posted on December 15, 2000 03:58:14 AM new
As the year winds down, I am taking some time to reflect......After 1 1/2 years of selling on Ebay after closing down a tiny chain of brick&mortar stores, I have to say, I feel more than anything BORED and somewhat Disinterested. (maybe I just need a vacation?)
I am happy with alot of aspects of selling full-time online. Of course the demands on my time are much less, and the overhead is miniscule in comparison to what the stores were. I also enjoy the technical aspects of working on my listings, website, ect. Like I said this is now my full-time work and my husband's. We stay home together, I do the listing and correspondence, he takes care off all of the packing and shipping. No problems there, we have worked together for 10 years and we still like it and each other.
We list and sell about 150-200 items a week on the Bay and then some outside sales and whatever orders pop up on our website. We are not getting rich, but we are making a simple living. While all this keeps us busy, I have done a really good job bringing my time down to the minimum. I really would probably only have to devote 1-2 hrs a day to working, but find myself sitting in front of the computer prob 3 times that much, because I think I should be "working".
I guess what I miss most is people. In my b/m stores there was of course constant interaction all day long that can't be made up by emails...and where I currently live, My husband and I are the only people we know that work at home. I have searched for similar people to network with and have found none.
In my personal life, I feel caught between working moms and stay-at-home moms who either don't understand what I do or think I've "got it so good".
I am not trying to whine or complain here, I like what I am doing and want to continue. I am just wondering what some other of you "full-time-onliners" are doing out there, who you have found to network with, what else you are doing to add to selling on-line or just to your life in general, how do you keep from being lonely w/o daily interaction, and what is everyone doing to combat the DOLDRUMS?
Thank as usual for listening and for any advise!
Amy
posted on December 15, 2000 05:33:24 AM new
AmyM123: "working moms and stay-at-home moms" ???
While my children were in school (through high school) I was one of those "working moms...a stay-at-home, and not get paid for it, working mom!" I found plenty to do when they were in school. I was the girl scout leader(10 years), cub scout leader (all I was allowed) and then an assistant to the BS leader. There was alot of interaction between other parents and the teachers at school because I volunteered there at least once a week. The problem was finding time for myself, not how to fill the time available!! Another problem was not listening to fools like my mother-in-law (a professor/editor) asking when I was going to get a "REAL PAYING JOB".
My children are in college now, and I find that working at home COULD be lonely. But, I volunteer for both church and charity projects sometimes. As a genealogist, I find myself constantly helping Newbies on the Rootsweb lists. I only wish I had more time to work on my own genealogy research, living close to Washington DC I do not take full advantage of our resources.
I can think of alot of ways to interact with
others...but volunteering with other adults comes to mind most often. One can help at a homeless shelter, hold preemies in the hospital or be a grandma reader at an elementary (even if you aren't a granny. One can join a local genealogy/other society, or a women's business or professional group. All those bring interaction with other adults and could be a welcome break from photographing, packing and writing auctions.
LabRat
Edited to add: "Working-for-Pay" women and "stay-at-home, working for no-pay" women have to pull together now. We are going to need it. A school friend of Ex-Gov. Bush stated that he would come to visit him, and bring his laundry for his wife to do. It could mean that Bush just isn't smart enough to do his own laundry or that women will be in big trouble in the Bush dynasty administration. I think its time to find some woman's political groups to join, we are going to need it...whatever your political beliefs! Then again, one can always join the tea parties that will be taking place at the White House...alot of them, I expect!
[ edited by labrat4gmos on Dec 15, 2000 06:00 AM ]
posted on December 15, 2000 05:54:55 AM new
AmyM123
You are probably just tired - everyone who does this very long, full time, normally goes through "burn out" from time to time - We stop our postings on about the 11th of December, but naturally orders continue for a week or so after that, and more and more I have dreaded getting the e-mail as I really don't want to see another order till after Christmas.....
Like yourself we have a large web site, and there is no way to stop those orders, but at least they aren’t piled on top of auction orders from 2 or 3 different sites.
Do I want to quit - No - but I just need a break - I know it - and if the orders would stop, I'll get one.
I do look forward to have the time to create new ads, work on better ads, photograph new product, but to do all of this with no pressure, and no orders to fill.
