New Challenge: Solve Chris's Life
As you’ll know if you have been following this blog – and I apologise if not, some of the following won’t make sense - a number of themes have recurred many times already, and will continue to recur. They include setting ourselves personal challenges and working on them collectively (as seen in the TYSICs, which I will be summarising later this week); embarking on bizarre team efforts (like the iPod, which changed hands again today, I’m delighted to say – more details to follow); needlessly interfering in lives (as in the feature where I act as Agony Uncle, despite not being qualified); trying to motivate people. Today, as part of a new collective venture – not that I’m letting any of the other ones go – I present you, the community of my blog readers, with a new challenge which brings nearly all these themes together.
Essentially this is a special one-off bumper edition of Can I Help You?, my agony column. I have received this email from a reader, Chris. In a nutshell he doesn’t know what to do with his life. He isn’t despairing, or I wouldn’t dream of playing God with his emotions, but he is flummoxed. And directionless. As a group I think we can re-focus him.
I’ve chosen Chris to do this with partly because of pure whim, in the spirit of the strange 10-year ad-lib which is this blog, and partly because he stands for quite a lot of regular readers. People are often bringing up problems with being under-motivated/unsure of their next move/disillusioned with careers, and so on. I think this will be an interesting test case to see if our considerable team skills are enough to re-route an actual human’s life. It is sort of like The Truman Show meets The Sims meets a reality show meets me, Mark. How can that not be fun?
Also, this is something we can put a time limit on. Chris (as you’ll see from his email below) is going to be up in Edinburgh in August, like me, and a number of TYSIC participants and other blog readers. I suggest that we vow to give Chris a new direction in life by August. We deliver him a plan by, say, mid-June. Then – perhaps at my book launch on the 11th of August, or at one of my shows or something – we meet Chris and he reports back on whether things have improved.
So – I’ve published Chris’s comment, almost in full, below. I open it to your suggestions. It could be that you have an idea which ties in with your challenge, or someone else’s. It could be that you can think of a worthy cause which needs someone to fight for it. Or something more whimsical. Or have some serious careers advice. Perhaps you are looking to recruit someone for something, professional or ideological. It could be anything. But whatever you want Chris to do with this life from now on, write it as a Comment. In about a week or so I will sum up the results and we will draw up the first stage of a game-plan for Chris. If this works well we will move on to clear up someone else’s life. If it backfires and Chris suffers a breakdown, we will delete this blog entry and all others relating to it.
Here it is. Good luck everyone; good luck Chris.
Basically I’m 2/3rds of the way through a university course I’ve near enough completely lost interest in with absolutely no career ideas to follow it up with. I don’t even have an idea for a dissertation. I will finish the course, I’m too far in not to complete, but I have no idea what career path I would take. And I’m fed up of living off pasta and mars bars.
I’m doing Geography by the way. And I don’t want to be a weather man or a Geography teacher which seem to be the only two suggestions from most people . And anyway the world doesn’t need another town planner or geologist or whatever.
I’d been thinking about it for a long while, the only thing I really want to do would be some outrageous venture across America, which I currently don’t have the money to do I don’t think, and some time I will try and do that. Someday. Or something like it. Maybe a career path will stand out some time in the future but until then I should make myself busy. Reading about your brother’s efforts; supporting the sport he clearly loves in an area so far away from the commerce and glamour now associated with top level football which I personally hate, is inspiring. For me to do myself though, it’s a bit too grand but a great idea.
So, given that I can’t think of anything worthwhile for me to do with myself, my first thought, of course, was What Would Mark Watson Do? (Not quite accurate, I havn’t had any realistic plans for many years). Yes, I could speak to a careers adviser or somebody but no, they are not trained in this area, I ask a comedian/entertainer/writer/sport fan for a reason…
In the short term, I’ve got about 100 days, in fact more than that I think until uni term starts again, and apart from doing some work to pay the rent for a house I’m not living in at the moment I am a free man. And this time needs filling. So after all that lets refine this a bit. How about; what should I do with my summer? At least as a starting point. Whatever one you prefer or have more experience dealing with. I’ll be up in E’brgh for the fringe fest so if anybody has an idea that can tie in with something there that would be grand; or ties in with all the other challenges going around. Maybe this can be decided by a vote or something.
I’m usually based at my uni in Bath, but currently back in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Cambridge. If that makes any difference to anything.
