I am beginning to wonder if I am cut out for my job. I can outwrite anybody and am a thorough reporter (the two are different things), and most of the time I enjoy it. But the hours stink (and are going to get worse for me next week), the money stinks, and I'm crumbling under the pressure of having to produce high-quality work constantly.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has changed horses in midstream, as it were, and how you did it. I have two ideas of what I would like to do -- one would be a lateral move into another medium, which would require very little on my part, and one would be a complete departure from anything communications-related and involve going back to school, etc. It also would involve taking classes that scare me and that I'm convinced I can't do because I was constantly told I was stupid and lazy in that particular part of the curriculum, and that "girls don't do that" type of work.

I don't know what's bringing this on. I don't know if it's a combination of a new job and a new town (which I hate living in), or if it's boredom or a midlife crisis or what. I just want to figure out what my options are and hear some real-life stories. Anybody?

CB