Dear Answer Person,
I’ve decided to quit the Duke library system – but not the AP site – cold turkey. I have a little money saved, and I’m going to just take a few years off from “working” and instead learn an instrument. Why not retire when I’m young, and work when I’m old? My entire life has been one waste after another so far, sitting in classrooms and learning next to nothing because someone else hopes that I’ll use that sitting to get a job that involves MORE sitting, which will validate their life. Forget it! I’m done! I’m not asking anyone else to support me and if someone doesn’t like it, they can go explore the depths of the PQ4315s. [AP’s comment: the call number belongs to Dante’s Inferno.]
My question to you is, although the above makes perfect sense – a lot MORE sense than killing yourself at a miserable non-job in hopes of retiring in time to take handfuls of NSAIDs and sit around (not that I’m saying that’s the only other choice, but it’s what’s pushed on me) – why will no one else admit that it makes sense?
Your loyal questioner since the 1990s,
JN
First of all, JN, you can’t “quit the Duke Library system cold turkey,” because we’ve got the good stuff!
Second, you have to know you’re not the only person who’s frustrated and dissatisfied with their work life (hilarious title related to your comments and a pretty decent collection of short stories: Irving Welsh’s If you liked school, you’ll love work.”) If you can get by without working, more power to you. If you have to keep working like most of us, try to brighten your work environment by doing something extra nice for your boss. Just the other day, I went into The Perk and bought for my boss a shortbread cookie with light blue frosting that said “Eat Me!” It sure made me feel good to do something nice for my boss. Give it a try.