Successful career comes at a cost
Dear Annie: I am a woman in my late 30s and have been working at my current career for the past five years. It is a very demanding, high-paced, glamorous environment — think entertainment/fashion industry. I am in charge of managing a mediumsize group of people into getting their deadlines in on time.
For the first three years, I really loved my job, and while the hours can be sometimes crazy, I was still enjoying the ride.
However, as with many people, the past two years have been extremely stressful mentally and physically. In the spring of 2020, many of my coworkers were laid off. I was one of the “lucky ones” who still had their job. Unfortunately, this has led to me doing the work of two to three people, with barely any balance outside of work.
I don’t know if I am just burnt out or if I want something more out of life. I barely have any time to see friends, and my romantic life has taken a major hit because of all the extra hours I had to do, which resulted in my partner leaving me.
My sister told me I should look into working in administration at a university registrar’s office or something along those lines, where most people are actually out of the office by 5 or 5:30 p.m. and not still working at 9 p.m. on a Friday.
However, I really do not even know where to begin or if my skills are transferable. Part of me feels like any chance I had to get out has slipped past me, and I am so worried about starting all the way at the bottom at this stage in my life. Would you have any recommendations on how/where I should look to see if I can make a fresh start? — Workaholic
Dear Workaholic: First off, congratulations on a successful career. It makes sense that you feel this way. Our work lives and our personal lives are two pillars of our happiness. Without both, we are out of balance.
If you are still passionate about your job, why not talk to management about creating boundaries for a better worklife balance? Many companies are allowing for remote work or increased benefits in the postCOVID world.
If you want to take a horizontal jump — well, you’ll never know if you don’t try.
Dear Annie: I would like to reply to “An Aging Adult Facing Reality.” I, too, have profound hearing loss and have been wearing hearing aids since the age of 10. Since receiving my first set of hearing aids, the advancements in technology have been staggering.
My main frustration with hearing aids these days is that medical insurance rarely covers any of the costs associated with purchasing them. Insurance companies consider hearing aids to be a “personal choice” rather than a “quality of life choice,” unfortunately.
Hearing aids are just as essential to quality of life as eyeglasses, braces, dentures, canes and so forth. Due to the lack of financial assistance on behalf of medical insurance, I would like to tell you of some organizations that help to offset the costs of purchasing hearing aids. It is my sincere hope that this information may help someone who is struggling to hear, who needs to purchase hearing aids and does not think they can afford them.
There are various Medicare Advantage Plans, and the AARP does offer some assistance toward the cost of purchasing a hearing aid. Unfortunately, you must be a member in order to have access to the financial help. If you do not qualify for either of those programs, please look into the following agencies and organizations for financial assistance toward purchasing hearing aids:
• The Starkey Hearing Foundation (Hear Now Program: 800-328-8602 (toll-free voice); info@starkeyfoundation.o rg; www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.
• Lions Club International: 630-571-5466; districtadministration@lionsclubs.org.
• Foundation For Sight & Sound: 888-580-8886; info@fssny.org.
• National Hearing Aid Project: 816-333-8300;
www.hearingcharities.org.
• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: Varies by state/work history.
• Hearing Loss Association of America:
www.hearingloss.org.
Individuals can access resources for their state.
Lastly, I encourage your readers to take some time to do research on the state in which they live. Many agencies offer state and federal grants that may offset a large portion, or cover all of the cost toward purchasing new hearing aids and other hearing assistance devices. States have their own agencies that offer grants, so by taking a little time to do a search online, you will find it well worth the effort. I hope this helps your readers in some small way. — Deaf and Proud
Dear Deaf and Proud: Thank you for these helpful resources.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” — Annie Lane's second anthology, featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book at www.creatorspublishing.com. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.