My career has been a huge stress factor in my life. I have been working in the culinary field since I was 8. My mother raised me in it. I had older siblings who wanted nothing to do with me so my mom as an easy babysitter brought me to work with her. There I built a passion for hospitality and food. With that said, I regret it every day. Because of this field I have dropped out of school, ruined relationships, and worse became a huge addict. I am now going into my 30th year of being in it and I'm exhausted. I'm tired of sacrificing and missing out on life because of it. Someone recently told me I need to reevaluate my life's plan and that being there for my daughter is more important. They are completely right and that is what I did today. I have a VIP party with the Governor, State representatives, and president of my company coming in for a 7 course menu. I did something I've never done before in all the years I worked. I bailed on them because my daughter needed me most. I usually call, beg, and pay people to go there for me because I see my job as more important. I feel I need to execute the menu because no else sees my vision or will pay attention to the fiber details that I put into each plating. The reason for that is because without a job I can't provide. NOT today. Today I said F*** YOU I'm out of here. I feel so good about that too. I can care a less if they ate grilled cheese and tomato soup because of me leaving. ALL WELL. I am not going to be owned by this company anymore. When I picked my daughter up she said to me,"daddy what about your job and the party today?" I told her you are more important than anything in life and I will always screw the world over and choose you first. I don't care about any of that. See drugs and alcohol have been the underlying of my addictions. Because what I'm really addicted to is working and money. I used to love playing with food but ever since I got custody of my daughter she has been my main focal. Until lately where I got back in to old habits and started putting my responsibilities second and work first. I don't care if I sleep in a box or have holes in my clothes because of it. As long as my child is happy that's all I care about. I am currently making soup and laying with my baby. God it feels so good to be free from that pressure. I'm actually searching for a new career but the problem is I only have an 8th grade education. Yes, I got a Ged and went to culinary school but those were common sense. Does anyone have advise or suggestions about where I can go for employment that will give me more flexibility in my home life? I've only done food and ran kitchens all my life.
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Conversation at my meetings about how your line of work is not good for people recovering. As I’m sure you know it can be an industry with a lot of alcohol and drug use. I’m sorry I don’t have any answers for you but I think you are wise to be looking for a change, best of luck.
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Something not so demanding.