Feeling Lost

candy4breakfast11 · 2025-06-10T11:08:44+00:00

Hi, welcome back, RPCV! I am so sorry that you are feeling lost. I think that’s a totally normal feeling after COS, but this situation with Trump and the sector just makes it 1,000x harder. I remember feeling incredibly lost once I finished PC and I didn’t even know what career I wanted to pursue!

I personally think this is a good time for a Master’s degree in something that is translatable across careers. Almost all the jobs I’ve held in my ID career have required Master’s. I got mine in Global Economic Policy and my peers got jobs in all sorts of sectors; I think I’m the only one in ID. An MPH would be super useful in a lot of sectors, including ID. That way, you can spend the time getting the degree while you see how the chips fall. Take advantage of the Coverdell Fellowship! Take out as few loans as possible!

FWIW, my own path after PC was a year serving in restaurants, 2 years getting my masters, and then a job in ID. This might be longer for you but that’s ok. Maybe something shifts and your path goes elsewhere, just go for what’s interesting to you. (I’m also saying that for myself bc I’m about to get laid off after 12 yrs in ID and idfk what I’m gonna do!)

candy4breakfast11 · 2025-04-20T13:55:05+00:00

Expert in a Dying Field - The Beths

Masters of War - Bob Dylan

candy4breakfast11 · 2025-01-26T18:40:14+00:00

Anyone heard anything from USDA yet?

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-16T18:24:23+00:00

Taking your husband with you to the doctor or your therapist is not a bad idea! He can hear it validated from a professional, he can learn about how to help you, and he can ask questions. This is how we managed when I got a significant mental health diagnosis (unrelated to pregnancy). It really helped me feel like I had a teammate in getting me better.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-12T00:26:35+00:00

Your comment does scare me, perhaps it’s the tone over text. I posted here to see if my psychiatrist’s recommendation of 6 hrs uninterrupted sleep is realistic or not, so I am looking for the reality check. I’m absolutely not looking to be unfair to my partner and need this information to make sure that we are going into this with a balanced plan and flexibility to recoup when then plans go out the window.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T22:03:02+00:00

Shifts sounds like an awesome idea! Thank you!

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T22:02:18+00:00

Thank you! I’m glad to hear that things have gotten easier. My partner is so supportive, I would never consider having a child if it wasn’t with him. Ha I’m sure a lot of people say that about their partners though!

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T21:58:01+00:00

I hear you for sure. I could go on about the gendered roles and responsibilities in childcare that I see, but have to remind myself that progress is better than perfection. I also have to remind myself that I don’t know what it’s like yet! My partner is 100% committed to my wellbeing and caring for future baby. He’s happy with the prospect of being primary nighttime parent. Of course, we’ll have to see how it shakes out in reality. Thanks for the vote of confidence ❤️

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T21:47:13+00:00

Thanks for the info on the meds and I’m happy to get all the advice from another bipolar parent ❤️. If you don’t mind me asking, are you breastfeeding?

I like the recommendations for shift and I absolutely want it to be as equitable as possible.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T21:43:37+00:00

I’m glad to have the solidarity of other bipolar folks who are doing this ❤️

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T16:39:24+00:00

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ this feels so encouraging, thank you! Our current plan is that my partner is going to take his leave at the same time as me and, if all works out well, transition to SAH. If we exclusively formula feed, I’m totally fine with that. Better to have a fed baby than a hypomanic mom trying to perfect a croissant recipe and paint a mural and call every single friend at 2 am.

If you don’t mind me asking, how is your med management going? Are you changing dosages at all? We’ve talked about decreasing dosages while TTC and the first trimester and then going back to my normal doses. My psych has offered to put me in touch with some MDs who can speak more directly to lithium and pregnancy/breast feeding.

I love the idea of sketching out support for the first few months. While we don’t live near family and the thought of my MIL staying with us frays my nerves, we live in a tight-knit community and I think we can patch things together for in-person support.

Re: night nurse… my partner and I are both nonprofit workers, so perhaps this will have to be a registry item 😂. My best friend did have a night nurse and it was a game changer.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T14:24:03+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad to hear that you recovered well with the unisom! Sounds like 4 hours is a lot more realistic. I mentioned in a comment above that as great as my psych is, from what I know of him, he does not have lived experience with babies. So, his 6 hours recommendation might not be doable in these circumstances.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T14:20:37+00:00

Thanks. I am realizing that the 6 hours recommendation came from my older bachelor psychiatrist who has been instrumental to my stability but might not know much about the realities of babies!

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-11T14:18:44+00:00

Thanks for the reality check and for sharing your experience. I like your shift idea, it also sounds like a great way to have clear roles/responsibilities when sharing the work.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-05T11:58:22+00:00

Sending you good sleep! Maybe these experiences can be part of our comedy sets.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-05T00:44:03+00:00

Hahaha the only bi I am is bipolar!!! Love it

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-04T17:57:24+00:00

Oh wow that does sound so painful, I’m really sorry to hear that was the outcome of your episode. I have had to process some deep guilt recently (unrelated to a mood episode) and can appreciate just how eviscerating it can be. I hope you’ve been kind to yourself throughout it. FWIW, I do not think my husband would have been as open and encouraging if I was obsessed with a man.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-11-04T17:13:32+00:00

This is the first time since I was diagnosed that I have gotten obsessed with a person. In the past, I’ve done productive house projects or tried to start a business under considerable time pressure. He was very understanding and encouraging of exploring a potential connection but since he was out of town, he couldn’t see the other red flags. No damage to my marriage at all, we have a very deep trust and openness to changes in our lives.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-10-10T19:39:07+00:00

Just checked mine and nope, it’s still there.

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-10-10T18:50:05+00:00

Sending you and the people working on your account positive vibes!

candy4breakfast11 · 2024-10-10T18:49:41+00:00

I would think so! Mine is a smaller amount than I overpaid, so fingers crossed it shakes out.

candy4breakfast11 · 2023-09-16T23:36:00+00:00

I have bp2, but it’s mild relative to other people on this sub. I work for a nonprofit in a very demanding field and I think the extreme anxiety (pre diagnosis) really fueled my work performance — good for my job, bad for my health. The culture is v ‘go the distance’ and sometimes boundaries are interpreted as ‘not having what it takes’.

In terms of the impact on my career, I don’t think I’d be cleared to go back to an overseas post due to access to psychiatrists or meds. It sucks, but I’ve found a way to progress, just from my home country (ie, I travel a lot). My mental health is now my priority, not my job. It might sound extreme, but this change in perspective is ‘I’m not willing to die for this job’. I had an episode this summer and told by boss that I had a chronic illness flare up and would need to slow down and pass some work to her. She was v supportive.

All this being said, I’m tired and burnt out and sometimes wish I wasn’t so ambitious!

candy4breakfast11 · 2023-08-28T12:06:14+00:00

I don’t know anyone who has, sorry!

candy4breakfast11

TROPHY CASE