Life On The Road...worth It?

[Teal]

Man, im exausted. I leave my home on Monday mornings at 0330 hrs, work 12-16 hr days, and dont usually walk back in the house till 2130hrs on Friday night. Ive been living out of hotels durring the week and working all over the east coast ever since I changed jobs back in March.

I have a good job and the company is taking care of me and the money is good but this really taking a toll on me. I have been making extra effort to spend time with my family and wife when i am home and on the weekends but I am really so exausted on Saturdays that it feels like im just going through the motions. I have put fishing and softball on the back burner and when im home dedicate my self to my wife,child, and my church and i feel like theres not enough of me to go around.

And last but not least, my fishing has suffered, i can count on one hand how many times ive been out on my boat in the last two months. (I did get to fish when i was in PA back three weeks ago)

I am venting a little/to you guys but i do not regret my refocus and lack of fishing but i do miss it...and i do miss being full of energy daily.

Anybody else here on the road alot got any tips or help to get over this hump.

[Dwight Hottle]

Sounds like your burning your self out. If it is temporary you might be able to deal with it but if it's ongoing you might want to reconsider. You can only burn the candle at both ends until the wax is all gone.

[BrettD]

Find something productive to do after work that you enjoy this gives you a little break for yourself. I found exercising after work helped it helps break up the monotony of working eating and sleeping.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Yep. I've done it for 8 years now. Just got back from 5 straight months of doing what you are. Taking a break with the non traveling company I work with now. Give it a year and I want to go back out for a bit.

I sat around counting my marbles all the time, AKA the stacks of cash i was making. Other ways to cope. Go to the gym. If that's not an option do a prison workout, AKA situps and pushups. You gotta numb your emotions down. Don't think about your family and your home. It only makes it harder. I'll give some more advice in a bit.

[Teal]

Yeah i do work out even when on the road, dumbell only workout...(i take them with me)

Yeah, i try to numb myself during the week.. i find things to do to keep me busy, and im quiite comffy on the road, i feel ran down once i get home...

Ive actually got a good summer cut down going right now... physically demanding work + decrease in caloric intake due to being to busy equals shredded abs

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Yeah i do work out even when on the road, dumbell only workout...(i take them with me)

Yeah, i try to numb myself during the week.. i find things to do to keep me busy, and im quiite comffy on the road, i feel ran down once i get home...

Ive actually got a good summer cut down going right now... physically demanding work + decrease in caloric intake due to being to busy equals shredded abs

At least your being productive. Too much down time makes it rough. Just gotta stay occupied. Plus the absence of fishing makes it that much better when you get back.

If your anything like me. Its fun for the first few weeks. Then starts to get old. Then starts getting to where you just cope as best you can. Then it ends. You enjoy being back home for a while. Then you start longing for the road again, and the cycle repeats.

My motives are cash driven though. I start wanting and/or needing money. Thats when i request travel work. I ain't dumb I know how much traveling work pays. For the most part the companies I've worked for are very good about giving me a choice. There are times I am told, but 9 out of 10 times, its either my request or choice.

[Teal]

Well this is the one out of ten, i dont really have a choice...its just the nature of the vegetation/tree managment business and I am a project manager so that just makes it worse.

I will however, after the current project i am on is over in late july/early august be able to handle all the gigs that are within an hour from home....that way i can stay at the house...untill i get another BIG project.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Well this is the one out of ten, i dont really have a choice...its just the nature of the vegetation/tree managment business and I am a project manager so that just makes it worse.

I will however, after the current project i am on is over in late july/early august be able to handle all the gigs that are within an hour from home....that way i can stay at the house...untill i get another BIG project.

If I hadn't just got back I might be envious of you. However, under the circumstances I'm enjoying my home time. I'll probably start yearning for it again come October. Moneys too good to just stay in town. My boss said if I start needing it. He will subcontract me to a welding company for a few months. It benefits both of us. I stay current in my welding and we both make money out of it. Traveling electrical work doesn't pay as well as process pipe welding.

[rockchalk06]

Skype and FaceTime are great tools. I talk to my son every night via FaceTime. Doesn't make it perfect, but it sure does help some

[Sam]

You write you go to church.

 

So look at your current siutation as a test.

 

We have lots of tests each day in our lives, from traffic to sales clerks to contractors to many frustrations.

 

So take this as your test. A test to keep your family financially solvent and secure. A test to see if you can continue to meet the challenges of your career and continue with a smile on your face.

 

Burnout is a problem that has derailed many careers. Unless you have another position secured do not leave your current employment.

 

Yes, it will be difficult. But if your wife understands and will work with you I am sure this is a temporary situation.

 

As for fishing, put it on the back burner. Don't allow fishing to become an obsession. Fishing is supposed to take your mind off your problems and allow you to enjoy nature. But for many fishing is a passion that comes before family and career.

 

Just keep focused on your career and taking care of your family. This will pay dividends and hopefully make your relationship with your wife and children stronger in the long run.

 

 

[Teal]

Thanks Sam! Its definitely refreshing to hear that message from a seeminglyy like minded person. That is exactly the way i look at it....but i didnt say it was easy. Im def not job hunting. I cant afford a move like that. And i know this is the path that He put me on. As for fishing, that is really the least of myy concern...tho i do miss it.

I guess what im saying is, myy head is screwed on straight and im doing this rkght and for the right reasons, im just really feeling the burn.

[derekxec]

i would get another job asap...i have found that its not worth killing yourself and there are easier less time consuming ways to make the same or more money than you do now 

[Root beer]

[quanjig]

Try to make an effort to eat well (veggies, fruit, balanced diet) and make sure you stay well hydrated. I started doing this (especially the water) and was amazed at how much better I feel at the end of each day. Fast food is easy and I'm sure being on the road makes it the best option some times but try it for a week and see if it helps. Just a thought!

[tyrius.]

Years ago I had the same question.  The answer was no it wasn't worth it.  Found a new job and was much happier being at home with the family than fighting my way through airports.

[gripnrip]

For years I have worked 2 and 3 jobs at a time.  Working full time and juggling 2 part time jobs or gigs I like to call them.  It does wear me down from time to time but the only difference is about me to you is, I get to be at home every night.  That makes it worth it for me.  Sometimes we have to do what we have to do to pay the bills.  I just put my head down and go to a different place when I am exhausted. I used to have many more irons in the fire but over the years I've gradually let some of my stuff go.  Good luck man.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I would say its worth it. Get to see new places. Meet new people. Plus make fat stacks of cash. Travel pay is so much better than regular pay, overtime adds up quick.

Plus you get per diem tacked on to it! Get to have quiet time every night. Unless you get stuck with a dang banjo and guitar playing old hippy like I just did. Then its not so quiet or nice. Especially when said hippy tries to learn to play the fiddle in the hotel room. My gosh that was horrible. Ended up hiding it from him, so he couldn't play it. He liked to kill me when he found it. Apparently he accused house keeping of stealing it. Oh the well.

I wouldn't give up my travel option for anything. But that's just me, and I'm greedy.