Posted by Knox on May 25, 2011
I’m a bit late to offer Chris any advice, I’m afraid, but looking forward to seeing how things turned out!
Posted by Alastair Humphreys on August 5, 2010
Mark / Chris,
I really do recommend a long bike journey. It’s cheap, easy to get going on, and great for getting your life going. I spent 4 years cycling round the world and it is the best kick up the backside I have ever had.
Drop me an email if I can help at all,
alastair@alastairhumphreys.com
Al
Posted by Chris on June 4, 2010
I can cook quite well actually, I just live a lifestyle that means I ether don’t get time to or it gets done for me. I whip up a good lasagna etc. Still, that just means I have the foundations for something better and maybe help the parents out a bit. Maybe I should be targeting the Michelin stars…
Hundred day challenge looked interesting, shame I missed it. Still, I like the principal. And getting money from a multinational company in order to support a charity of my choice?! Too good to be true! Gap year that!
Agree that I will finish the degree for sure but in the meantime it’s playtime. I liked the idea of trying to raise money whilst travelling but wasn’t quite sure how I could manage it but I do like Kieth’s idea of having fundraisers in each town on the way seems well in the spirit of all this. Depending on how much interest we get (already gathering quite some momentum it seems) this could potentially work out quite well. I like the idea of helping out on the way with other TYSICers, either as part of some charity work they do I could join in with for a day, something to do with their own challenge I can help with, or something completely different like helping get a piano up the stairs. Or maybe I can whip up a lasagna for them. Just as a way of getting to know people etc.
Now, WNA has been cancelled. I can see a second objective emerging here…
Again, that’s for all the great ideas and anecdotes I do read every word of every post
Posted by Rachel Winter on June 2, 2010
oop – sorry Corey, I’ll admit I didn’t read people comments that day!
Posted by Kate W on June 2, 2010
May be something to apply for for next summer rather than this, but how about getting paid to spend a year abroad working for a charity of your choice: http://worldofdifference.vodafone.co.uk/about/apply/faq/ In fact, if this kind of thing is something you fancy, you could think about this summer (be it a bike ride round the country or whatever) as phase 1 – a project that would give you something to put in your application.
More generally (and echoing advice from various other people):
- finishing your degree is a really good idea, but doesn’t have to constrain what you do with your life at all; just a handy thing to have.
- think about what you do for fun rather than money. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but you’re in an incredibly fortunate position right now in that you can afford to live without working full-time – many of us wage-slaves could envy you that! So pretty much whatever you enjoy doing, or would just be interested in having a crack at, you can afford to offer do for free; volunteering for a charity is the obvious thing, but there are also lots of companies who’ll take an intern who’s young, enthusiastic and free.
Re the trip idea, it sounds like visiting football grounds appeals to you, so why not start there? Get a map and a list, see where they all are and start planning a route. There’s no law that says you have to do them all on one massive journey; you can break them up and do one region at a time, or start in one place and tick off the ground near there. Think the video camera and documenting it sounds like a plan, and you could add an environmental angle; if you’re using your bike/public transport, it should be a pretty low-carbon itinerary. Since the MP3 team already have locations for lots of TYSICers, you could cross-reference the two and see where that gets you.
As you’ve got roughly 100 days to play with, you might also want to have a look at this: http://www.hundreddays.net/ Not so much on the theme of self-improvement, but more the concept of doing one thing every day for 100 days. Simple, but people have done some surprisingly interesting things with the idea. (One thought, related to you not wanting to eat Mars bars and pasta forever, is learning to cook some new things – not Michelin star complicated stuff, just food that won’t bore you. Not difficult, quite fun, and works well as a photo/video project if you want to do that.)
Posted by Keith on June 1, 2010
Chris,
I’d love to say I read all the suggestions above, but keeping up with the immense assistance of the loverly blog readers would be far too epic a task for myself- I just hope I dont entirely repeat what has already been said. Ive read a good few, but my tired eyes have asked me to leave my laptop, before they develop corners.
I found myself in a fairly similar position to yourself in the past. I studied a course i didnt really feel much other than contempt for, I had a plan for my future which made my ears bleed, and had made numerous deals with myself to end the monotony of a 9-9 office job. I tried travelling the world, but spent so much of the time thinking about what I should do with my life, that I never really had a chance at finding any answer. Then mother nature kicked in, sent me back home with a ridiculous illness (ill keep detail minimal, as illness wouldnt fit into a suggested lifeplan for anyone but the most dour of person)… but the odd thing was- spending most of the last 17months on my backside made me take my eye off the prize a bit. I still dont know what i do want to do with myself, but I do know I’m farther from the things i dont want to do, and closer to finding the things i do. In 4 weeks I’m planning on a 600km walk to raise cancer awareness, and i really dont have a plan after that-it feels great.
