Dissatisfaction

This blog will probably skew a little personal for a week or two, because I’m in the midst of a major career change. The distressing thing is, I’m getting hammered by friends right and left, because I seem “insufficiently excited” about my options. They all expect more “rah rah rah.” I do have some excellent options before me, and I am thankful. But I’m also hesitant to invest any unexplored avenue with the advance baggage of being the “perfect” thing for me. Is there even one “perfect” career direction? And would bubbly mania be the best indication I had found it?

I have no objective way to ascertain what is “perfect” for me, except to look at what aspects of my career failed to satisfy me in the past, and extrapolate. I’m basing my decision to move forward on dissatisfaction. Everyone seems to feel that’s big negative. But is it? What other source of objective evidence is there? Isn’t recognizing and acting on your dissatisfaction a healthy thing? After all, dissatisfaction is America’s Greatest Asset!

I found these classic ads at Modern Mechanix. I love the one with the housewife, who doesn’t look “dissatisfied” with her sofa-cleaning strategies anymore. In fact, she looks rabidly Stepfordian! That’s something I want to avoid: faking enthusiasm. Because I’m not good at it. I don’t love easily. But when I do love something, I throw myself into it violently. I’m not ready to throw myself violently one way or the other yet – not without evidence. I’m still too much of a scientist for that sort of impetuosity. And I’m too old for the bruises.

On the other hand, if anyone has any helpful advice on how to decide between law schools, specifically those in Cambridge and New Haven, email me.