If it wasn't so difficult to move out of my parents house, I would. But the cost of renting and purchasing homes is unbelievable. I make $20/hr and that's on the slightly higher end for hourly pay. After taxes, I would barely even have enough for basic necessities after paying rent. Even the expenses of moving to a state with a lower cost of living would be more than I can spare.
If it wasn't so difficult to like my job, I would. But my wage is not enough to live and not equivalent to the work that I do. I work in emergency veterinary medicine and get paid $20/hr to do all the things human nurses (+/- $60/hr) do but for pets instead of people. I comfort owners who are saying goodbye to their loved ones. I am yelled at by owners who don't want to pay for their loved ones. I am constantly surrounded by sick, old, or dying animals. I am subjected to horrible working conditions which are standard for the entirety of the veterinary field. All for $20/hr and no recognition from my company or the general public. I tried so hard to love this job… to be able to believe that seeing pets go home healthy and happy is the only reward I need. But I'm burnt out, overworked, and underpaid. I hate that I hate my job.
If it wasn't so difficult to switch careers, I would. But every “entry-level” position requires two years experience, a related degree, and/or a portfolio. If you don't have these things, you can apply but probably wont be a good candidate since you lack x, y, z, and haven't sold your soul to the fucking devil.
If it wasn't so difficult to get an education, I would. But me and hundreds of others either cannot afford it or are incompatible with the standardized structure of school. I got a degree in biology with plans of going to veterinary school… until my dreams were shattered by the reality of vetmed. Now, my degree is useless and that money is wasted. I'd go back to school if I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg to get a degree in a more versatile subject. That would at least make switching careers possible. Even “self-learning” requires investment.
If it wasn't so difficult to realize my dreams, I would. But we are forced to figure out what we want to do in less than 1/20th of the time we are alive on this Earth. American education does not do enough to prepare young kids to make such a life-altering decision. Often, you have to figure it out in your senior year of high school and then, if you go to college, only have four years to solidify that career choice. After that, changing your mind essentially means you've wasted years of your life and years of your money. And then you have to invest even more of your time, money, and energy.
If it wasn't so damn difficult to believe in our system, I would.
If it wasn't so damn difficult to function, I would.
If it wasn't so damn difficult to be happy, I would.
And this list goes on.