Mandon
Senior Member
Everyone here on the Rat Shack are honestly the only people I know who would [fully] understand why I want to do this, so I'm coming to you to pitch this idea [and to fish for encouragement. Not afraid to admit that. ] Sorry if this post seems like a guy thinking out loud. That's largely what it is - it helps to get my thoughts out in the open and discuss them with people I trust.
I'm 20 years old and I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't really gone anywhere in life. I didn't finish highschool and I've never had a job, and the years are ticking away which also incredibly sucks, especially since I'll be turning 21 in less than a week. I had challenges in school and in my homelife growing up and that contributed largely to that.. but I digress.
Since I started taking care of rats last year - I feel a lot better about myself and the progress I've made as a rat owner. I mean it's a night and day difference.. they've given me a reason to start balancing my budget, go out of my comfort zone to make sure they're happy and healthy - and numerous other things that I can't think of on the spot.. it's incredible. My girls have made such a profound difference in my life and I love them even more for it.
And it's also made me realize something. I LOVE taking care of animals. I love it enough to want to do it for a living. Granted, that's certainly not the only reason I'm considering becoming a vet. I'm sure a lot of you have noticed it in your towns.. there simply aren't enough vets who are educated on rodents and exotic pets. I want to be that vet for the people in my town.
But my self-esteem is incredibly low right now and my subsequent depression causes me to struggle with motivation. Finishing my highschool education, finding my first job, etc etc are all things you usually deal through a period of years - and I have to get them all done much quicker. It's overwhelming, especially when considering all the work to actually become a vet - and then of course figuring out where to start and how to muster up the confidence and motivation to do it is also a struggle for me. I just really need some advice, encouragement, pretty much anything you guys can throw at me to help me pursue this dream and get out of this rough patch in my life. As odd as it might say, you're truly the only people I feel I can turn to right now.
I'm 20 years old and I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't really gone anywhere in life. I didn't finish highschool and I've never had a job, and the years are ticking away which also incredibly sucks, especially since I'll be turning 21 in less than a week. I had challenges in school and in my homelife growing up and that contributed largely to that.. but I digress.
Since I started taking care of rats last year - I feel a lot better about myself and the progress I've made as a rat owner. I mean it's a night and day difference.. they've given me a reason to start balancing my budget, go out of my comfort zone to make sure they're happy and healthy - and numerous other things that I can't think of on the spot.. it's incredible. My girls have made such a profound difference in my life and I love them even more for it.
And it's also made me realize something. I LOVE taking care of animals. I love it enough to want to do it for a living. Granted, that's certainly not the only reason I'm considering becoming a vet. I'm sure a lot of you have noticed it in your towns.. there simply aren't enough vets who are educated on rodents and exotic pets. I want to be that vet for the people in my town.
But my self-esteem is incredibly low right now and my subsequent depression causes me to struggle with motivation. Finishing my highschool education, finding my first job, etc etc are all things you usually deal through a period of years - and I have to get them all done much quicker. It's overwhelming, especially when considering all the work to actually become a vet - and then of course figuring out where to start and how to muster up the confidence and motivation to do it is also a struggle for me. I just really need some advice, encouragement, pretty much anything you guys can throw at me to help me pursue this dream and get out of this rough patch in my life. As odd as it might say, you're truly the only people I feel I can turn to right now.