Lately I've been itching to get back into the workplace due to sick of being stuck at home. And it couldn't have come at a worse time--when I'm making steady income in poker. Do any of you other grinders feel this way too and if so what do you do about it? My problem is I'm not really qualified for any good jobs, despite having a degree (in math) from a good university. It was too long ago and the only job I could get is like a job at Target, which right now would be fun to me--the getting back into society aspect of it. Then I think about going from what I've got financially in poker to a minimum wage job and I realize how absurd it is. Yet us grinders are pretty much on our own islands--none of our friends can relate to our work, they live in 9-5 world. Idk...just feel so isolated. Kinda wanted to see if anyone else experienced this feeling to and if so whatcha do about it.

Happy holidaze!

Why don't you volunteer? When I was playing poker full time I volunteered a lot, to do something productive. Met a lot of great people, and still do it, although stopped poker on Black Friday...

I played full time for the past year since graduating and I felt the sane way. I ended up getting a part time job to mix things up. I also started taking classes in hopes if opening up a small business within two years. I still play poker, but I attribute about 20-25 hours a week for it now. Poker will always be there IMO so why not spend your time pursuing other interests?

About year and half ago, I choose to start trading full time from home. So I can relate to how you feel. Working alone is terribly isolating. I actually play poker at the casinos on the weekend for some social interaction and some profit but it's hard being friendly with people you are trying to beat out of money. I'm on the east coast, so I was actually thinking about moving to the west coast (san fran). Trade the early morning and work full time afterwards. Addtl benefit is health coverage.

You should see if Target will hire u for the evening shift. Min wage might not be much but health benefits and social interaction could make up for it.

this man...im sure you can find something easy during this time!

or do something like super part time, like less than 20 hours just to get the F out of the house and meet and interact with people...

or become an alcoholic and go to your local dive bar at 11 am...you will become good friends with the bartenders at least!jk VOLUNTEER!

Don't get in a minimum wage job. You want the social interaction but honestly, getting a job isn't the way to do it. I don't want to sound like a complete dick, but where are your friends before you started playing poker? To me, this doesn't sound like playing poker is the biggest issue.

Get a GF. Between that and poker you will have zero time.

^haha so true

travel the world or at least where there is internet..

She'll just tell you your lazy, and to go get a real job, and and and and....

I know this is going to sound really really dumb but I got a cat and she cheers me up immensely when I play poker. It's just nice having someone else around to hang around with when you're doing a 14 hour grind or whatever. She even stepped on the keyboard once and made a hero call when I wanted to laydown.

What I sort of meant to say was yeah it can be really isolating and lonely to be cut off from the rest of the world. Like someone else suggested, volunteering or taking classes is a really good idea. Some class like cooking, sports, photography, drawing, music etc... can help you meet friends and interact more and also learn new skills.

I actually have many friends who left poker for worse-paid jobs just because they missed the interaction and all the 'water cooler' moments you get from working in an office or something like that. You might still have your old same friends but being a poker player means you don't really get to share in the same emotional moments like your friends do when it comes to things like office Xmas parties, complaining about the boss, getting excited that it's the weekend, experiencing the monday blues, getting excited that you get paid tomorrow, friday post-work drinks etc.. etc..

this.

lol'ed

Ya, there's other ways to fill the void then getting a job. Volunteer is a great suggestion. Join a club, compete in rec sports etc

GF is not enough. Social interaction is not just another person. It's lots of other people.

Play Disc Golf

I sympathize with your situation because winters get this way for me as well and I think most pro grinders all get that "wtf am I doing with my life" feeling from time to time but when you are "locked in a vacancy" isht can get awful lonely / depressing at times.

Personally I have always been the type who enjoys / needs allot of alone time so internetzpokerz works well for me in that regard but at the same time it 100% can and does get lonely / miserable from time to time. Especially when it's a Thursday night mid winter and I realize I haven't left the crib in 4 days and don't even know where those days went but again...Sorta par for the course in this gig.

I don't suggest Target at all (lol) but what you can do is volunteer as some suggested which will most likely get you feeling like you are doing something meaningful which will hopefully even out your situation and make you feel better.

Personally for this winter - I made plans with some friends to jus make sure we hook up 2-3 x a week for breakfast or dinner or a drink @ the end of the day. Just standard social activities that get you out of the house but the trick is to not bail when you "are not in the mood" because more often than not you might not be. Gotta do it.

And yea I'm not sure if filling your time is the issue but yea...THis helps HEAPS.

If you live in the bay area jus go for walks / hit up a beach etc etc...Just force urself to get out imo.

Why would you ask this question in nvg? It's like asking questions about god in an atheist forum.

get a ****ing life

Socializing after college is highly overrated. Most people you will meet will either leave you totally indifferent, dissapoint, hurt or use you. Only force yourself to be in large groups of people for two reasons: to find a good friend who you can count on when you need help or advice and a decent woman to share your life with.

With these goals accomplished you will only have to face these situations again on holidays and on his or her birthday but hopefully you'll be drunk enough to handle the cliches, small talk and idiotic gossip.

And if you get bored or want to meet new people do one of these four things: exersize, read a book, travel to a place without cell coverage, or get a pet from an animal shelter. Each one of these experiences is more rewarding.

imo atheists know a lot more about god than average religious people but whatever..

tldr

the world sucks, so i don't mind being cut off from it. its a feature imo.

Get a dog.

Get a part-time bartending job. Join a gym. Buff up. Ladies and barflies. Boom.

lie on your cv, it's standard these days, say you worked abroad for X years and make a fake reference letter if you must

I was also feeling unfulfilled, about 6 months ago, and asked if I could do some voluntary work at a local charity shop. I found it very rewarding.

However, on the second day, I woke up with a hangover and couldn't be bothered to go in. I phoned them up and told them they could stick their job and that there was little point in cancer research, as the global population was already out of control and the big C helped thin the herd.

I came 2nd in a $10 freezout that day, despite coming to the final table as the shortstack, and felt that my game had benefited from the hiatus.