What has this got to do with your summer? WELL…
You’re in a course, you have something to go back to, an academic safety net. The pressure is off in that sense. So, in my humble opinion, …take your eye off the big picture. Do something fun, that, as you say, will involve social interaction and challenge. You could always raise some cash on the way; but do so to have fun and realise the ridiculousness of short term pleasures…and see what doors they open- rather than fret all too much over long term.
Im Irish, and as such have absolutely no idea of the geography- BUT!- organising a small charity event in the major cities or towns between Bath and Edinburgh might be a decent way of getting something memorable, fun and worthwile done. Its gona be cheap too. A table quiz, comedy night, egg and spoon race…ANYTHING, in maybe 8 or 9 towns, if blog readers in each town could give a hand orgainising the event in their town- it would add to the community themes already going on here. You could also make it known that the price of your train/bus between towns+minimal expenses were to be taken from profits (so it doesnt bankrupt you). It wouldnt cost you cash, it’d be an adventure, it’d involve large numbers of people too… Im doing a table quiz in Dublin and hope to raise a few hundred quid for my own charity….but you can do the same and just have a laugh going between places…all with the intent of arriving in Edinburgh on day 9 or 10 with large sums of cash for the charity/ charities of your choice & the Mark Watson TYSIC/ blog army at your side.
Chris’ Bath to Edinburgh Charity Challenge 2010.
OK, im one corner off actual square eyes, and am happy to finish my first blog comment on a note…
hopefully there’s some ideas rolling there…if not, apologies on such a long message!
Posted by Chris on June 1, 2010
There is a huge gap between me and Edinburgh, not really a road cyclist, tend to do mountain biking more so off road; love the open air and twisty single track etc, mile after mile of tarmac not so great with and nether is the bike. And there’s at least 373 miles of tarmac between here and there and the special map says there’s not many TYSICers on the East side of the country. I think I would spend too much time on my own peddling and miss opportunities to be meeting people and visiting places; for me a social achievement would be superior to a physical one. Don’t want to be a bit pessimistic but I don’t think I could handle that just yet. Great in principal though.
BUT we can still get the steed out for something though. Still plenty of potential. Maybe I could mix it with public transport and the likes or something a bit more bizarre. Less to go wrong then too, can’t get a flat tyre on a train. Or a boat… I like the ‘self propelled iPod comparison’ sure did make me smile.
This idea ‘has legs’.
Liking the video camera idea lots too, could make this go a bit Micheal Palin-esque somehow…
Well up for raising some money somehow too.
And I really like reading all the contributions about peoples overseas and charity work etc. have added. Really interesting hearing about everybody’s different experiences. Friends of mine have come back with many stories along the same lines. I’m not such a great charity worker as such myself but that’s the sort of travelling some day I will do. I think something that grand will have to be worked into a gap year if it’s to be done full justice.
Oh and really liked Roses idea too, that’s something I had thought about before but didn’t really know where to start (and assumed i wasn’t enough of a nerd too, just) with although my friend in Hull occasionally has a show on his student radio station that he said I could ‘guest host’ some time over the hols… or as part of the challenge… (if I ask him nicely)
Did try making a band with a couple of friends once, great fun but totally failed! Many fond memories, many terrible recordings…
Oh and Jane, if you decide roughly where about you’re thinking about trekking of to let me know and I can consult my enormous stack of MBUK magazines for websites and other useful information. There will be plenty of routes and advice and local knowledge for each area available. Wouldn’t advise doing it alone though for a number of reasons most noticeably safety which is partly why I’m a bit 5050 about cycling all the way up to Scotland myself. Emmys suggestion at having a look at Alastair Humphreys for inspiration is a good shout too. In fact Emmy has already cycled Europe so have a talk to her
92 football stadiums also a very tempting plan. No idea how realistic, I think Mark is attempting that one too (although I may have just made that up) so maybe he’s the guy to ask about how easy/hard that would be to attempt. Could do just the top two leagues maybe.
Whatever involves seeing the most people/visiting the most places. Maybe if everybody I managed to visit could show me something interesting about the area/find something interesting to do that’s unique I could create a giant portfolio kinda thing to show for my efforts and everybody involved could be represented in it. I think something like that would be an achievement we could all be proud of and play a part in.
