My colleague, Stephanie Romero, wrote an article yesterday entitled the Top 5 Most Depressing Jobs. Apparently, a host on a talk show read an article about which jobs were the most depressing. I found the article quite interesting because Stephanie is a great writer and picks lovely topics and because I had one job on the list and currently have another listed.
The first most depressing job was working at nursing homes or child care facilities or child care homes. I ran a home day care for years. I have even written a manual about starting your own home day care. I will admit it is not for everyone. I will also admit it can be depressing. Home day care is the type of job that takes away from you and rarely gives back. Caring for children can be exhausting and thankless. The pay is low and the parents act like paying you pennies is too much. You feel disrespected and like your time is not worth much. The children are great but the parents make the job hard. If you have the right parents and reasonable hours the job can be fulfilling. So don’t cross it off your list just be wise.
The fifth most depressing job applied to artists, entertainers and writers. I am not an artist or entertainer but I am a writer. The article said that there were higher incidents of bipolar associated with these fields. Now do not worry, you cannot catch it from being in the arts. I would surmise that these fields attract those who seek isolation or to put on a persona or express themselves in a way not often understood. For me, writing is not depressing. I love it. There are times that the pay and the hard work do not match up. However, writing is a passion and if you love it then do it for the love of it not for the pay. If you seek only payment you will be disappointed for a long time an you may feel crushed. If you love it then it will always be worth doing.
Jobs you put your heart and soul into that give very little back are a dangerous bet. You need to be prepared for times of famine and not get puffed up during times of feasting. Remember that you are not the sum of what others think of you or the sum of your paycheck.