Stress Clouds my vision... life/relationship Advice?

D_Journey
D_Journey Posts: 41 Member
edited 6:19AM in Chit-Chat
Okay, so here’s the deal, I need to write it out.
I am a rollercoaster of emotions lately, some days happy, some days so stressed and tense that I take it out on everyone around me.

I am on this rollercoaster due to the uncontrolled changes happening in my life concurrently.

I was transferred to Los Angeles for a temporary job a little over a year ago. The job was supposed to be over in August, but contract extensions have it still chugging along. However, it is unlikely it will continue past December. So, I am facing losing my job in the next few weeks. If I am willing to relocate again then my company might have another temporary position for me in Washington DC, New York, or Seattle. I have transferred with them a few times so far (Seattle – Santa Barbara – Everett – Los Angeles).

I have told them this time I am not willing to relocate. The reasons being that I have been dating a guy here in LA for this year; I could love him, and I have a friend from High School/College years that lives here as well; who I have been enjoying reconnecting with. My family (Mom, Dad, 2 brothers) also live within a few hour radius of LA, so being able to connect with them often has been a huge bonus.

Here’s where I get my stress:

I don’t know if I see a future with the boyfriend. …and I just moved in with him because my Lease was up and he offered…saying it could be temporary or long term, just for now it’s a place to stay until the dust settles on the job ending. Very nice of him of course, but it has me stressed because I don’t think we are ready for living together…AND It is only 1.5 years ago that I left the man I had been with for 7 years. So, living with someone new seems a bit suffocating so soon. However, it is allowing me to save up a little while waiting for my layoff…(my belongings are residing in my parents garage)

I am torn also over work…I could tell them I’m open for relocation, and thus keep open the possibility of them finding me work, it would obviously mean a move though…which would definitely squash the relationship. I wonder if my hesitancy to relocate is because I hold out hope of making it work with the boyfriend, and then think, is it worth throwing away your job? But again, there are other bonuses to being here, as I mentioned before. Am I creating animosity within the relationship over this link; thinking it should be going better if I am ‘staying for him’? Am I placing extra value on being close to family, friends, etc… in order to justify staying so I don’t have to walk away?

I have been thinking that LA offers a lot of career change options that appeal to me, if I could find a way to break in. I work as a Construction Field Coordinator, and would love to translate that skill into being a coordinator for Studio Shoots…Example – Coordinating all the trailers, meals, etc on film shoots. There’s a million options in LA for that kind of work (if they would consider me with my related, but not actual experience). I’ve also always thought of working as a Make-up Artist. I used to do make-up for free on little indie movie shoots in the Seattle Area in my early 20’s, but I have no professional training, and I know it would mean a massive pay reduction.

I don’t know what tomorrow holds, and the lack of control is tearing me apart.

Any advice, even a 'Just Breathe' would help :) and a friendly reminder to not eat/drink my stress, and undo my hard work.

Replies

  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    Just breathe, you can do this.:flowerforyou:
  • D_Journey
    D_Journey Posts: 41 Member
    Thanks...anyone have a crystal ball for me? Looking into the future and seeing that it all works out would be so helpful right now.
  • buckleten
    buckleten Posts: 205 Member
    No crystal ball, sorry! I imagine so much uncertainty over your job must cause so much stress, and does not help with any decisions over your boyfriend and living arrangements that you are having to make.. If it were me, and I had found an area I enjoyed living in, then I would probably want to stay put rather than relocate. It sounds to me like your are well qualified in your profession, and that you would find something else if and when your current job finishes pretty easily. Probably not all that helpful, but just wanted to say hope it all works out for you!
  • avir8
    avir8 Posts: 671 Member
    Only you can decide. Seeing as you have relocated before, I think that your job considers you an asset since you can and have moved to where they needed you, ( or else they would have dropped you long ago). Yes you have friends and family there, but like you said maybe you're using that as a crutch to stay with the guy.
    You need to plan on what you would do in LA if you weren't with the guy. If you can see yourself being able to live and work there, then find a place of your own, don't depend on the future with him since even he doesn't know what's going on with you two or he would have already told you he wanted a future and not just "short term or whatever"
    If you think maybe it will work out better to move to a new place and be able to make money to save and move back eventually remember: " You need to look out for #1 and that's you"

    I am a firm beleiver in if it's meant to be it will happen so it will work itself out in the end either way. Who knows maybe there's a hottie who may be the one in the new city.

    (In my experience:) Isn't it funny that you don't meet someone until you are about to leave a place you've been there for a while, :/

    oh and Just breathe!!
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    I have noi crystal ball, but I would say you are probably not ready for a serious relationship, and if you are, you haven't met THAT guy yet.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    It sounds like staying in LA has a not to offer, career wise, family, friend and relationship wise. And as far as your relationship you need to open those lines of communication and let him know how you feel. You're obviously not ready for that level of commitment. You need a place of your own. Tell him you value the relationship but the living arrangement is temporary. Find a job in LA, get an apartment close to the boyfriend and pursue your dreams.
  • notsosimplyabby
    notsosimplyabby Posts: 138 Member
    My advice is make sure you take two or so nights to yourself a week to go out with a friend or just go to dinner alone. Being in such a new relationship AND living together could ruin it and you NEED your "you-time!"

    Not sure if you are religious, but when I am in doubt or need direction in my life, I pray. Take some time to talk to the man upstairs and he will lead you in the right path! Who knows this guy could be "the one" and I would hate for that to be ruined over a job! You can get another job, its hard to find another soulmate! :)
  • D_Journey
    D_Journey Posts: 41 Member
    Thanks strangers...If i had a close friend I would cry on their shoulders with this, but all this moving makes keeping up with friends hard, let alone having/finding that bestie type friend.

    It helps to hear other's opinions/takes on this confusing situation...I find I latch on to certain lines of advice that you give, and that makes me realize I kind of already know the answers, and just needed them said to me 'out loud' to really hear them.
  • D_Journey
    D_Journey Posts: 41 Member
    abbyneekole -
    That's really good advice. I don't mind taking myself out to movies/dinners Solo, so maybe I'll do this a bit more often and give us both alone time....
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    Just break up.
  • stehmari
    stehmari Posts: 110 Member
    It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts. ~K.T. Jong

    Who knows if this is Mister Right, or if Seatlle or DC would be a good fit for you. The positives for LA seem to far outweigh the con of losing your job. Do you want to be established with a family and have to pick up and move? If so, I'd relocate with the job.

    It seems like your heart is where it should be-location wise, not in terms of living quarters. Would it be possible to move in with your friend? Your family?

    Sounds like you have planned out alternatives if you would stay in LA. If that's where you feel connected to, stay for a bit. Listen to your heart. It doesn't matter how much money you make if you're thousands of miles away from what made you happy. Some people love to pick up and go, some do not. Neither is wrong as long as the decision is made with the right heart.

    Do a pro/con list
    Talk to family
    Ask yourself where you see yourself next holiday season.
    Do you WANT to relocate?
    I'm from the DC area, I'd be concerned as to where in DC you'd be going-I wouldn't recommend some areas.

    Do some meditation to clear your head. I've found some free clips on youtube. Lita is my favorite, she totally relaxes me.

    Breathe! You can do it :-)
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