tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post5172009581879577825..comments2023-10-01T04:07:06.115-07:00Comments on Ermie: InsomniaJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13731342099531328310noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-14788948391394550702010-08-06T14:02:46.135-07:002010-08-06T14:02:46.135-07:00I've been reading your blog for some time - I ...I've been reading your blog for some time - I find it interesting and inspiring, so thank you!<br /><br />I am in a similar boat. I have a graduate degree in social work, and have worked in the field for 15 years. Your description of the mental hospital resonated with me - I worked in an intensive care unit for newborns, providing support and resources for the families. My husband used to say that I would come home looking so traumatized.<br /><br />Now I'm taking a step back, focusing on my photography. Because I know I'll always be a social worker, it's what I am.<br /><br />Be open to the opportunities headed your way! What an exciting time!Sweet Ronithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16752693212023203652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-40128172721971226182010-08-05T10:05:17.281-07:002010-08-05T10:05:17.281-07:00Ilana, Katie, Janis, and Jen-
Thank-you for sharin...Ilana, Katie, Janis, and Jen-<br />Thank-you for sharing your comments, words of wisdom and stories with me. I truly value each and every one!<br /><br />It really helped me yesterday to read them.<br /><br />When I don't get sleep, I am a mess. <br /><br />I did want to add, that I don't regret becoming a nurse at all. I do feel I was able to help some people, and I met some amazing people in the process. I'm not certain how things will all work out, but then no one ever knows!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13731342099531328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-76724829405494136342010-08-04T22:29:39.299-07:002010-08-04T22:29:39.299-07:00Jennifer, wow - this really touched a nerve for me...Jennifer, wow - this really touched a nerve for me! <br /><br />I went to art school as well and since graduating more than 6 years ago I worked full time as a freelance illustrator which ultimately made doing something creative feel like a burden - all the measuring up and "making it" and trying to feel accepted - and then I decided to return to grad school for something "practical" (running away!). I'm one semester in and already having doubts about this path....Major major crossroad here.....<br /><br />I'm trying to learn to accept that a creative lifestyle is always going to be a gamble and we're never going to feel "sure" about ourselves. We see all the amazing achievements and creations of our peers and so easily lose sight of our own!<br /><br />Your textiles and work are beautiful! Self doubt will be your own worst enemy and do nothing but make it difficult to create. Just create for the love of creating and tune everything else out - future and peers be damned! That's what I keep telling myself!<br /><br />Your work is such an inspiration to me and to think you're only two months into doing this full time again. I'm sitting here with bated breath waiting for everything to come. :)<br /><br />xoilana kohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07578351648589517706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-9407987509750940542010-08-04T20:53:44.831-07:002010-08-04T20:53:44.831-07:00You are also a writer! I love this post -- not the...You are also a writer! I love this post -- not the fact that you're feeling insecure and unsure but the way you've explained your path to this point.<br /><br />I know what you mean about caring too much about what others may think. It's a trap that many people (myself included) fall into. And the worst part is that we're making this stuff up -- I doubt anyone is actually thinking these things. We can be so self-critical that it only paralyzes us. All I can say about this is, "Ughh."<br /><br />Anyway, all of this is to say that I think you're on the right track. Perhaps all of your previous artmaking is just leading you towards the perfect sum of all of your talents. Like Janis said, you're only two months in!<br /><br />P.S. You and your blog inspire me daily.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10335944821256382863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-58874932360627111122010-08-04T15:19:20.254-07:002010-08-04T15:19:20.254-07:00I really believe what Mae said so I won't repe...I really believe what Mae said so I won't repeat it... just give yourself a break Jennifer, be kind to yourself, you will do it - it has only been two months (though I know it feels like a life time). You are a very talented woman with resources - I believe you have what it takes. No need to define it yet...let your curiosity take you, play a little, and keep moving forward ... xoxoJanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561772857286838969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-26724674219906897112010-08-04T13:04:43.990-07:002010-08-04T13:04:43.990-07:00I also really enjoyed learning a bit more about yo...I also really enjoyed learning a bit more about your background, both artistic and nursing.<br /><br />It can be hard to not define yourself by what others see of you, in person and in blogland. I wish I could tell everyone I meet all the skills and talents I have acquired so far, so they will see me as more than I think they do (yes, I am very insecure). Thank you for sharing more about yourself, though I had a high regard for you already! (I hope that comes out as the compliment I meant it to :)Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13060330705058489120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-60183930166028737642010-08-04T12:58:26.305-07:002010-08-04T12:58:26.305-07:00Jen, I don't think there's anything wrong ...Jen, I don't think there's anything wrong with wondering what others think of you, though it can be hard to move past that and be just who you want to be. As a fellow art school graduate (I even avoided post grad life a bit longer by going on for an MFA) I totally understand being tired of the underpaying, unsatisfying jobs of someone just out of college with an arts degree. Even now, at 41, I keep debating what I should do with my life, should I go back to school (graphic design, jeweler, art education), do I have the guts to make such a major change in my life in hopes of pursuing a dream job? I'm sure it's really tough adjusting to life post-full time job, even if the decision was yours. Isn't there a saying, nothing worth doing is ever easy? Give yourself time, explore, experiment, discover... it's all part of your life, whatever the future holds for you.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13060330705058489120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-74877308860586253542010-08-04T10:03:18.747-07:002010-08-04T10:03:18.747-07:00Jocy and Mae, thank you so much for your thoughtfu...Jocy and Mae, thank you so much for your thoughtful words. They helped :)Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13731342099531328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-18878886683606660192010-08-04T09:23:12.349-07:002010-08-04T09:23:12.349-07:00Jen,
It's a big step to drop your job and go i...Jen,<br />It's a big step to drop your job and go into self-employment, but I know you can do it. You live in LA and certainly have the resources there that you need. You've already made some great fabric. I can easily see you continuing on that path. Whatever you choose to do, you can make real. You've also got a wonderful husband and a great network of friends that can see you through it. It really doesn't matter what you label yourself, at the end of the day you are Jennifer Parry Dodge, and I do believe are blessed. xoMaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01548197774146719907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948043824592486453.post-15895601540526543082010-08-04T05:12:09.140-07:002010-08-04T05:12:09.140-07:00Jennifer, you are all of them, or whatever you fee...Jennifer, you are all of them, or whatever you feel like picking up right now, today. Bravo for knowing where your limits are and quiting and for taking the next step. It takes courage, seriously. You need to try. I get it. Absolutely.Jocyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01390360190381241408noreply@blogger.com