I’m starting to feel a little bit of difference in my mind from the TMS. I have better days, my low isn’t as low. It’s weird to feel clear and calm, and to not spend so much energy fighting through the pain. (Though I think I’m exhausted these past couple of days, because I need to catch up from all of that exertion.)
My mind has started wandering off into thoughts of what I will do next. I don’t want to go back to the work I was doing (book editing, consulting, coaching), the struggle to get freelance clients. The work was too stressful.
So… what to do?
The first thing that comes to mind is art therapy.
I can use my natural creativity and firsthand understanding of mental illness to help others.
I don’t know if I can do this, either financially or stress-wise, and I’d have to take classes at the undergrad level to qualify at the graduate level, but I think I could do it. Where I’d get the money, I have no idea. I already have a lot of debt from law school.
Anyway… just some thoughts. Starting to research it. There are no nearby programs (I miss NYC and LA, because there would be multiple options!!), so I’m looking into online. Doing research.
It would be nice to have something to work towards again.
That’s what I would have to do. I started out focused in art and English/creative writing in undergrad (after I left Tisch for acting), but then I switched to music and English/creative writing after I couldn’t do the life drawing very well. I thought it meant I had no talent. Turns out, I just had a problem doing that particular kind of art.
The biggest issue for me is the money. I’d have to add a bunch of undergrad classes and get a second Bachelor’s before getting the required Master’s. I can’t even imagine how much more debt it would add to the pile. Good thing I already own a house, because it would tank my credit score.
I love school, but I see no point in returning to university as I can’t even work at Mcdonald eventhough I have a bachelor of science degree from university. I found university easier than work. Maybe bcz of negative symptoms. I did 5 semesters while on 20mg Abilify.
Definitely. I think I could handle school, one class at a time to start. Right now I’m researching to see if there are even opportunities near where I live.
I wish you the best with whatever you decide to do, but since you already went to law school isn’t there anything you can do with that education?
i don’t find doing art therapeutic. I took art classes in school and I was never any good. We did a variety of things, drawing, painting, clay, etc… It just makes me feel bad about myself because the stuff I create isn’t very good when compared to some others and then I got discouraged…There were some very talented people in my schools…
Well, I do have a pretty good sense of humour and sometimes looking back I laugh at how bad some of the the stuff I have created is. Here is the only piece of artwork I can find that I have from school, it is a cast of my face from Grade 8 art class that I painted, lol
I can’t do anything with my law school education, because I only made it halfway through. I had a break in the middle of it, started flunking my classes, and had to leave. That happened to me in undergrad, too, but I went back, obviously.
I’ve tried to get jobs with only half an education, and a legal internship under my belt, but no one was interested. They either want lawyers or paralegals. I thought I’d be able to work as a paralegal, especially because my research skills are so good, but again – no one was having it. Which sucks.
Unfortunately, I was just poking around at art therapy jobs around my area, and it doesn’t look like there’s much opportunity. Then again, I don’t know if people post that sort of thing on places like Indeed. The salaries aren’t great, either.
But at least my mind is finally thinking of the future.
I think I need to take some time to explore various options. See what my skills work for. Unfortunately, being an artsy type never usually pays much, and there aren’t a lot of jobs. But I will keep thinking and figure something out.
I’m glad to here the TMS is helping you and your thinking forward. I improved after a med change a few years ago and finally got a real job, but it isn’t anything special and it is only part time. The pay is okay for what the job is but it isn’t amazing.
I could make a lot more money freelancing as a computer technician because I charge $50.00/hr but like you said it is hard to get new clients I get new referrals occasionally. I am pretty good so once i fix their problem I usually don’t hear from them for a long time…That and most people already have a tech guy and other people are hesitant to trust someone new. I spend just as much time trying to reassure people about various things as I do fixing their computers.
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