I think I should let Mark have his blog back some time too!
Posted by Rachel Winter on June 1, 2010
Just a thought, something that I fancied a few years back but never got round to – combine your visit to Edinburgh with an adventure/raising money for something, by cycling up to Edinburgh?
Pretty sure, depending where you live, this could take a couple of weeks, and be a lot of fun.
Posted by Anna on June 1, 2010
I came here to suggest some kind of charity challenge, but I see that Laura has beaten me to it. I went trekking in Nepal to raise money for the school I worked at (National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy) about 5 years ago, and it was absolutely amazing.
It would mean you’d get to travel somewhere fantastic, raise money for a good cause, and not have to spend much money (all your travel expenses are covered, providing you raise the minimum sponsorship money). To make it more interesting, you could let the readers of this blog decide where you go, and what charity you could raise money for.
Or, to make it tie in more to this blog, and going to Edinburgh, why not use Corey’s idea of biking up to Edinburgh, but make it a sponsored trip? Again, to tie in, the money raised could go to the Pohnpei team, or to Actionaid.
Posted by Corey on June 1, 2010
Reading some of the great ideas posted and some of the things Chris is obviously into (travelling, bikes) there must be something you can fill your time with over the summer involving these.
Go on a bike ride round Britain & combine it with a passion (eg, if you were into football, visit every football ground!?!).
Bike the entire coastline of the UK and end up in Edinburgh or take in Edinburgh during the festival, get a little HD flashcam for £50ish and make a little video diary of your adventure.
You could combine it by visiting TYSICer’s for overnight accomodations??
You could soon find that being stuck at what to do, could turn into an exciting adventure!!
Posted by Josh on June 1, 2010
Simply get a girlfriend (or boy if you’re gay, as you didn’t specify). From experience, I realised that life is much worse when you’re alone. It won’t solve any of your problems, but you’ll have someone to turn to and someone who’ll back you up no matter what you decide. Plus, you need to buy a cookbook for students. There are plenty out there, and it will mean you don’t have to live off pasta and Mars bars for a bit.
Posted by Chris on June 1, 2010
Nah you’re totally right Ben, nothing wrong with a bit of competition ether though
Posted by Ben Draper on June 1, 2010
That’s a good point, Bath Uni doesn’t have a geography department. I was only kidding about the Bath Spa thing, I don’t think anyone really subscribes to the rivalry. It’s nice there, I went through the campus on the orange bus once.
Posted by Rose on June 1, 2010
Being in uni myself and having most of my friends in uni/finishing uni, the advice I have given to friends who aren’t sure what to do after their degree is: what do you do that you don’t HAVE to do, i.e. what do you do without getting paid, simply because you WANT to? Look at your hobbies, interests, volunteer work, the things that make you PASSIONATE and/or RILED UP, and try to turn that into a job.
So… over the next few months, I would say throw yourself into something that maybe you have only dabbled in and enjoyed. But committing a greater amount of time and energy into it, you will discover if maybe that’s something that you’d like to do more of.
Some examples from myself:
I volunteer at a community radio station in my hometown (Victoria, BC, Canada). I was slightly terrified to do this because I didn’t think I was enough of a music nerd, but I have ended up finding out about heaps of amazing bands, making friends, and really enjoying having my own radio show.
I volunteer with a theatre production company that puts on the Fringe Festival in my city, mostly doing front of house. From this volunteering, I got a part-time job! I didn’t think I was a big enough part of the theatre community to actually get *paid* to work for the Fringe, but it turns out that you just have to put your foot in the water!
In conclusion: follow your passions! And challenge yourself!
Posted by Simon on June 1, 2010
@Chris
No no no no! I meant in Mark’s blog posts. I wasn’t accusing you!
The reason I said “sorry Chris” was because I was commenting about something completely different instead of offering you advice.
Sorry!
Posted by Chris on June 1, 2010
Sweet. Very pleased with the suggestions so far.
Ben Draper, I had guessed you were a student at that university after comments left about my very own Bath Spa university as recently as two nights ago on this very blog! I believe your university doesn’t even have a Geography department! (In case any readers not from the area didn’t know there is some mild rivalry between the two unis)
America sure is tempting right now, plane tickets way too far out of budget but that kind of thing would be grand. Always wanted to go to New Orleans; big blues fan. Would defo be part of the grand America trip in my head. Golf oil slick does sound horrific and if I could help I would, should have got a lot more exposure over here but some politicians were having a squabble that week. Again, great in principal but big financial implications and a bit too grand for the very near future, definite gap year/future travels shortlist material though.
