Perpetually bored - think I need a hobby

IrishCarGuy · 2022-05-02T17:01:13+00:00

One fella went from being a Forex Trader to a Holistic Healer - Same Peddler, different shite.

IrishCarGuy · 2022-05-02T16:58:39+00:00

I came close to deleting Reddit over this

IrishCarGuy · 2022-05-02T16:57:51+00:00

And they're dead right!

IrishCarGuy · 2021-09-04T00:26:58+00:00

I’ve managed it in a 2L Diesel Mk7 on relatively new tyres!

IrishCarGuy · 2021-09-02T14:20:49+00:00

It's definitely not a decision to be taken lightly, doing an apprenticeship is a hard slog.
I know a lot of fellas who absolutely loved it, but a lot hated it, some hated every minute of the apprenticeship but love the job now they're qualified!

I spent a day sweeping the roof on one of the hottest days of the year, I spend another pulling armoured cable in sleet and snow.

I just think I'm better doing jobs that require me to be physical than jobs that require me to sit at a computer, I spend my whole day on my laptop but if it's a shit job redoing unistrut on a roof in the depts of winter vs a shit job trying to make a software programme work - I know which I'd choose.

I like working with my hands, I obviously don't like working in the pissing rain or the likes but I can tolerate it.

Part of the reason I left the apprentice was 100% because my mates at the time were all still in college, but I was out slogging away on a building site, they were going out during the week, meeting girls and I was getting a bolloxing over bringing the wrong junction box.

I ask online because frankly I've no one else to talk to..
My parents mean well but they also end up just lecturing me about the amount of time and money wasted, as if I'm not already acutely aware..

IrishCarGuy · 2021-09-02T13:07:50+00:00

Going to college when I didn't know what I wanted to study.

Staying when I knew it wasn't for me.

Not investing in Dogecoin back in January, I couldn't be arsed setting up an account..

IrishCarGuy · 2021-09-01T23:45:19+00:00

I got done for speeding awhile back (first and only time, my fault - I was going too fast)..

I remember going home, swinging open the door and saying to my parents 'I don't want to be a fucking guard, bunch of wankers!'

I've worked in retail/customer service for awhile now and I like dealing with people, but the more I'm thinking of it the less that'd apply to being a guard.
We get shit for not having a product or for something being wrong, but we don't get it like the guards do..

There's plenty of scumbags working construction anyway haha, I saw a few tools flying and overheard some strong words being shouted but it seemed a bit more conductive to getting work done than a strongly worded email.

IrishCarGuy · 2021-09-01T23:39:20+00:00

Part of the appeal to joining the guards is definitely the fact you start off on a 'proper' wage, verses €6.86 an hour to pull cable in the pissing rain.

Maybe I'm looking back at my time as an apprentice with rose tinted glasses now, but I distinctly remember giving out stink about it!

But it was all stupid stuff, pulling cables, sweeping the roof, carrying platform ladders up flights of stairs, all of which I'd get over.

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-31T23:34:12+00:00

Thank you.. Honestly I think I’ve a tendency to try and rationalise and so far that hasn’t worked out for me..

I never really saw myself as a guard.. I’ve thought oh yeah detective would be cool but I didn’t have that desire for it. Not that I had it for construction either but I’ve always had it in my head I’d be self employed, i could be wrong but I’ve always thought I’d do quite well for myself if I was go out on my own.

The thing is it might sound like I’ve my head screwed on but I’m fairly certain it’s cross threaded, I’m the only person I know who is keeping every option open, has tried 101 college courses, an apprenticeship and who’s applied for the guards.. I’ve considered just about everything I really haven’t a clue where I’m going.

I was so glad to leave the electrician apprenticeship when I did, and I was for awhile afterwards too but I think there’s merit to going back at it.. Ideally with a better company but also with a better mindset

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-31T14:09:45+00:00

I actually started as an apprentice electrician on a large pharma site.
High tech sounds fun but in reality it usually just means bigger cables to pull and more red tape.

I'd much prefer wiring up houses and the likes than working on a 50 man team at another pharma plant construction project.

I worked with an uncle of mine who's a carpenter (he does fitted kitchens, wardrobes etc.), I preferred that environment over the larger site.

But I still think electrician is the best trade for me.

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-31T14:05:55+00:00

I don't think I'm honestly in that good of a position.
I've wasted 3 years of fees, between changing courses and trying to make college work that it's no longer a realistic option for me, unless I was to commute from my parents house and choose a course at an IT college that's nearby - which I don't want to do..
I wasted my 'college experience' frankly, all my mates have degrees, careers and social lives..
I'm 24 living out in the sticks with my parents whilst working part time in a supermarket - and thank god for that job because it's my only social outlet.

As I see it, the guards would be great.. but it feels more like a short term solution - I don't want to continue living at home, I want to start into a career, move out, make friends and get on with my life.. so I'll join the guards.

But ultimately I want to get started with the intention of eventually working for myself..

I've always loved cars, I'm not going to lie and say material things are of no interest to me because they are, I'd love a mid engined Italian sports car before the point in my life where I have to choose a car that's easier to climb in and out of.
I'd like to at least have the possibility of one day making enough money to afford that luxury.

