Pull back... (8)

Just came across this .....its a fairly long read but might help someone

A hard subject to talk about and I know only too well how the economic downturn can effect you. I don't think it just applies to men but I can only talk about how it effected me when I lost my business.

It's like a loss of face. You feel worthless to your family and friends. You feel like a failure. I remember thinking that I was afraid to go out because people would see me as a failure and that was with strangers. Not being able to support your children and not being able to give them the things you were previously capable of hurt and I took it personally.

Thankfully I was able to work through it with some support of family and friends and they helped me realise there are far more important things in life.

There is help out there and the rewards for reaching out for it are too countless to mention.

Good thread.

its a great article Taurean...

way i see it..

to become successful in business..there is a certain mindset and attitude u must adopt..and it becomes a way of measuring onself.

then when its virtually impossible to achieve this and things go beyond ur control..the transition to the more thankful for receiving mindset is very hard to change to.

I do feel there are a lot of men in ireland who need to feel like they are worthy, as many have been raised in a society where they have drilled into their head..ur a man..the provider and i think some are so stunned that because they cant do what they are used to ..they are no use.

theres a new convenience/supermarket opened near me lately..all the staff are men in their 30s..and one day in the queue i was thinking of the implications of this..it definately was purposely done..but its keeping 7/8 men from feeling redundant to their families where they coulda done the usual and hired 7/8 late teen girls and the odd mother for morning shifts..Im actually noticing these guys all know each other very well..now im thinking maybe they got together to buy the shop..or its one guy supporting his trades mates and hiring them, But i like it..it feels very positive.

ireland feels like the ireland i left school to in 91..the..who u know rather than what u know system atm, i still think we are better off this time around...and worse off..we know better luxury but that means a higher drop down to the bottom..and people will feel like the man in that article.

If we measure who we are, and what we are worth, on what we have and achieve in material senses..when that goes what are we left with?

Very honest post Vinny I think it effects women and men but from what I have seen more so men because most seem to relate their earning power and status to their own self worth. Losing a good lifestyle is hard but by no means the end I see it as a test in your ability to get back up again. Personaly I refuse to let the downturn break me after all its only money and if I have to work in McDonalds or clean toilets to survive I will do it. I too had a few businesses and was very well off during the boom time earning over 100 euro an hour, nice holidays, fancy house and car boy things have changed! After coming to terms with such a change in my income I found out what was truly important in my life. That is my kids, my family and close friends. When your on your knees with nothing you see who realy cares and I think you never forget it. Its a good lesson to learn. Ireland has made it through other recessions and we will make it through this one too

I've had to go back to college because there is no work to be had. The politicians/bankers of this country should be ashamed of themselves