It will pass - yours will too - I do good to last a couple of weeks of being off line before I'm rearing to go, and can't wait to get back up and in the game again.
posted on December 15, 2000 06:28:48 AM new
AmyM123- I know exactaly what you are talking about. I am the same way right now. I'm a stay at home mom with all three kids in school. Its not that I don't have plenty to do, just don't want to do it. I quit my full time job 2 years ago. I was asked a month ago to come back, and thought about because I do miss the interacting with people during the day, but guess I didn't miss it enough because I didn't go back. It's not that I don't have plenty to do. I coach my youngest childs basketball team, have daily housework to take care of, and at the moment am helping with my grandmother who had a bad fall and surgery a few days ago. So it's not that there isn't plenty to do to keep me busy, I just don't want to do it.
I too find myself sitting at the computer for longer than I should and instead of listing I come here lurking. Although I am lucky that I have to good friends that also stay at home and do ebay, and we visit often.
I agree with jwpc that maybe it is just a bit of burn-out you are having and that it will pass. I think mine has to do with how busy it is this time of the year.
Hang in there and while reflecting try and come up with some new ideas.
Have A Wonderful Holdiay Season!
posted on December 15, 2000 07:59:52 AM new
Thanks everyone for your comments......
labrat: Yes volunteering is a great idea, good way to get me interacting with some real live people again....
jw & cajun: yes, I think it is a bit of burn-out and I just need a small break......
I didn't mean to convey that I have nothing to do, I meant that I am some-what bored and tired of the same old photo-editing-writing-listing-selling-relisting routine and most of all, I guess I am a bit lonely.
And I certainly didn't mean to make ANY distinction between working moms and stay-at-home moms as both work too hard and I respect all women no matter what their choice. Moreso, I meant that I usually don't feel like I fit in with either catagory and wish I had more friends and people to know that do something similar to what I do.
I would like to stop for the rest of the year, but with Free Listing Day coming up, I don't think I will be able to....maybe right after that I will for a few days.
I really expected someone to say "If you have more time, LIST MORE!" Ha!
posted on December 15, 2000 08:33:15 AM new
You might try expanding the type of items you are offering into a new area. Do you have something that you have wanted to do such as take an art class or write a book that you never had time to do? Could you use some of the time to increase your exercise to help maintain your health? If you are kind of "down" and do not feel it is serious enough to see your doctor perhaps you could try a little St. John's Wort. I get periodic mild depression and it helps me. You did sound a little depressed in your post.
posted on December 15, 2000 12:06:49 PM new
Unless you hire outside help, there is no ability to "delegate" when you are running my own business. Part of my work time, for example, is spent in routine activities that even a 3 year old could do (such as licking stamps) and yet other activities require skill and intelligence.
A lot of boredom (I think) develops of having to do the same routine mindless activities day after day after day after day.
Take a good look at what you do that is boring and think if there is any way you can eliminate or reduce the time spent on the activity. For example, when I first started out selling paper items on eBay, I used to measure and cut pieces of cardboard for use as stiffeners when mailing paper items. It was very time-consuming and boring. After 6 months, I had had enough. I started buying photo-mailers and covered the cost by raising the shipping fee I charged. Packaging is now quick and easy.
If you can free up some of the time spent on boring activities, you can use that time instead for more challenging activities such as investigating new product lines or in fun non-business activities.
And yes, a break now and then is a must. I've always come back feeling invigorated.
posted on December 15, 2000 01:21:52 PM new
"amym123" - I can relate.....I live in the country, so even in the summer, I don't see many people. Winter's are really "lonely" times anyways, so being "stuck" inside, doesn't add to anyones mental health!
How do you take a break when you're inside and the computer is beckoning you all the time?
Let's face it, eBay isn't something you can do for 2 hours then stop for the day....it's really a 24 hour job, so you have to make some quality time for yourself in between, or you'll end up feeling the way you do now....like there's no spark there.
It does come back, but you have to find a diversion to keep your sanity. Just like anything, really.
In a way, being bored is good. Without that feeling, it wouldn't make us try different things to avoid feeling like that.
I bet you're just like everyone else right now.....too much snow, laughable bank account, Christmas......it's a hard month for everone.
Try reading a good book. Even something from your childhood...Dickens, etc.,....something you can read fairly quickly. It always works for me.
posted on December 15, 2000 06:36:03 PM new
Amy,
I understand completely what you are saying. I was a teacher, but this fall and winter I began selling full-time. I also miss the people, but I try and think about my "new" people. The post office people know me by name and ask about my children. I chat every weekend with the same "regulars" in the estate sale lines. I also try to have CNN on when I'm packing or taking photos, it seems more like I'm interacting with the world, than mindless TV or music, talk radio is also good. I would also recommend a break, I'm taking one right now till after Christmas, and I can't wait to start listing again.
