The Cheek Pinch

I haven't posted in a while and somehow I feel as if I blog more, maybe it will motivate me more. Who knows? All I can say is, these past couple of weeks have been really up and down. But I'm feeling a lot better now, thankfully.

Today I've been thinking a lot about those security blanket phrases. You know the ones I mean. The ones that you, as a college graduate, hear about 5 times a day. "Oh, you'll find a job soon." "You have to start somewhere." "It will be okay." "It teaches you hard work."

Okay, that last one makes sense but to all those other answers, you know what-NO! It might NOT be ok, I might NOT find a job doing exactly what I love that pays me really well, and yes I'm starting somewhere but what if I get stuck there or it goes somewhere that I didn't even want to go to in the first place?! What do you have to say to that??

I know that the people who say these things are just trying to show me some love and offer their support. But honestly, these words are not helpful in the slightest. These supposedly comforting phrases are in essence, the cheek pinch of the grown-up world. When you were little, they pinched your cheeks. Now that you're an adult, they use words to lure you into a false feeling of safety.

You know what would be more helpful and loving? If you can find me a job, or give me the experience I need to get a job, or pay for me to go back to school so I can learn more/bury my head in the sand for 2-4 more years. "I have someone who is looking for a ______", "You know I heard ______ is hiring", or better yet, "I want to hire you!" Those are the words I want to hear.

What makes these words so annoying, so awful is that, like I said, it may not be ok. So many retired and out of work adults have been forced to go back to work, some at menial jobs or jobs they are completed overqualified for. In an effort to make money during this time of economic instability,many many people are doing jobs they hate. All I'm trying to say is that I know you care about me, but let's get real here-we're in a terrible economy, the job market is awful. It may get worse before it gets better. Or it may just get worse and slightly better. Who knows? I need help finding a job, I need solid helpful advice, and I need experience so I can snag that job of my dreams. What I don't need are cheek pinches. They're annoying, useless and they leave an uncomfortable twinge of annoyance and pain.
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What I'm trying to say is that coddling me is not helpful. Soft, nice words are not helpful. I'd rather people say nothing at all, or a simple, "I'm sorry, I hope things get better." No one knows the future and I wish you would stop pretending you do.