Letters to the Editor
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Published Letters: 86 Editor's Choice: 7
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You don't have to be in a romantic relationship to be fulfilled
[Read the article: I'm a busy single mom and I just don't want to date]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...That's what you tell your mom. Thank her for her concern, and let her know that you're perfectly happy with your life as it is. Most people probably do want a romantic partner, but there are plenty of folks who don't feel that having a romantic partner is necessary for a rich and fulfilling life. There is absolutely nothing at all wrong with that. In fact, your attitude is probably causing you far less grief than if you were someone who requires a significant other in order to feel validated and complete. It sounds like you already have a very full life: rewarding career, great relationship with your kids, and volunteer work.
Besides, your letter sounds like you haven't written off dating completely and forever - it's just not something that you want *right now*. That's fine. Just be with it and do what's right for you. After enjoying quite a few years as a happy single person, I unexpectedly met the man I'm about to marry next week. I definitely was not looking for anyone at the time; I just happened to meet someone awesome.
Keep your options open, and if you just happen to meet someone special, give him a chance. But if a relationship isn't what you want right now, there's no need to try to force it.
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Take up a new hobby or learn some new marketable skills
[Read the article: I think I'm addicted to quitting my job!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First of all, Kudos to you for realizing that the problem is with you and your restlessness, and not always with your employer. Self-awareness is a good thing! Along those lines, have you tried to figure out why you get so itchy for a new job every year or so? You mentioned wanting to feel acknowledged and possibly missed by your peers, but there are a few other things to consider as well. Do you define yourself primarily by your career? Do you depend heavily on your job for fulfillment and happiness? Do you actually enjoy your work, or are you bored out of your mind? You have many options. For one thing, you could decide not depend so much on your job for happiness and fulfillment and concentrate on your life outside of work. Another possibility is to learn some new skills so that you can transition into a related field that you find more interesting.
You didn't say too much about your life outside of work, but it's an area worth examining. Do you have relationships? a Family? Hobbies? Instead of living to work, work to live. Do well at your job during the day, so that when you're not working you can enjoy your life. Take up a new hobby, meet friends, volunteer, find something new that you and your partner (if there is one) can enjoy.
Also, if you like the company you work for but are bored stiff in your current job, talk to your supervisor and see if there is anything you could do to change jobs within the company. You may find some training courses you could take that would help you move up or move to a different department. Your company will probably even pay for such a course. You could change what you're doing without having to quit and find a new company. I work with several people who have done that, and I am in the process of doing this myself. I'm currently a software test engineer, but I'm working toward becoming a database developer because it seems more interesting to me. My supervisor is totally supportive. Many companies had rather train a current employee for an internal move than have to find an entirely new person. Talk to your manager and HR and see what options you have.
Until you figure out exactly what the problem is, you'll keep going through the same thing. Don't keep quitting your job unless you find yourself working in a negative environment. Try to make some small changes and see if those do the trick.
Best of luck!
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A gross over-slimplification of the issues
[Read the article: The dude vote]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think that it is incredibly naive to insinuate that the main reason people are voting for someone other than Hillary Clinton is sexism. I am a woman, a liberal, and an avowed feminist. As a woman in a predominately male career (computer engineering), have to deal with sexism - both blatant and subtle - on a regular basis. I also absolutely agree that sexism is still an issue in our society.
However, it bugs the living snot out of me when people say that the only reason someone isn't voting for Senator Clinton is because she's a woman. Maybe someone isn't voting for Clinton because they disagree with her position on the issues. My first choice in this election is Barack Obama, rather than Hillary Clinton. The top 3 reasons: 1. Obama opposed the Iraq war from the beginning, and Clinton initially supported it. 2. Obama is not surrounded by all the scandals and baggage that Clinton is. 3. I don't like the idea of the same two families running the country for 20+ years.
If Clinton is the Democratic nominee, I will support her in the general election. But she is not my first choice, and her gender has nothing to do with it. I can't wait until the day we have a woman president, but I'm not convinced that this is our best candidate.