Monday, May 26, 2008

Midlife Crisis at 30


Macko and Rubin's 2004 title, Midlife Crisis at 30, is one of the most fabulous books I have read. I don't know if it's truly THE best book, but undoubtedly the most appropriate book for this moment in my life. It provided a great deal of clarity for me in many ways.
Clarification of "having it all" is addressed numerous times throughout this read. This is really what I needed to hear. My discontent with my life is summed up by the front page of the "Oklahoma Nurse" news publication summer edition. On the front page there are two stories highlighted, the first is the Clinical Nurse Specialist of the Year and the second is A Year in Tanzania. In high school and in college, I knew that by my 30's (at the latest), I would be in one of these two articles. I would either be an amazing clinician or serving in a desolate under served country. My arrogance ingrained that my success would be in either the fame of achievement or the sacrifice of service.
Well, here I am. 32 years old. Still working in an entry level nursing job. The place I swore you would not find me in my tenured experience of my nursing career. My senior year of nursing school we had to create an autobiography of ourselves. In mine, I depicted my many achievements of both career and family. My fantasized dreams are a far reach from what progressively became my life.
Please don't get me wrong, I know I am blessed by a family and a job that I love. But "having it all" did not really pan out for me as I would have planned.
So in comes Midlife Crisis at 30. There was no rhyme or reason to picking this book, I was just scanning the non fiction aisles and picked it up.
Narratives are included from a variety of women from the single, childless career woman to the woman who stayed at home since her last day of college. The best thing about this book is that it gives permission for women to take any role. The stories provide a sense of relief to the many pressures women face as moms and executives.
I've decided to blog for the next week, my favorite excerpts. I know many of you don't get a nice three week vacation from work or household responsibilities to read a 289 page best seller, but I hope this comes as the next best thing.
Please comment on this weeks posts. I'd love to hear your responses to the stories and thoughts from this book!

No comments: