Could Use a Little Help

A week from tomorrow Ryan begins his fourth layoff in five years. The last time we went through this I applied for over 90 jobs and didn’t get one interview. Ryan is an organizational developer/instructional designer/corporate trainer. I am an environmental planner. We each have a master’s degree and great references.

What amazes me is that Ryan’s and my generation is the first generation that will not do as well as our parents financially.

Even so, I feel fortunate for a lot of reasons.

First, my family is healthy and we are as close and loving as ever.

Second, we are seasoned at the layoff thing. I only mini-freaked out for about an hour, with no heart palpitations this time.

Third, we are going through this layoff debt free, which is a first.

Fourth, Ryan’s and my networks are bigger than ever, and he knows some great recruiters, so hopefully something will shake out quickly.

Fifth, we actually have two cars. They are old (over ten years each), but they work. For the last three layoffs we had only one car.

Sixth, we have become even less attached than ever. I enjoyed the last six months of blissfully homeschooling Colson (and I mean blissfully), but if necessary, I can hand that over to Ryan. My guys rock.

Seventh, the thought of waiting tables again no longer shakes my ego. I haven’t waited tables for almost 25 years, but you are never too old, right? A former business coach told us that we are too educated to do that kind of work and we should be able to leverage our education to freelance something. Well, I am here to tell you that apparently we are not freelancers and I no longer buy into that “you are too educated” stuff. My industry is tied to the development industry, and we all know that has tanked. Ryan is a trainer and that is the first thing cut in a down economy. You have to do what you have to do.

Eighth, the American Dream has been redefined for us. We crave freedom, which can’t be had if you buy into the rat race. Debt and the bigger, shinier, faster toys that cause it are integral to the rat race. It is my dream and expectation that in the next two to three years we will have purchased some land, put a yurt, cob house or other structure on it, powered our home with solar power and we will get our drinking water from the ground. I want a milk cow, some chickens and a garden. I want to learn to hunt. And I want to achieve it all with cash. Then the job market can do whatever it damn well pleases and my family will be fine.

We like North Carolina and we want to stay here. We have a wonderful community of friends, the homeschool community is unbeatable, and the weather is good. We will leave, though, for the right opportunity.

If you know of anyone looking for an instructional designer/organizational developer/corporate trainer or for an environmental planner, please know that by recommending either Ryan or me you are recommending not only accomplished professionals, but also some of the most grateful people you will meet. You can reach us at movingstronglyforward@yahoo.com.