thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Lately I can't help but feel completely burnt out. I'm not sure what's going on, but this job isn't near as fun as it used to be for me. I used to feel excited and uppity when I arrived at work and now I just feel..well..exhausted and bored, and it is affecting my money. I'm not sure if this is something I should just switch clubs for, or if I should take a break or quit all together. For those of you that took a long break/quit, how did you know it was time? And for those of you that have taken breaks, does it help a lot? Or do you come back to right where you left off, still feeling the same burn out? I was thinking about maybe taking a break, changing my look, and coming back completely fresh. Another thing I have considered is switching clubs. The only thing that holds me back is that I already dance in the nicest club in my area and if I switch clubs I am going to be taking a step down (clubs that have more extras, and don't have a great reputation) There are only about 4 other clubs in my area. I know deep down I don't want to quit, but if I don't enjoy my job like I used to/make that good of money anymore, sometimes I wonder why I'm still doing it. I could really use some words of advice! Thank you!
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Don't quit especially if you have goals or reason youre doing this. I got burnt out really bad in 2006 and completely stopped and then started back 2009 or 2010 with completely nothing. Plus this time around im older and it wasn't easy initially, so I say keep going if you can. I change clubs when people start getting on my nerves sometimes it helps. A vacation or break for a couple of weeks to maybe a month wont hurt but make sure you go back. Good luck:)
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Do you have another stream of income where you could stop dancing without having to dip into savings? Even if it's just enough to cut back on a shift or two, just being in the club less often could do wonders. If dancing is your only income, it certainly wouldn't hurt to do some job hunting and see if quitting is actually a viable option.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
@ shanna dior, I do currently work a mininmum wage job aside from dancing which is giving me enough hours to keep me financially stable. Right now I am only dancing 2 or 3 nights a week, so I have cut back as much as I possibly can without completely leaving.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
When I am burnt out I go to lower end club in my city. It is a big confidence boost, I am usually busy the whole time. The potential is lower there, but I feel busier:-)
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
shasta
When I am burnt out I go to lower end club in my city. It is a big confidence boost, I am usually busy the whole time. The potential is lower there, but I feel busier:-)
Funny that you say this, because I was actually just venting to my boyfriend last night, and telling him maybe I would do this^^. I guess it never hurts to try something completely different from what I'm used to.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
i feel burnt out all the time, but i just attribute it to being like most jobs that you will always gets sick of..unfortunately with ours it hurts our money big time! i would definitely take a break, but don't quit yet..do something relaxing and fun and when you go back update/change your look, check out different clubs, maybe do different days? that's what has helped me because there is no way i can take a long break. but if you can financially swing it, go for it! good luck!! :)
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Thanks guys, these are all very very helpful responses. :) It really helps me feel better to know I'm not the only one who feels/has felt this way. When I go into work and all of the other girls are all cheery and motivated to work it has me wondering why I'm the one feeling so burnt out. Good to know this is a common thing. I think it really hit me last night for some reason.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Sometimes when I felt burnt out it really was just me needing a change of scenery. There is nothing wrong with club hopping. If you do go to a different club and still feel this way, then maybe it's time for you to take a break to venture onto something else entirely. All I know is life to too short to not be happy at a job, or not feel fulfilled in it. If dancing doesn't make you happy, try and find something that will. Another idea too (if you really wanna keep working in clubs), maybe your club will let you waitress or bartend a night or two a week and dances the other days. This will allow you to not feel as bored since you get to switch up your work duties, while still keeping the same place of employment. :)
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
When you are feeling burnt out taking a break from work or working less (if a break isn't an option) can help you to mentally and physically recover.
It's good to take time out when you are feeling this way and to simply rest and focus on yourself and on your personal or professional life OTC. Have some "me time"-run a bath, play some music, make cupcakes, watch that flick you've been dying to catch etc...
IMO, a change can be as good as a holiday and sometimes it's enough to shake you out of a rut. But just remember that while the club will be new-the job will be the same. So taking time off before you decide whether or not to change clubs is probably a good idea :).
If you are seriously considering quitting ask yourself things like, "Can I support myself without the income dancing generates? Will I be finically stable, comfortable and happy?", "Am I ready to give up the lifestyle and have I achieved what I set out to when I started dancing (i.e. save some money, support yourself through your schooling etc, whatever the reason)"?