Although the New Orleans link does tie in well with the Pilgrimage suggestion; I’m in now way religious so any pilgrimage would be a cultural one but a pilgrimage would be a grand idea none the less. New Orleans would be on that list. Again, some day I will be there.
I will never spend 25 years working in a job I don’t like. Not ever. If I do I will consider to have failed at whatever it is I’m supposed to be doing.
Not noticed 0s popping up in any of my writing myself, or writing any of those exerts. maybe there’s another Chris (in which case I will become ChrisP or back to SirChrisofB or something) or maybe it’s because I tend to write stuff in Word (dyslexia makes my spelling appalling but there’s never an excuse for not using a spellcheck) and copy it over and I’ve just not noticed..
I am 20, partly inspired to start this by Mark briefly reflecting back at where he was 10 years ago when he was my age. Probably whilst eating pasta.
Did almost go to Mexico quite recently as part of my course to do charity work, but it was very expensive so went to Liverpool instead to do some research there on a different module. I do quite like Laura’s idea too.
Great idea’s everybody. I will for sure do some international travelling some day, maybe as a gap year but by all means can be part of the challenge. For short terms goals i.e. anything over the summer probs best to keep it domestic. But it’s up to you, maybe Europe.
I do quite like the idea of involving other members of the blog. And given that they would be helping me with my challenge (both design and completion of), I feel it would only be right to help them complete theirs in some way. Just an idea.
I’m going to try and cut down posting again on this bit because otherwise I will effectively end up making you minds up for you which would completely defeat the point of asking y’all in the first place. Short term goals seem to be most realistic/achievable at the moment too, and we can have a success by the time I go back to uni which you never know may inspire a more long term aim. Long term goals are of course welcome.
I’ll read everything but try and be more passive, more a moderator just to make sure it would suit me personally
Thanks. Great stuff. This is going really well so far. Happy days.
Posted by Mark D on June 1, 2010
It is really a similar situation that I found myself in a few years, and a situation that a lot of friends are/were as well. A lot of friends are now in careers/jobs that have nearly nothing to do with they studied in uni, even in the company where I work, people have come various different backgrounds.
Geography graduate: works in the marketing department for a bank
Former nuclear technician: software engineer
Law graduate: TV production
Computer Science : dancer
Business graduate: animal trainer
Numerous other graduates have all become computer technicians.
The only advice that I can offer is that you should consider finishing your degree as you have 1 year left, the sole reason for suggesting this is that a degree will at least make it possible to get a better paying job when you do finish, HR people like to see degrees on CV rather uncompleted courses. This will enable to to clear debts quicker and/or save money for whatever project you decide to start.
Your situation is no way unique, and the choices that you make when deciding what course to apply for does not define the rest of your life.
Posted by Laura on June 1, 2010
Have you though about doing one of those charity overseas challenges that lots of places organise? I have always wanted to do one but am too lazy to organise it. I know there are treks, cycling ones, marathons, all sorts. The vast majority of these charities go out of their way to help you arrange sponsorship and whatnot; I’m sure there are plenty of people on here who would be willing to sponsor you too.
I turn 31 this year, graduated from a degree I hated in 2001 and am only now just beginning to work out what I want to do. Unfortunately it will entail more expense with probably very little chance of actually earning any money at it. I have found that if I am happy with the other areas of my life, all the work crap is more bearable.
Posted by Estee on June 1, 2010
Hmmm, yeah like a few people here I’m in the same boat, Chris, except I’m finishing uni as we speak so even more screwed :].
The only thing is, I hate my degree too and want nothing to do with it but I know 4 graduates at least who have succesfully ignored their degrees no end:
- Engineering/DT degrees – now a computer technician
- Biochemical engineering degree – now a computer tech manager type guy
- Biology degree – now a pilot
- Economics degree – now a lawyer
Sooo.. I wouldn’t worry about that :].
EdFringe does sound like a good place to start, and biking. If you’ve got the money, do it. Meet people. Do anything and everything. Become a yes-man? :]
Posted by Simon on June 1, 2010
Off the topic (sorry Chris), but I couldn’t help but notice the occasional rouge “0” hiding inside your blog posts.