Pam
posted on December 15, 2000 07:27:24 PM new
AmyM123: I think a lot of it is needing a break now and again. But I know exactly what you mean about the lack of daily interaction with others. I went from working in an office full of people to working at home with just a dog (and believe me, as much as I try to train her, she just isn't a good conversationalist!). I visit my parents 2-3 times/week for a couple hours, that helps. I also have a small booth at a local antique/collectibles mall. I visit it at least once/week, sometimes twice...it not only gets me away from the PC, it gets me in tune with what people are buying/looking for. You may want to scout around to find a small place...it's a lot of work (tagging mdse, hauling it to the booth, etc.), but it does break up the monotony (sp?) of selling online. Of course, if the mdse you handle doesn't lend itself to a booth in a mall...??
Mostly, just take a deep breath and enjoy the holidays!
posted on December 15, 2000 07:39:16 PM new
Yeah, I am bored.
I started going to the gym where the focus is not only not on auctions, but 180 degrees away from sitting in front of a computer in general.
It has been about 6 months now.
I go 3 X a week and it is slowly reformatting me in every way imaginable, some of which I don't even completely fathom yet.
posted on December 15, 2000 10:50:34 PM new
I had an Antique Store for 20 yrs, My hunband and I and we closed it because business was not as good as it should be.
So now I am full time at home on the compu.
and I find I have less time now then when I went to my shop. I don't have a routine anymore like before that was when everything got done. I was on the compu then also, in my store and at night at home after dinner.
Now, I feel when I am not on the compu I am not doing my share of making income. We are finding it a little hard. I can say honestly, I don't miss seeing all the people like I use to I feel like you do also, but it's not from being bored because there is too much that doesn't get done, it's like you said, You just don't feel like doing some things.
The times that I take a break from the compu is when my children come to see me inbetween there busy days, and when they leave I feel I am behind in my work, sounds crazy but I
I am under a lot of presure to keep the money coming in. I am on the compu until 3:00am from 9:00 in the morning. I do stop to make dinner, but I really don't want to stop. I don't know what you sell on Ebay, but what I sell I can never get enough of the right merchandice, and then I really go crazy.
I even do my food shopping on the internet and they deliver it to my home.
I did all my Christmas Shopping on the internet also, I think the problem you are having is you like to be around people now and then. I feel very content to stay home and see my children when they come and other family members They come over too often but I don't tell them that, it's just that it keeps me from my work.
I think that when you feel like you say you do, you should find something totaly different to do for a while, something that you feel excited about doing, what ever it is it will help you to feel better.
Enjoy the holidays, they pass so quickly.
posted on December 16, 2000 06:14:06 AM new
Currently mentoring at second grade class in very poor area of town. Spend at least one hour with different child each week. Will take Christmas gifts to the kids next week and attend their Christmas party. Thirty six in one class due to limited space.
Also doing volunteer work as Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children. This is a national program that needs volunteers. Very rewarding. You act as child's voice in court.
posted on December 16, 2000 06:57:22 AM new
I always found that getting away for a few days helped. It doesn't have to be expensive, just different. Doing anything that has no connection with your work helps.
posted on December 16, 2000 07:44:47 AM new
Amy, I've been wondering why I'm losing my passion for flea markets and antique stores. Used to be that I couldn't WAIT for the weekend so we could head out on our search for treasures. Our motto was "There's Treasure Everywhere" (from the Calvin & Hobbes book). But lately I just can't get into it. I think the high prices might be a part of it. Ever since eBay, all the antique store and flea market merchants are asking higher prices. But I still love my eBay! BUYING, that is. I gave up selling.
posted on December 16, 2000 02:10:59 PM new
Amy - some people need to interact with humans face to face. You just sound a little lonely without the people interaction. I think you need to get away from the computer and see some people.
I'm just the opposite. If I never have to see or speak to people it's fine with me. I love email and answering machines lol. I also love eBay for the same reasons. I can work on my own and when I want to. Once in awhile I get overwhelmed and then tell myself hey lady you're doing what you've always wanted to do and you don't have to put up with co-workers.
I'm only lonely if I don't have animals around. We're all different.
posted on December 16, 2000 05:10:34 PM new
I enjoy listing an item that is large. I put within the auction a delivery route I am willing to go to deliver. Major Interstates, etc. I'm in the West so 4-6 states will work for me. I do charge a fee but it is nominal. Then I work all other auctions to end around this time frame.
I deliver the item and get a partial return on my mini vacation. I have done this generally every 6 months for the last year and a half.
It helps quite a bit.
I also pick up little treasures along the way whenever possible.
But I still love my eBay! BUYING, that is. I gave up selling.