If you do decide to hang up your heels, remember you can always go back to dancing in the near future if you ever need or want.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Quote:
If you are seriously considering quitting ask yourself things like, "Can I support myself without the income dancing generates? Will I be finically stable, comfortable and happy?", "Am I ready to give up the lifestyle and have I achieved what I set out to when I started dancing (i.e. save some money, support yourself through your schooling etc, whatever the reason)"?
This was exactly where I was at for the last 2-3 years before I finally hung up my heels. I'd quit live dancing for 6 months, but eventually see that the 'cash flow' situation was running negative relative to my savings / investment earnings. So I would put the heels back on, reverse the 'cash flow', and stick with it for as long as my energy / psychological state would allow - which was typically another 6-12 months. After going through this cycle 3 or 4 times I finally found my solution - move out of the USA so that 1/3rd of my income no longer had to go towards taxes !!!
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Have you considered Portland? It wouldn't be that far from Salem and there are tons of clubs there. That way maybe you can find an even better club and not have to go down to a lower end club.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ambermaexxx
Have you considered Portland? It wouldn't be that far from Salem and there are tons of clubs there. That way maybe you can find an even better club and not have to go down to a lower end club.
I would love to work in Portland but I live all the way in Albany and I don't think it'd be worth the drive. Me and some friends have talked about checking it out for a night, but I don't think I would want to drive 2 hours to work a few times a week :( I was thinking about checking out Sweethearts down the street considering I already know a few people who work there and like shasta said above, going to a lower-end club might be a nice confidence boost.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
I take a break whenever I start making less than $100 a night for 3 consecutive shifts. I don't know why. but I have a vicious money cycle. I do really great for a while (like 200+ everynight after fees), then have my 3 bad nights, take a 2 week break, and then come back to repeat it. I think getting in a rut can be the worst thing sometimes. It just makes my mood at work even worse, causing me to get lazy or easily irritated. Taking a breather is great, it seems like I have new girl luck when I come back!
Since you do have a vanilla job, just tell the club you're going on vacation. When you come back, give it a few weeks and decide if you want to stay, find a new club, or quit.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
Great advice in this thread.
Also, if you decide to take some time off, be sure to differentiate between wasting your free time and using your free time to revive yourself. There's a difference between watching a couple of movies to relax and spending days on end planted in front of Netflix. Do things to feed your spirit. You're literally using the time to refuel yourself, so make sure to use high-quality fuel (i.e. activities that increase your energy in a healthy way).
For example, eat high-quality foods (including greens and vegetables), stretch in a patch of sun in your living room, meditate (even if you've never meditated before), write in your journal, get a massage, spend a day at a coffee shop reading/writing/surfing the web, etc. Do not go into ultra-hibernation mode. It is SO easy to get into that cycle of "I worked hard - I deserve a break" (which you did and do) and using that to fuel a mini addiction to Netflix, Tumblr, or even StripperWeb.
I'd also check out the book (library!) How to Not Be Afraid of Your Own Life. I'm reading it right now, and it's a book that's good for the soul.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
^^^^This all day! I like to do things like listen to Brian Tracy, Eckhart Tolle, and Tony Robbins to recharge. The first works on the mechanics of selling. The second works on spirituality, and the last works on pumping up my positivity. Their seminars/teachings are available free on You Tube and to purchase on Amazon. I LOVE walks in nature. I live on the beach so I go for a walk, chat with tourists, maybe take a walk in the woods. I do research and take courses online to expand my knowledge and prepare for my Second Act after I leave dancing. There's lots to do in your down time to nourish your mind and spirit.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
This was all awesome advice. Thank you Charlie and Optimist, those are some great suggestions.
Update:
I didn't end up quitting or leaving. However, I have now cut my shifts back even more and only worked one day a week for the past two weeks. This has helped alot! It also helps that I have been scheduled a whole bunch at my vanilla job (2 people who used to work my position recently quit so I am now filling in those shifts). I have been working my day job almost 6 days a week and the roles have actually switched; I have been looking forward to dancing and looking at it as a "get away" from my normal day job.
Re: thinking about taking a long break/quitting
I typically feel way better after a long break, like I am ready to go back and my attitude reflects it. I say just take a break