Working Woman

I have discovered that life in your early 20s is all about learning how to handle responsibilities. For me, getting married, continuing my education, pursuing my career, and keeping the rest of my life in balance can be extremely stressful. This winter I've been rather sickly as a result of trying to keep up with everything. So, last weekend I ended up in the hospital, and while resting up in bed, I got sucked into this beautiful color photo pool of the 1930s 1940s. What drew me in the most were the photos of working women and widows during World War II.

I have been feeling so down and discouraged lately with how busy I am, and the fact that I am not enjoying what I am doing. I haven't had time to do the things that I love and that inspire me. But these beautiful women, who probably had children at home and dinner that needed cooked, who worked hard for the good of something greater than themselves is something extraordinary to see. I've started thinking about how selfish our modern society encourages us to be. And while I know resting and investing time in yourself is important, I want to think more about the world around me than the world inside my head. I want to be a part of something greater.

I was thinking last week that I want to start out by doing small things, like serving at a soup kitchen or doing something for a local charity. And since these thoughts started creeping up, I've received two blind e-mails with opportunities for me to get involved with my community. I'm starting to realize how easy it really is to become the woman I want to be.

 

Comments

[katie squires]

Inspiring :) Thank-you :)

[Betsey J]

Thank you so much for sharing this post, it's really inspiring. And you're totally right about this selfish society that we live in. I was just talking about volunteering at my local planned parenthood.

[Elizabeth]

I love these! Did you know Marilyn Monroe was "discovered" doing a similar job? Thanks for sharing.

[kim]

beautiful...

[Michelle Sanders]

Ok...
A) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF WOMAN! I had no idea you were so down. I'm so sorry!
B) Thanks for sharing these pics...what a great find to stumble upon.
C) Voluteering is wonderful. I did it a lot more before I had Zane but I still do it from time to time. Most recently was helping out with the St. Joseph's alter at Church by baking cookies with the church ladies. That was an amazing experience. You can also teach classes at the library or recreation centers. Kids and adults of all ages would love your scrap skills!

It's great that you wanna give back but make sure you are healthy...you won't do anyone any good if you aren't! Kisses!

[Mi Amore L]

I love this post ! so true about our modern society ...Feel better lady

[Marilyn]

Are you sure these pictures are old? They are amazing. I had to mark this entry as a "favorite" because it's good to be reminded to think outside of ourselves. I've been thinking more about volunteering too especially now that things are getting more on track in my life. Hope things pan out for you.

[kara]

Awesome message in this post, I loved it so much. It's such a bummer that you're so sick. Take care of yourself! Get well soon!

[medieval clothing]

Classic! The pictures just show what our women can do.. ;)

[Mandi]

I know, right, Marilyn? They look so modern! The whole flickr set is pictures in color from the 30s and 40s, and tons of color pictures from the depression. The quality and color is amazing!

[Victoria / Justice Pirate]

I think that is beautiful that you want to do more in the community. Too many people don't even want to try to do such things. I hope you are feeling better since your hospitalization. I love these shots. I recently saw someo f these shots in the Library for when I did my Riveter hair tutorials on youtube. I wanted to get better ideas. It was probably so difficult for those women to have a change in their lives. There is a Goldie Hawn movie I watched recently about how women really didn't have much to do at home if they didn't have kids and were married as their husbands went off to war. her character worked and when her husband came home a few years later, he found his wife was a different person and that was hard on him too. Anyway it was an interesting film. a bit of a depressing story, but it gives you an idea of their lifestyle changes.

I agree that a lot of changes can happen in the early twenties. I got married at 20, was a manager at a job (most people were in school), got my own place and independency feeling, got pregnant at 22, and had two kids all by the time I was 25. That's a lot of change in my early 20s! So anyway I hear you there!

Thanks for the great entry.

[Marilyn]

@Mandi I have been on such a WWII kick lately, whenever there is a documentary on tv I have to leave it on. I'm especially drawn to the 2nd photo w/ the blue pants, very striking.

[Joanne]

I hope you're feeling better :)

Thank you for this inspiring post. I am 23 & a full-time student, and I too have been feeling that way lately. I actually should be in class right now but stayed home due to a lingering cold. I've decided to volunteer at a local hospital in order to gain career experience as well as giving back to others. I often get too wrapped up in my own life and dwell on trivial things. I'm glad there are others out there that have struggled with this too. Good luck with everything!

[Becca]

"karma yoga" or selfless service is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I started doing volunteer work in my twenties also :)

[Danielle-cococricketsmama]

good for you sweetie, that's so good for your soul.
And look at these ladies, strong, independent, hard-working, and so swell in those threads-Agh! Great photos!

(PS, where's my opacity? I used to have it there and now it's gone...)

[Jolie Churchill]

Well first off I hope that you are ok! Get rest I love you too much for you to fizzle out. :) Having been and still am in the same senario in a lot of ways I can totally identify. Funny that you wrote this post this week because this past weekend I had the exact revelation. Even though I am busy beyond belief I am not put here on this earth for what I can gain but to glorify God and to show others His love. Thank you for the encouragement. Love you get better:)

[Sara]

I learned the same lessons in my twenties about taking time for myself and not burning myself out (still learning them but it's better!). I've learned to give to myself first when I'm getting run down. Are you doing some things each week that feed yourself and no one else (not your husband, blog readers, friends, etc.). Also if you add something to your very full life, you need to take something away or let something go. Also as ambitious women, sometimes we just have to put down the do-list and sit still for awhile. Baths, naps, slow rambling walks, they all belong in a beautiful life! Hope you feel better soon!

[Alison]

Wow. This is so inspiring. I would love to be like these women. Strong, hardworking, dedicated to their families AND a cause, and looking just falulous to boot!

[Elly]

Oh! These photos are amazing - and agreed, sometimes it does make you feel better to do a little more for you community and help out where you can. Hope your volunteering experiences go well :)

[Cait]

I totally agree that life is so much more than about 'me time' and is much more fulfilling if we're living it for others and the world. Sometimes I've wondered though, if those WWII women who kept working after the war ended up giving up their families for their independence. I think that would be a selfish tragedy, and that's what I want to avoid, though I want to live for a beautiful cause, like they tried to do during the war. (I hope that made sense!)

[Michelle Clement]

Goodness!! In the hospital? I was going to say I know how you feel, stress-wise, but I've never run myself down that much (yet!). Get some rest, hun!

I'm just about to go back to school for a degree and am a little worried about the extra business-on-top that will bring, but it's helpful to hear you struggling with the balance of everything, too. '20's are def. all about finding your ground!

The ladies working are totally inspiring, too. :) (Love the girl painting the yellow plane!). Here's to not being overwhelmed & over-stressed!

[Provi]

This is going to sound really crazy...and probably really random...

But if you really want to be part of something so much bigger, let God become apart of your life. You'll definitely be a part of something much bigger.

And even cooler, something that will last forever.

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This winter I've been rather sickly as a result of trying to keep up with everything.

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[louis]

I’m hoping that we’ll end up with a slew of prototyped ideas and a bunch of happy people. I’m sure there’ll be a lot more hard work until we can turn those embryonic proofs of concept into living

[Michael]

Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?