I'm Tired

The grind has it's way of catching up. I must say a 40 hr workweek sounds like a vacation at this point. If anything it is just one of those days, but at times I feel like just hanging up the keys and doing something else. The hard part is this is all I really have for myself at the moment. I make good money and save a lot, but at the same time I wonder how it would be to get a regular life back.

I just have to keep at it, the behind the wheel time has it's way of getting to one. It can be a very bipolar experience out here, aka the emotional rollercoaster.

I'm not gonna run away just yet, just thought I would share this to those thinking they are going to have it easier as a truck driver. It's a tough way of life. That is my perception anyways. The only experience I have is this and minimum wage jobs. Anyways hope everyone is doing well, looks like I'm going to be in this dock for a while.

looks like I'm going to be in this dock for a while.

Get you some rest while there Gladhand. You can always be counted on for an honest update.

For the newbies reading this, Gladhand always puts it right out there as far as how he's feeling about this job. Sometimes he is ecstatic, and other times he just seems to be plodding along. His main point though is to be aware that you are going to be on a roller coaster of emotions, especially at the beginning.

Gladhand, at some point you really should be leveling out and getting the hang of these rigorous schedules. I'm wondering if "highs and lows" were a common theme of yours before you got into trucking. It certainly has been a common thread in your posts in here. I realize that you have been sort of switching around into different divisions, and that can be sort of a roller coaster effect in itself. Do you tend to look back on your old minimum wage jobs and think about how much time you had with your friends back when you were broke?

I love your honesty, I am just curious whether you bring some of these roller coaster emotional effects on yourself with your own thoughts about how good things were back then, when maybe they weren't really all that good after all. You did decide to get into trucking for a reason, and I think it was because things weren't so great back in the days of working as a cashier.

That's probably why you feel this way. You haven't experienced truly feeling stuck in a job.

I felt hopeless where I was. The money was good, but I was.miserable. everyone walked around miserable with that same stuck feeling. I had put in almost two decades into what started great and became horrible.

Trucking gives us options and flexibility. If you do get tired, then maybe look for something else but leave on good grounds so if you want to come.back you can. Sometimes we need a recharge. Sometimes we need a complete change.

I hope you decide what you want and all turns out well.

looks like I'm going to be in this dock for a while.

Get you some rest while there Gladhand. You can always be counted on for an honest update.

For the newbies reading this, Gladhand always puts it right out there as far as how he's feeling about this job. Sometimes he is ecstatic, and other times he just seems to be plodding along. His main point though is to be aware that you are going to be on a roller coaster of emotions, especially at the beginning.

Gladhand, at some point you really should be leveling out and getting the hang of these rigorous schedules. I'm wondering if "highs and lows" were a common theme of yours before you got into trucking. It certainly has been a common thread in your posts in here. I realize that you have been sort of switching around into different divisions, and that can be sort of a roller coaster effect in itself. Do you tend to look back on your old minimum wage jobs and think about how much time you had with your friends back when you were broke?

I love your honesty, I am just curious whether you bring some of these roller coaster emotional effects on yourself with your own thoughts about how good things were back then, when maybe they weren't really all that good after all. You did decide to get into trucking for a reason, and I think it was because things weren't so great back in the days of working as a cashier.

Thanks for that, I kind of been bipolar with things since I started and then dropped out of College. I was naive thinking I had everything planned out and it was going to be easy. Then reality punched me square in the face. I think a lot of it may just have to do with not really knowing what I want from life.

I live a way better life than I did just 2 years ago that is for sure. It is the whole reason I decided to drive in the first place. I had nothing in terms of opportunity so decided to get into this industry. I am adjusting more and more. I don't stress about losing a load or making mistakes like I used too. I think it is a matter of not having much time off, but at the same time I had most of January off and hated being back home. The positive to take from this, is the emotions aren't as repetitive as they have been in the past. The occurrence is more spread out now, just thought it would be good to share those that think trucking is the easy way out to make a lot of money.

Right there with you brother. The other day I was reciting in my mind what I would say to my DM. " bring me in I'm not liking this at all. I want out." but I asked myself if I honestly want to go back to the c-store job back home? Yeah I miss my simple lifestlye. Beach and mt. biking during the day. Friends and fellowship. Not yet. I reflected on things I've read here and that helped. Also when I redirected my thoughts toward the things I am grateful for helped as well. Bringing my thoughts back to the present relieved the disturbance and past few days have been better. But it can get emotional. Thanks for your honest share.

That's probably why you feel this way. You haven't experienced truly feeling stuck in a job.

I felt hopeless where I was. The money was good, but I was.miserable. everyone walked around miserable with that same stuck feeling. I had put in almost two decades into what started great and became horrible.

Trucking gives us options and flexibility. If you do get tired, then maybe look for something else but leave on good grounds so if you want to come.back you can. Sometimes we need a recharge. Sometimes we need a complete change.

I hope you decide what you want and all turns out well.

Definitely. I know a lot of you guys got out of some crappy work situations and trucking was that big relief. It is what we make of it and the nice thing, like you said, is how one can leave and come back no problem. I keep this in mind as I save more money and look at different things I can do.

I'm doing Intermodal and see a lot of Swift containers at the rail yards. Might be something to look into. I'm mostly local, have weekends off and make more than I made OTR with Prime. There's some guys driving daycabs where I work that are home every night. I prefer longer loads so I spend a couple nights a week in the truck. A long load in intermodal is 300-600 miles.

I don't know your whole situation but it's worth looking into. Good luck what ever you decide.

I think part of your trepidation is that you are young. You are still searching for a passion. My emotional roller coaster was during my time in the military. Especially up until I had first left the service. The realities of civilian life sucked. So I went back into the service. I had every intention of staying until I retired. Unfortunately I injured my back.

Perhaps taking a break from trucking for 6 months to a year will let you know whether you want to do this as your career or if it is time to find another path to walk. Sometimes we all need reminders of what our goals in life are and what it is we enjoy enough to pursue to the end of those goals.

Drive Safe and God Speed.

Remember it is not the destination, but the journey that truly matters.

Hey bro think about it this way. You're a young single guy right? No kids or anything like that? I'd say take advantage of your situation. A lot of drivers out there, myself included, have families back home depending on us. I don't necessarily feel forced to keep driving, but I know I can't just hang up the keys whenever I feel because I'm not the only one affected. I just turned 27 a few months ago so I'm probably not much older than you. But my advice would be to continue saving lots of money as you say, pay off your debts if you haven't already, and maybe get back in school if that's what you want. Good luck anyway.

For me at 50, I had just lost a deadend job and was finding anything to replace that with that would pay me close to what I was making. I am loving trucking. The beauty of this country never ceases to amaze me. Sure I miss my wife. But we both know this is for our future. She is happy that I am happy. Yes, It's long hours, but I am not hurting my body like I was before. For me this is easy. It's all a matter of perspective and seeing the big picture. That is sometimes harder to do the younger you are. Good luck.