“… seen me in the past few months y0u will have heard the story of my …”
“… part of it is a legal matter; if y0u’re married to someone …”
“… and hyperbole. In 0ne village our interpreter said that …”
Have I uncovered a large-scale conspiracy whose motivation will be revealed to us at a future date? Or am I being a pedantic bellend and the “0” just looks quite like the “o” on whatever device you’re using to write blog posts? I can probably guess.
Posted by Sarah on June 1, 2010
Chris’s plights ring far to close to home. I’m 3/4 done with a degree that I want nothing to do with. The best advice I’ve gotten so far, and maybe this is just an American thing (I hope not, it’s really been the only light at the end of a two and a half year tunnel) is that this degree is just a piece of paper, true you’ve earned it and put all that time into it, but how many people are actually doing what they went to university for? Don’t worry if you don’t want to do anything with Geography than you definitely don’t have to.
For a long time I really wanted to do nothing but travel, and could never come up with the money but I did come up with an idea I never put into action. I was going to try to get a job or internship with one of the tour companies that give really great but expensive package vacations with guides and outings. This way you’d get paid for traveling, get to meet new people and be able to add to your CV all at once.
Posted by lex on June 1, 2010
I wonder how old you are Chris. I am 28. After spending most of my teens horribly lost and confused about existence I started uni at 20. I fucked it up unequivocally, not going to class, not sitting exams, basically being lazy and unsure. After a couple of years spent quitting uni then going back then quitting again, I threw in the towel altogether and began my illustrious career as an adminstrator/PA/waitress/barista. I worked for a cinema advertising company, a business brokerage, various temp roles at various depressing carpety locations and many, MANY cafes. However, through doing that stuff and being lost throughout my early twenties I learned, if not exactly what I want, certainly what I DON’T want.
One time, I was doing outbound documentation for a large shipping company, the really thrilling stuff, like customs docs and bills of lading. On one particular day, a man on my level was celebrating his 25th year with the company. He brought in his own cake for the occasion (as required, because apparently the enormous multi-national couldn’t afford to provide refreshments at the celebration of one of their longest serving members). He was awarded a teaspoon of recognition (or somesuch). As he sat there revelling in his achievement, sitting on the same low-grade swivelly chair as I myself occupied, I thought to myself, “Shit. That dude has been getting up every weekday for twenty-five years eating cereal bussing to work sitting all day on a shitey swivel chair under fluorescent lights breathing aircon entering data doing faxes and photocopies bussing home having dinner watching Shortland Street dozing on the couch brushing his teeth going to bed getting up eating cereal….” If you think that speculative account of this man’s existence was boring, imagine my feelings of dread in imagining that life for myself. That was when I decided that however lost I am, I would rather be this kind of lost than that kind of found. This is not to denigrate his choices: someone’s got to do that stuff; just not me, please. I tendered my notice that day.
After a few more years of struggle and regret and worry, I re-enrolled at uni. Luckily, they would have me, and I was allowed to keep the year’s worth of C grade papers I had gained the first time. I’ve been back two years now and am in my final week of lectures. So it turns out that uni was my bag, but that I was too young the first time. Not that I’m advocating uni to everyone, because it’s not everyone’s thing, but I think there’s a huge difference between starting straight out of school and going back with a bit of life under your belt. I still feel lost in so many ways, but through my experience and studies I have been lucky enough to realise that it is when you think you’re sussed that is when you are the most fucked. When you think you’re not lost anymore, you have no impetus to continue and may as well just have a coronary right there.
I really believe that it is better to be seeking uneasily than ‘knowing’ in blithe contentment.
This probably doesn’t help, except maybe to show that feeling lost is OK and that if someone like me, previously one of the most lazy, directionless worried, lost, hard-drinking, pot-smoking munters you can imagine, can find direction and feel good about those parts of my lostness that keep me going, then so can anyone.
Now I’ve written another tome. Sorry, comments board.
All the very best of luck mate.
Posted by (Magnificent) Josh on May 31, 2010
For the moment, forget about what qualifications you’ve got and what you can do and just think to yourself, what have you always wanted to do. Too many times we get stuck doing what we can do and when we get the chance to do whatever we like we don’t take it as enough of an opportunity.
Have you always wanted to have a band? Get a band. Want to from a Morris Side? Do so. Always had a burning desire to be a better person? Jack it all in and go to Zambia to build cinemas (or something).
