Finding my "okay" job
I don't want to get too ahead of myself, but I think I found my "okay" job. Quite often my best friend and I talk about our goals and dreams. One big thing we always discuss is the lie that everyone needs to find their dream job. It's an ideal, not a reality for most people. Most people simply need a decent job to pay the bills. So many ways to achieve personal fulfillment exist outside of a career. Steph and I both agree that we just want an "okay" job that we don't hate, and that allows us to pursue happiness in other areas of our lives.
However, that's not what society sells. The unfortunate result is that many people I know feel like failures in their 20s and/or lack a feeling of satisfaction with their lives. I often fall victim to this struggle, wondering if my life reflects the failure to live up to my potential.
I earned my bachelor's degree in fine art, but since graduating in late 2014, I neglected to make any major projects or work toward a career in art. I studied Japanese for many years and even studied abroad, but my fluency level remains dismal. I began graduate school and withdrew after my first semester. My resume boasts a series of jobs in retail and food service. I admit I go through days feeling like a total loser.
However, I started a new job recently that produced a positive impact on my life. About one month ago I began working at a local animal shelter part time. I make better money than my previous job at a chain bookstore, I keep a regular schedule, and my customer service requirements are minimal. I pull 8+ hour shifts, but that means my work days are purely for work, and my days off are totally mine. My job is dirty, demanding, and emotionally and physically exhausting, but for the first time I know my sweat and tears contribute toward a cause bigger than myself.
It's not my perfect job. I feel grateful my spouse works incredibly hard so I can remain part time during this period of my life. I'm not certain I could handle the demands of my job at full time hours. Currently, my job status allows me another chance to pursue my artistic goals, spend quality time with my pets, keep the house in order, cook more often, and feel more emotionally balanced.
It is my "okay" job. It's not my dream, and it's hard work. However, my job provides me with an opportunity to earn money through my love of animals and achieve a better work/life balance. What else can I ask for? This chapter in my life won't last forever (as nothing does), so I plan to appreciate every enjoyable day right now and hope that I can continue to strive for balance and contentment, rather than the achievement of imaginary benchmarks pushed by society.
If you're like me, sitting at a crossroads, unsure of what you're doing with your life, don't come down too hard on yourself. I can speak from experience that you will feel greater regret about the time you spend hating yourself and comparing yourself to others than not having a career by a certain age. You possess an inherent value and worth that bears no correlation to your job, education, etc. or lack thereof. Do what you need to do to live your best life. This is a reminder to myself as well, since I, like everyone else, am a work in progress.
Kate
However, that's not what society sells. The unfortunate result is that many people I know feel like failures in their 20s and/or lack a feeling of satisfaction with their lives. I often fall victim to this struggle, wondering if my life reflects the failure to live up to my potential.
I earned my bachelor's degree in fine art, but since graduating in late 2014, I neglected to make any major projects or work toward a career in art. I studied Japanese for many years and even studied abroad, but my fluency level remains dismal. I began graduate school and withdrew after my first semester. My resume boasts a series of jobs in retail and food service. I admit I go through days feeling like a total loser.
However, I started a new job recently that produced a positive impact on my life. About one month ago I began working at a local animal shelter part time. I make better money than my previous job at a chain bookstore, I keep a regular schedule, and my customer service requirements are minimal. I pull 8+ hour shifts, but that means my work days are purely for work, and my days off are totally mine. My job is dirty, demanding, and emotionally and physically exhausting, but for the first time I know my sweat and tears contribute toward a cause bigger than myself.
It's not my perfect job. I feel grateful my spouse works incredibly hard so I can remain part time during this period of my life. I'm not certain I could handle the demands of my job at full time hours. Currently, my job status allows me another chance to pursue my artistic goals, spend quality time with my pets, keep the house in order, cook more often, and feel more emotionally balanced.
It is my "okay" job. It's not my dream, and it's hard work. However, my job provides me with an opportunity to earn money through my love of animals and achieve a better work/life balance. What else can I ask for? This chapter in my life won't last forever (as nothing does), so I plan to appreciate every enjoyable day right now and hope that I can continue to strive for balance and contentment, rather than the achievement of imaginary benchmarks pushed by society.
If you're like me, sitting at a crossroads, unsure of what you're doing with your life, don't come down too hard on yourself. I can speak from experience that you will feel greater regret about the time you spend hating yourself and comparing yourself to others than not having a career by a certain age. You possess an inherent value and worth that bears no correlation to your job, education, etc. or lack thereof. Do what you need to do to live your best life. This is a reminder to myself as well, since I, like everyone else, am a work in progress.
Kate
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