The Myth of the Dream Job
We’ve been sold a bill of goods: that our jobs should be our passions, that we should love every minute of our work, and that anything less is settling. But let’s get real – most of us are not passionate about our jobs 100% of the time. In fact, many of us are just trying to make ends meet.
The Pressure to Follow Your Passion
This notion that we must love our jobs is a relatively new phenomenon. Our ancestors didn’t have the luxury of pursuing their passions as a career; they worked to survive. They had jobs, not careers, and their passions were pursued outside of work hours. But now, we’re expected to merge our passions with our 9-to-5, and if we can’t, we’re somehow failing.
The Reality of Having a Job
Having a job that pays the bills is not settling; it’s a necessity. And it’s okay if your job doesn’t fulfill your soul or make your heart sing. You can still be an artist, entrepreneur, or innovator with a day job. Your passion doesn’t have to be your career; it can simply be something that brings you joy.
Separating Passion from Career
Maybe our passions don’t need to be tied to our income. Maybe they’re meant to be enjoyed simply because we love them. By forcing our passions to become our careers, we may be losing the joy and freedom that comes with pursuing them for their own sake.
Finding Fulfillment
I want to spend less time worrying about whether my job lives up to society’s standards and more time doing the things that make me happy outside of work. I want to hike, read, volunteer, and make art without feeling guilty or pressured to monetize it. You can have both a job and passions; you should have both. That’s what makes for a fulfilling life.
Cutting Ourselves Some Slack
Let’s take the pressure off and stop feeling guilty about our jobs. Your job is your own, your passion is your own, and your life is your own. You get to decide what they look like and what works best for you. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re doing it wrong.
Leave a Reply