The point is, don’t think of this as finding something to do next, think of it as quite possibly the only chance you’ll get to shape your life forever.
Not much in the way of useful advice though, is it.
Posted by Rachel Winter on May 31, 2010
spooky – before I even read ‘geography’ I thought “maybe archaeology”
Though I admit not read properly yet…
Posted by Jane on May 31, 2010
This is an interesting challenge, and one I hope I can piggy back on. Work have just granted me a six month sabbatical and still havent decided what I am going to do with it, other than re-evaluate my situation and try and get a fresh perspective on life. I’ve also been considering biking around europe (as well as going to America/Canada/South America/doing volunteer work/helpx/working on a campsite in the lake district/a million other things). Re: biking round europe, its hard to know where to start – what to pack, how to plan a route. And Im also worried that it might just be really lonely being on a bike every day on your own??
Anyway I will follow this post with interest, and see what it throws up. as it were.
Posted by Ben Draper on May 31, 2010
Hey Chris, which Bath do you go to? I go to Bath Uni.
Posted by LisaD on May 31, 2010
Why not combine volunteering for the summer with travel? If, for example, you were to volunteer with one of the organizations trying to rebuild New Orleans you could have a very productive summer and be in one of the best cities the US has to offer. (though admittedly the summer is not always the best time to experience Louisiana) Nearby and closer to your field of study is the disaster that is the gulf coast. I’m not just trying to get foreigners to fix my country here; I do think it’s worth it to see more of the world by helping it, plus helping people in serious need focuses the mind dramatically.
By the way, If you do end up in the States this summer and need a place to stay in Boston, you have one. (And I apologize in advance for the mental-ness that is my family.)
Posted by lisa brunders on May 31, 2010
I should think with all the people who read this blog you could find a group of volunteers to help and/or meet in almost any part of the world, including friends and family of Mark’s readers.
This could be useful when a plan is formed, to put it into operation, a bit like a self-propelled ipod requiring food and somewhere to sleep, rather than music.
The bike idea sounds interesting.
Posted by Lindsay on May 31, 2010
Chris, sounds like you need a change of scene. And anyone who has grown up in British suburbia will sympathise. In light of tight funds, and a few months of holiday, I would suggest a good old-fashioned pilgrimage.
It may sound strange, but I know a number of non-religious friends who have taken one of the old pilgrimage routes, particularly Santiago de Compostella across France. A long journey on foot, particularly if it is by yourself, is an amazing way to discover about your body and your mind. You would meet so many different people on the same route, eat some amazing French food, get support from those who live along the route, and work some of those mars bars out of your system.
It is amazing how a physical challenge can help you clear your head. It may give you the inspiration you need for your next direction.
(But your next direction doesn’t have to be what you do for the rest of your life. Any of your university colleagues who seem to have their entire future mapped out are guaranteed to have a serious mid-life crisis. The most interesting people I know are still at the baffled stage.)
Posted by h2osarah on May 31, 2010
Hi Chris!
I don’t have any advice in terms of sorting your life out, as I can’t do that myself. I will definitely look forward to meeting you in Edinburgh and possibly participating in whatever madness ensues. I know this doesn’t help for this summer, but in the summer between my undergraduate degree and my Master’s degree, I worked May-July to pay for a month-long tour round Europe in August. I went to the fringe festival for the first time (where I saw my first ever live comedy, and the first time I saw Mark!), went to London for the first time since I was 11 and went to all kinds of amazing places in France, Spain and Italy. I can heartily recommend doing that, but in America if you get the chance (I’m Canadian, so America doesn’t quite hold the same allure to me). It’s great to experience new cultures and meet new people. And if you need a place to stay, I currently live near the american border…
Posted by Rachael on May 31, 2010
It is so unbelievably annoying paying rent for a house you aren’t living in isn’t it?
This is very tough, maybe it could be broken into a series of small targets and tick them off as you go to see how much stuff you can get done before uni starts again.
Posted by Chris on May 31, 2010
Wow, plenty of suggestions in the amount of time it took me to pretty much write “thanks”!
Cycling sounds good, already a big fan of mountain biking, worked in a local bike shop a few years ago for a while. Going to a bike festival in a few weeks time.
Travelling sounds good, already ‘done’ Eastern Europe in the younger days with the scouts (yes go on, aww). It was amazing. Will never forget that.
Done volunteer work too. not for any huge amount of time but my Mum works for a theatre/film company in Cambs for people with learning disabilities so I’ve helped when she needs me. Not something I’m great at though.
