? Variety?
Does the career change require a move or do you want to move.
I've had a handful of obstacles thrown in my path and I still remember I was 38 once, it's a vague memory but I had to be 38 once, right?
 
My previous career has been IT for the last few years with private armed security and escort as a side job. Ive been running a welding shop during my free time as well. Im going to welding full time since im very much not a indoor cat. Im much happier with a welding helmet on laying in the dirt and mud.

My left hand was damaged on my birthday 2 years ago in a dog attack that severed tendons and ligaments and left me with nerve damage. They fixed it the best they could then and ive been dealing with it since. Sadly it has been a degenerative situation and im now a left hander functioning as a right hander. I had to stop training in krav maga and BJJ because of it. Ive been continuing to play guitar every night to save what flexibility and dexterity i can.

The career change will put me out of town most of the time so it makes more sense to just move to the town the job is in, or buy a camper to pull behind my f250 to save on hotels.

When i look at everything i have overcome already, homelessness, plus some stuff i wont talk about here, i know its just another step, but it still scares the hell outta me.
 
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Seems like your going against the flow. With your hand seems they would want you to do IT. I was just the opposite, I was a carpenter, general contractor, had a wall fall on me and me and now stuck in a wheelchair last 25 years.
State picked up the therapy and counseling and stuff. They were determined to make me an IT guy. I told them I'd rather suck out septic tanks with a straw.
On my own I volunteered at our local PD where the state said I didn't have a chance, not enough turn over. Volunteered for exactly 1 year full time, they hired me on April Fools day 22 years ago.

It is just another step for sure, think of it as just that and carry on. That's the downfall to any construction, just never know where your gonna have to be. Plus your either working long hours or looking for the next job.
My dad was an iron worker, hardly ever took a vacation cause when he wasn't working he was looking for the next job.
Course he preferred to work rather than vacation, I get a little of that from him myself. I like to stay home mostly.
Wife, she's just the opposite, we'd be on the road constantly if she had her way which she usually does.
 
Well your on a knife forum what do you expect us to say. "Get To It!! CHOP CHOP!!!".

But really tho...Change can be good especially if you enjoy what your doing. I always said there is only one thing worse than having a job and thats looking for a job so you got the hard part behind you already. Being close to work is a plus to preserving your sanity. I drive 120 miles a day and thats the worst part of my job. See! Now yall know whats wrong with me! Have yourself a logical reasonable plan and things will click and you'll be in your place before you know it. Oh and one more thing. Get you a cat this time.
 
Funny how fast things can change. I have a weld test friday that the job could net me a extra 1600 every 2 weeks. Fingers crossed since its a mile from home!
 
Dang! Im in the wrong trade! I can stick weld a little bit but i sure wouldnt do anything structurally important:D
 
Sadly im not real happy with how my weld test came out. They seemed pleased but it was sub par for what i know i can do. We shall see. Would be nice to get it, but im not holding my breath.
 
I know what it's like to be kinda buggered up (Yeah, I was 38 once, too. Even Before Bawanna.) but, you gotta keep a positive attitude about yourself or you'll be going no where fast. We can tell you sorts of things such as what our unfortunate experiences have been or how we think you should handle your situation, but what do we know? We're all full of it. It's harder'n Hell to keep a smile on your face when it seems like the world has got you down and kickin' you in the teeth. So do what you want to do, at least as much as you can and roll with the punches. I walked out to the blacksmith shop today, first time since my set-to last Thanksgiving. The two canes didn't stop me from running the forge and making 3 iron trigger guards. Couldn't swing my 4 or 8 pounders, but at least I did what I wanted to do, as much as I could and am quite happy about the activities performed. If the old man can do it, you can, too, so hang in there and remember: Non-illigitimus carborundum.....don't let the bastards grind you down.
 
HA! "Non-illigitimus carborundum" Love it! Glad your getting back on the monkey tools Doc.
Keep us updated Forsaken! Hope all goes well! I had a welding class at a local community college and man I sucked! I could not keep from sticking to my work but after got done with the class I found out why. I was legally blind in one eye and couldn't judge distance so It was almost impossible to strike an arc. One I got it going it was a breeze. This was about the time they came out with them auto darkening lenses but they were about $300 so not for me. Anyway I got that eye fixed and I find it much easier now.
 
I second Dr. Bookie. A positive attitude can carry you through a lot. I'm juggling more than I'm used to right now and I'm a total basket case so my 2 cents probably isn't worth 2 cents. That being said, learning to accept the fact that I cannot change the things that are out of my control has been helping manage my anxiety level recently. There are a lot of caring people on this forum that are willing to listen. You should have my email if you want to hit me up. Good luck on your ventures my friend.
 
I haven't made those drastic changes. I don't have the cojones to do it. But whenever things look a little overwhelming, concentrate on what you can control. One step at a time. If you try to do everything at once, nothing gets done. Sounds like you have pretty big plans. Knock them down into lists or outlines of what you need to do. That way, things get done and also you feel like you are making progress, which increases positivity.

My Mom used to have a sign over her desk that said "Yard by yard is hard. Inch by inch, its a cinch." Kind of hoky, but I still remember it.
 
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