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Old Jul 29, 2017, 08:29 AM
Anonymous55498
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I have never had problems finding my callings on my own and in my own ways and time frame as far as I remember. But I do relate to having many different (often interrelated) interests. I have also moved geographically a lot all over the map, not wanting to settle in just one place. I have juggled these in generally often unconventional career structures pretty much in my whole life, often ignoring more cautious and traditional advice. I have also experienced several periods of intense existential angst throughout my life, when I tend to doubt the value of the whole thing, question my own motivations, etc. These periods have very significantly decreased in terms of intensity and anxiety level though with experience and the repetitions. In fact, I am just in new career transition phase like that right now, except that now most people I consult with tend to be very supportive, I guess in part because my history at this point speaks for itself. Integrating personal history into it, I think that my psychological development and independence received great influence from my father, who was different in some ways but certainly similarly independent, a self-made man, and a very inspiring figure of my life.

"Being able to realize my true potential has always been one of the major themes of my life, if not THE major one" - I very much relate to this statement. In my case, it was never dismissed by the two therapists (especially one of them) since this aspect of me was the primary thing I brought to therapy, with both Ts. I wanted to focus primarily two aspects of my life in therapy: a nasty addiction issue and career-related things. One of them handled it very poorly though and kept trying to pathologize it, wanting me to focus on things that interested him and had very minimal relevance to my own life. I tried to look at it "his way" but when I finally confidently concluded that they had little to do with me and more with his interests/values/personality, I cut all connection with him for good (recently). I can easily see that T becoming very harmful for vulnerable people, the way he works. My other T has always been very open and supportive but apart from the moral support and a quite pleasant "peer relationship" sort of thing, he has not offered much really, especially for the high fee that he charged for sessions. I do keep in touch with this T though, we exchange emails sometimes. I do because I like him as a person and sometimes he gives me useful practical information (now, interestingly not when I was seeing him in sessions).

In summary, I also believe that some people are not meant to stick with a specific career route for life or even very long, and that the personal abilities (e.g. synthesis of different areas and coming up with new, unusual combinations) can be a great strength, something that more "linear" minds would not be comfortable with or could not do similarly effectively. So perhaps the calling in this case could be the synthesis and creative way of approaching many projects? I don't see any problem with that as long as we are able to also give ourselves a certain level of practical security, so that the lack of more basic needs will not interfere with the "higher" vocations and interests. Try to make sure that "Maslow's Pyramid" is not merely a house of cards. The latter aspect has turned out to be my most important challenge personally, and I see similar in many others whose interests are targeted towards the more abstract, varied domains of self-actualization. What is the most useful for me right now is occasional specific, focused, practical advice from professionals, like business consultants, accountants etc. I find the rest quit easy to figure out and can use emotional support and connection from everyday relationships much better than from therapists.

ETA: I did wonder what was wrong with me, for many years, when I was younger. The way I see many therapists' approach though, I think they too often pathologize these kind of patterns in very superficial ways, e.g. attachment issues or problems with commitment. Sure, some of my patterns can be interpreted that way, I do not deny it. But I don't see what the problem is as long as someone is satisfied with the way they are and do not cause harm to others. If the lifestyle and choices are not satisfying to the individual, that is of course a different issue.

Last edited by Anonymous55498; Jul 29, 2017 at 08:54 AM.
Thanks for this!
here today, Ididitmyway