I like the idea of meeting other TYSICers. I had the idea of maybe making a whole load of photos that could be produced into photo albums that could be sold off to make money for action aid/Pohnpei FC. Being a bit British i didn’t want to ‘just invite myself over’ kind of thing. Emmy has. Cheers!
Alice the middle of nowhere is great in small doses! I’m a total country boy. Although moving to Bath from Cambs wasn’t as adventurous as first thought. And Bristol isn’t too far from Bath! (Geographically if nothing else).
I’ll defo try and make a few friends in Edinburgh. My fellow country boy friends are doing film/theatre stuff so if nothing else I can get them a few contacts too.
Great ideas guys, keep them coming!
Posted by Chris on May 31, 2010
Cheers! This sounds awesome! I like the idea of a challenge culminating at Edinburgh/Book launch too. A Life Long Self Improvement Challenge is too much for me to think about, hence why I passed the burden onto you lot. But obviously all suggestions are welcome.
I have got some money to play around with depending on how much actual work I do to cover expenses. Just imagine a student and you effectively have an accurate vision of me/the situation.
And just to confirm, I am completely sane and not on the edge of a mental breakdown or anything.
Now, inspire!
Posted by Alice on May 31, 2010
Bless your heart Chris, I’m from Stamford which is also the middle of nowhere near cambridge and it can be deeply depressing. Happily I’m moving to Bristol tomorrow, somewhere I’ve wanted to be for years, starting over for the second time since leaving drama school.
I was lucky, I knew what I wanted to do since I was 15, for me the trick is getting there! However most of my friends at uni were in your situation. They all found their feet within a year of leaving uni, whether through post grad courses or internships. The question is, what do you like doing? Edinburgh could well be the inspiration you need, see as wide a range of shows as you can. There are so many people there, directors, writers, producers, reviewers, as well as performers of course.
Best of luck, oddly enough the only person I know with a geography degree is now finishing a post course in Music Theatre at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, so your degree can take you anywhere you like!
Posted by Emmy on May 31, 2010
Oh, and (I’m being quite self important here, thinking you will listen to my babbling, etc) you do decide to do a massive trip somewhere, bike or not, TYSICers could meet you along the way. So you would meet new people + see new places + get a year to think which = fantasticness.
Posted by Emmy on May 31, 2010
Hi Chris,
You say you maybe want a big adventure across America? Have you thought of doing a cycle trip? This may seem like a really random and not very practical idea, but trust me, it is. I speak from personal experience here, having done one across most of Europe last year. Alone. And it was probably the best three months of my life so far. I don’t quite know how to put it into words without sounding like a new age hippie or a self help guru but cycling, just you, your bicycle, and a shitload of stuff means you meet a lot of amazing people and see alot of amazing places that you could have never even dreamed of seeing. And, if nothing else, it gives you a few months just to think, reflect, and not worry about everyday life, which everyone probably needs once in a while. And, if you camp, you can do the trip extremely cheaply.
So, that’s my advice. Go off and have an adventure and, because I am a cycle nerd, do so on a bike. If you get nothing else out of it, it’s something to tell the grandkids. But you will get a lot out of it and never, ever regret it.
Read any of Alastair Humphreys’ books. They are good.
Think about it. And I will shut up now.
Posted by lora on May 31, 2010
The thing I’d recommend would be to do some sort of volunteer work, obviously depending on whats available, it has the potential to give a different perspective on things. Maybe tie it in with Edinburgh (although I’m not entirely sure how this would work).
Well there’s my suggestion, hope that helps
Posted by Misha on May 31, 2010
I’m not sure about in the long term, but my (edinburgh based) suggestion is use the time at the festival to meet someone you admire. I did that last year and without naming names, that’s lead to a whole load of oddness in the following year which has unintentionally got me on track for what I want to do with my future.
So there’s my suggestion. Meet someone you admire.
Posted by Kathryn on May 31, 2010
Not to waste the priviledge of being first commenter, but I genuinely can’t think of anything for you to write about. I suppose this is me trying not to add to the backlog of requested topics.
Posted by Kathryn on May 31, 2010
First comment?
I was too excited at the prospect of being the first comment (hopefully) to think of any constructive advice. Perhaps this competition has backfired slightly.
Sorry, hopefully other people will have some ideas. I can barely sort my own life out as it is. I have no money at all to pay university fees at the minute.