When people say you have "great potential" ... for what? And do you agree with them? In what skill or interest areas?

And when write that you want "just a job" instead of a career, what do you mean by that? Is it that you would be fairly happy with, say, office or retail work, as long as it was 8-5, and that you are not interested in "moving up the company ladder?"

I think it would be helpful to clarify some of your statements on employment.

Many people work at jobs, that is, work at something for pay that they can do, without having some major career callings. There's no shame in that.

I suggest reading the want ads and apply for those postings that interest you. Also, look at some of the trade schools where you live. They have short courses in all sorts of things from medical helpers (like dental assistants and office management) to massage therapists. Perhaps something will catch your fancy.

I'm a big fan of talking with people (family, friends, neighbors, etc.), to learn about their work/profession. Ask questions like; how did you get into the field? what to you like and dislike? what skills are required?

I also recommend the book, Get Hired Now (Traditi). It's a day-by-day plan to help you land a job in 30 days

Why do you have to have a career? All you need to do is make enough money to fulfill your obligations. If you have a degree in interior design, maybe you could consider selling furniture. many people need a skilled helper, not just a salesperson. They don't know what to do with space.

Maybe you are not one of those people who needs a niche. You do need an income if you have bills to pay.

Don't worry so much what other people say, worry about what you are willing to do to make money ... and do it!

And have fun along the way. For the first time in my life, now that I am retired from a career, I am earning a living doing odd things that amuse me and don't abuse me. I gave forty years to a career that I had success in but, except for the half of it when I was working for myself, was too rigid and structured for my will-o-the-wisp ways.

Best of luck to you and remember, if you can afford to be on a computer, you must be making money somewhere. So stop listening to people who want to make you unhappy and do what pleases you - without putting the burden for your care upon someone else - now that is worthy of complaints!

Thnks for the comments. And your are right, while everyone says I have "potential" no one has ever said to what that potential pertains. I have taken aptitude tests and seem to score equally well in just about every field so I am told to pick a field that interests me. So I have worked at jobs in several different fields and while I liked several of them none of them enticed me to stick with it.

I have tried working for myself but I am not good at selling and to work for yourself you have to be able to sell your work.

I have no reason to want to move up any company ladder. I do not want or need the stress. I have worked retail many times and usually end up quitting when they push to promote me to a supervisory position which I do not want.

I used to work on golf courses, daily chores to prep it for the days players. I taught a lot of women to mow greens, tees, fairways and rough. Move tee markers and pin placements. Women caught on faster than men and usually did a better job. Its outside and requires a lot of walking. Using a line trimmer is the most work one might encounter. There is a great deal of pride in knowing the Golf Course is in great shape due to your own efforts. I needed to make more money and went into construction. I know women who have their own business cleaning up construction sites, Taking the stickers off the windows and washing them for the first time. They work 4 hours a day and make a killing. I drive big trucks now and my dispacher was a woman who coordinated 8 trucks from behind the wheel using the company radio and the CB radio. She got pregnant and did this job till she was 8 mos. She was a good driver and a respected dispacher. Also very sexy in a hard hat. You or any woman can do anything you put your focus on. Quit making excuses and go do it.

One thing that really helps a lot of people is focusing on one small thing that really brings you joy. if you love Interior Design, read books from the library, or find a local group of Interior Designers that meets at night. You could even decorate your kids' Barbie house!

Benefit of doing this is that it will feed you and create a sense that there is something good going on. It doesn't have to be a big deal, just do something regularly - even for 30 minutes after the kids are in bed.

If you want to see some examples of how other women have dealt with this check out the stories here: avocationist.com