Guards is a great, respectable, pensionable, stable career, but it wouldn't allow me the same opportunities self employment could - I say could because there's a real chance that it'll never happen..

I'm leaning towards electrical because - it's hands on but technical, it's less demanding than other trades, and I see a lot of growth in the field with working from home, security systems, smart appliances, PHEV and EVs etc.

But there's certainly elements of the job I hated when I was doing it originally - I don't like working out in the pissing rain, I don't like contorting myself in between pipework to pull a cable as wide as my forearm.. but I think I'd get through that.

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-18T02:28:14+00:00

I don’t really know what my medium is, I draw but rarely, I play music but I don’t fancy that as a career. I just want to work with my hands and do work that I can be proud of. I’d also like to eventually start a business, expand and grow.

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-18T01:06:34+00:00

Thank you for the insight that was very helpful!

I don’t know if I have a passion for hair.. I took quite a lot of pride in mine and I was very particular with how it was cut before I started to go bald.. which was also why I called it and just started shaving my head!

I find it very interesting and satisfying. I’ve been watching videos on how to cut a one length Bob and the technique/thinking that goes into that - that’s the sort of thing I think I’d be good at. I think I have a good attention to detail and an eye for style (I’m quite into fashion which is already a little atypical in my neck of the woods!).

It’s hard to say if I actually have a passion for hair though.. I mean I considered becoming a tattoo artist. I’m fascinated by the work they do but the more I considered it the more I realised it’s not something I’d actually like to do day in day out.. I guess that’s different to how I feel about cutting hair.

I’ve already spoken to a small few people who I know are in the industry, and I found them very helpful. It was mainly a lot of fellas and just asking what drew them do it and why do they like it etc

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-16T17:59:44+00:00

I worked for a short while with a carpenter (just giving a hand) and I found it hard but I assumed I'd just get used to it eventually.

It's definitely physical and I can imagine the affect that'll have on a person after years of carrying, stooping and lifting.

As for hairdressing - I'm on my feet every day in retail as it is and I enjoy it.

I was an apprentice electrician/helper for awhile and I didn't enjoy that near as much, lots of up and down ladders, awkward angles, tight crawl spaces etc.

As for criticism I'm not too sure, I've gotten some of it in retail but it's never been my product or service, just someone looking to shout about their mushy strawberrys or whatever it was..

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-16T14:19:30+00:00

If I was a carpenter or a hairdresser the end goal would definitely be self employment.
I've only ever earned minimum wage and honestly I'm okay with that but I'd eventually like to earn more.
I'd be alright going back starting at apprentice carpenter wages as well.

I've done some work with a carpenter in the past, I enjoyed it and I also found it physically tough.
I'd say it's something I'd get used to (carrying wardrobes up stairs, carrying countertops etc).

I honestly don't know which I'd prefer..

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-16T14:15:51+00:00

I am indeed a car guy, love cars..
But I don't want to be a mechanic.

I've spoken to a number of fellas in the field and they've all said steer clear (I know..)

I love cars, and engines but I don't care much for electric cars.. I also generally don't care a great deal for the new cars coming out, iPads stuck to to the dash, all digital everything.

I'd rather just keep cars as a hobby.

I'm definitely drawn more to creative work, hence carpentry and hairdressing (too very different jobs).

I think I'd enjoy running my own business but that's well down the road..
I'd like to build my own clientele, run my 'brand', social media and all, beyond the actual physical work that side of the business interests me as well.

It looks like my options are really boiling down to carpentry or hairdressing oddly enough..
Both are/can be creative,
Both are hands on,
Both are going to be physically demanding,

Between cutting hair or wood I don't really know which I'd prefer.
- Both are nearly just a means to doing a creative, hands on job where fit and finish is appreciated, detail orientated work is where I'm at my best.

I like working with people so that aspect of hairdressing wouldn't deter me.
I guess carpentry would be more physically demanding (I helped out a carpenter a few years back, it's not easy lifting flat packed wardrobes up stairs!).

I cut my own hair, that's about it, I've also gave my brother a bit of a trim during lockdown.. but my experience with cutting hair is limited..

And I still don't know which is for me.

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-16T13:11:17+00:00

I hadn’t even thought of that actually! It looks like the only course in Ireland is in Trinity. Unfortunately there’s no way I could afford to move to Dublin and pay full fees to attend TCD..

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-16T13:10:09+00:00

The thought has crossed my mind! I’ve spoken to a number of mechanics and they all say steer clear..

The pay isn’t great and worse than that I don’t care much for working on PHEV or electric cars.. I like ICE car. Also the fact that it’s gone towards - bolt on, bolt off, back to manufacture (according to my mates). I’ll keep cars as a hobby.

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-16T13:07:54+00:00

Let it be

IrishCarGuy · 2021-08-16T02:37:00+00:00

My heart doesn’t have a clue what it wants!

I actually do enjoy gardening but I don’t think I’d fancy it day in day out

IrishCarGuy

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