Where do you see yourself in 5 years/10 years?

This is kind of an interesting question that I've been throwing at myself lately. With my youngest preschool age, I'm entering a new phase in my life. The most that I've done since graduating with my MS is some little science writing gigs and helping some students prepare for the ACT exam. This is fun, and although it isn't where I saw mself years ago, I DO feel that I am where I am supposed to be at this point in my life...but what the next chapter holds is the question....I'm just sort of curious as to what other people see for themselves in the future and how you came up with your plan. My goals have changed quite a bit over the last several years....I'd just love to hear where everyone else is at.


Kris

[Meenah]

That is a tough question. I'll have to think about it and post later!!!!!!!!!!
Luanne

In five years? Still working as a mom full-time (but hopefully much wiser).
In ten years? I'm not sure. I'll probably be homeschooling my children but it's possible that by then I'll have gone back to school. Ten years is a long time to change plans, though. Ten years ago I was 17 and clueless!!! Now I'm 27 and a bit less clueless. Hopefully by 37 I'll have it all together.

Jennifer

[DCJenn]

Well-

I guess that depends entirely on Uncle Sam! If we have a child- I would try to be a SAHM- although honestly I'm not entirely sure that I could pull it off. If we don't, then obviously I will continue to work in my field. Unfortunately there are developmentally disabled people everywhere! I have pretty much reached the top position in my current job. I know I don't ever want to go back to direct care. I really couldn't even tolerate going back down to case management. I enjoy the administrative aspect of what I do so much that the programmatic stuff just really doesn't excite me anymore. So, that said- if we're sent to Podunk, I'm pretty sure that my options will be limited. 10 years from now, we'll still be completing the payback. I have learned over the years that I don't work well for people so maybe I'll open my own company!

Jenn

[mommax3]

This is so thought provoking!

5 years -- we will have been out of the military for two years, and will have picked where we want to live (no idea where this will be, though -- probably the midwest) I will be preparing to send my youngest to Kindergarten (this is hard to imagine!) so it will definitely be a new phase in my life. I am not sure what I will be doing.....

10 years -- My boys will be 17, 14, and 10 -- I am sure they will be keeping me very busy and will be eating a ton. The reality of college will be looming for my oldest, who will be getting ready to start his senior year! I am guessing (totally) that I will be working, at least part time -- but I don't know what I will be doing!

It will be exciting to see what happens -- thinking through this has given me perspective on how quickly my kids are going to grow up. Sometimes they drive me nuts, but I sure don't want to wish this time away.

Sally (who is getting ready to turn over her two oldest boys to their grandparents for a week! )

[houseelf]

Kris---

What a great question! I'm honestly at a loss as to what to write. The irreverant part of me says, "NOT in Minnesota! I'm thinking someplace warm on a beach that serves drinks with little umbrellas...."

But in all honesty, I'll have to think about this question....It seems like so much of my energy is expended in the here and now, just trying to get through the day....I'll get back to you on this one.

Hey, at least I have a topic to think about on my next long run. (See exercise ADHD post below!)

Kelly

It's funny...I've been posing this question to myself for days but am no closer to having a clue. I used to be so goal-oriented and have a clear direction....now I just know that I want to be involved in helping people to deal with their problems in some way....and I'm not sure whether that means biological research in a field relating to mental health issues or social work, psychology or even as a teacher....

I read this neat thing in Readers Digest by Diane Sawyer that has been at the back of my mind. She was at a point in her life where she wasn't sure which path to take and her father asked her three questions:

1. What is it that you love?
2. Where is the most adventurous place you could do it?
3. And are you certain it will serve other people?

I find myself a bit stuck just on #1 because I think that I really 'love' many things....writing, science, people, teaching, learning, languages.....Not to say that I'm necessarily good at all or even any of these...but the trick for me is in finding something that I could be good at AND enjoy....As to number two...anywhere where my husband and children are is adventure enough for me Since I'm stuck on one, I've not answered three yet..though I know that whatever I end up doing I want it to include reaching out to people who need help...

hmmmmmmm

Kris

1. What is it that you love?
2. Where is the most adventurous place you could do it?
3. And are you certain it will serve other people?

I think those are good questions to follow, personally! The reason I am a fulltime mom right now is because I'd answer them: 1)I love my children, 2)raising kids is an adventure unto itself , and 3)yes, it will most definitely serve other people - my kids and the rest of society.

Now, how I answer these questions after my children are no longer under my care is going to radically change. IF I didn't have children to raise I think that my answers to these questions would change over the coars of ten years as well. So, it is very very difficult for me to determine where I will be in ten years. I can see myself following many paths:
-going to law school, entering law as criminal prosecuter, ultimately running for office OR becoming a judge
-going to school and getting my design degree and pursuing that career
-starting a home business in design sans degree
-being needed incredibly by my children to help with my grandchildren and have a nice life with small children continually visiting me and being somewhat raised by me
-traveling as a way of life
and who knows what else? Wouldn't it be cool if I could somehow do several of these things over the coarse of my life? I do daydream about the possibilities and hobbies I want to explore but I think I'm going to live a very very long life and I don't want to "run out" of things to do by the time I'm 60. Anyway, it is a hard question and I don't think it's one that necessarily needs to be answered - I think I'm just going to take life as it comes and see where I go. Let me put it this way, ten years ago I DID NOT see myself where I am now. HOWEVER, I am in a wonderful place and a much better one compared to where I saw myself ten years from 17. I guess I'd put my life this way - "I had plans but got sidetracked and ended up in a much better place." In ten years I might scrap all of the things I think I might want to do and decide to do something entirely different? I love life......

So, I don't think you should push yourself to decide what you should be or do in ten years - just let things evolve. Thats kind of how I do it and I'm happy this way. Of coarse, what works for me would probably drive others insane!

Jennifer