Life can be hard and employment life very much so. My son went to a world class Engineering School- the very best for his field (Industrial Engineering) and still had to endure several years of underemployment in contract positions (including being fired from one contract position- and losing another due to a workplace health/environmental issue) before finally getting a permanent job.

You definitely have the best attitude- the one that starts with the realization that a job is not everything nor is our life defined by a job. This is actually an advantage in the job world- because it means that you have perspective: When you walk into an interview the terror is gone and you are as likely to ask your prospective employer questions are they are to ask you questions. You absolutely nailed it when you said that, just as employers have high expectations for you, we should all have high expectations of our employer as well.

Good fortune is sure to find you in the coming year. You certainly have my best wishes.

@turtuallysarcastic

You’re optimism is showing, and it’s inspiring. Professional journeys are long and hard, it’s so easy to be strangled by the ever growing cynicism... DB has been my place of solace during many hard hours professionally for me, too. I’ve just started at a new company, and so far I’m tentatively hoping that, even if the people are not positive, at least they won’t be negative. I’m afraid to want anything more. Maybe I should watch Chief Kim. (I usually avoid comparing work to dramas, because it’s easy to get ever more frustrated by the ideals and happy endings on the screen).

I’m glad you find your way to dramas, and here, and look forward to reading the next chapter in your story. Fighting!

May good fortune smile upon you. Fighting!

Wishing you the best for 2020!!

great article....all the best:-)

Wonderful post.

Dan-yi really resonated with me too. I love how she actively pursued that position and each day tried to make the most of it. Also, while I did not like her clothes I liked the colors and patterns as if she wasnt going to just fade into the background anymore.

I hope 2020 leads you exactly to the place you need to be....maybe it will happen as Park Min Young finds her way to a certain bookstore.

Ah everything you said hit me hard, went through the exact same thing myself. More power to us to overcome this ❤️

All your steps are never missteps, remember that. You can always put all your experiences into your next resume and stand out that much more in your next job. Never give up, your permanent position is out there! And I have a good friend who wrote during National Writing Month, her second novel. She still doesn’t have her first published but is not giving up. Keep tenaciously fighting, @turtuallysarcastic!

I find some of your experience relatable @turtuallysarcastic and I like how you end the essay with such an inspiring optimism, may all your effort bloom beautifully in 2020, best wishes!

@turtuallysarcastic I loved this. I did. I especially loved where you said that being employed doesnt lead to a happily ever after. I was SO EXCITED to get my library job before this one---I last 6 months before racism and favoritism and lack of respect made me quit. I was equally excited when I got the job that I have now--more so even, as it pays more and its a big library system. If I dont like where Im at, I can try try again at another branch!
But, like you say in this write up---I cant depend on my job to bring me my joy. And, most importantly, I need to have high standards for them to meet as well. This is a really good library system. I have been TOLD many times that I need to be grateful, like bow down on the ground and be grateful that I was plucked from obscurity and chosen by this ah-mah-zing library system. And they are dead serious when they say it. I've been told this by two different managers and a few different employees. The arrogance of this community makes them discount anyone who comes in from the outside. For a while there I was becoming so beat down by this system that when my boss threatened to fire me--in front of another employee and consistently does every thing he can to make me feel welcome? I was willing to let that go. Because I HAD A JOB that paid DECENT and I DESERVED and blah blah blah.
When did being a librarian mean being in an abusive relationship? I learned to use the system to fight back.
And now I need to work on my balance, like you, and find joy out side of job.
Thanks for being SO completely awesome.

Woohoo, I got published three years in a row! :) Thank you Dramabeans Staff, for editing and publishing my review. I apologize for the RIABB spoilers, I was not aware while writing that it would turn out like this. :)
Thank you Beanies for reading and your sweet replies! I apologize for the late comment, but I just got back from a weekend with friends and zero internet ;).

All the best for you in 2020, Turtie! Your piece reminded me to be thankful for a wonderful work family that I have right now and all the wonderful beanies with inspiring thoughts. May you find what you're looking for and here's to more inspiring drama in 2020!!

@turtuallysarcastic you deserve all the 💕💕💕!