I live in an urban area. I’ve changed careers several times in my life and generally like what I do now. When I tell people what I actually do, I get a ton of bad jokes or very long stories I don’t want to listen to out of their pigeon holing or assumptions about my job. So I began telling people that I take care of the school chickens. Zero questions. Love it!
Wait a minute. If I met you and you told me you take care of the school chickens, I’d have a BUNCH of questions. One of them would be “Can I come help?” But I’m glad this method is working for you!
Yes lol! I ran into one person who loved chickens and had a great conversation with her! It definitely tells me something about a person’s curiosity level or lack thereof.
I've been there, when you don't know if you'd rather go to work or run into traffice. The key is to at least do something that doesn't eat your soul.
Remember around 10 years ago when that male flight attendant had enough after a 20+ year career - the plane landed, a traveler was being an asshole, he cursed out the whole plane, deployed the emergency slide, grabbed a Bud Lite and he was OUT. Best quit ever.
Adore this! It’s a privileged position to be in when you can say - this job / career doesn’t align with my soul, but god damn it feels real! Working in a soul destroying job year after year starts to feel like a vice that gets tighter and tighter until you say NO MORE! I’m here for it 👏
I abhor the "What do you do?" question for all the reasons outlined in this post. It's a terrible kind of shorthand used to put people in boxes based on stereotypes that have nothing to do with who someone really is, in their heart. I'd rather ask/answer questions like, "What do you love?" or "What're you reading/watching?" or "What are you excited about right now?" Or - my all-time favorite: "Can I pet your dog?" 😉 💜 🐶
Exactly! That stuff is so much more interesting and tells you so much more about who a person is. “Can I pet your dog?” is, of course, the best of the bunch!
I know very few who recognize that all of us are under the “terminal” label. Every life terminates, some sooner than others. Why postpone what you really want to do since you do not have an extended warranty? There are myriads of reasons that people use to avoid scary changes. I wrote a piece not too long ago “Stepping into the unknown” that might shed a little light.
I HATE that Q. I find the follow up fascinating - a live stream of someone doing the mental arithmetic to work out your identity, how to judge you and what box to put you on. Excellent take, as per!
Thanks, Una! You’re so right about the live stream—you can see it in their eyes and micro facial movements. It IS fascinating. But ridiculous at the same time.
The spiritual version of Billy Jack’s research is that one must achieve his purpose here before departing.
Hubby is going thru this having worked 35 years, 60 hours per week. He’s starting a consulting biz now. Much better work/life balance. It’s like that old cliche— the guy on his death bed didn’t say, I should have spent more time at the office.
Sounds like you might be questioning your work/life balance?
I hadn’t thought of that spiritual take but I love it. It makes a lot of sense. I hope Jeffrey’s transition is a smooth and restorative one. And yes, I’m definitely questioning a number of things on the career front. I’m sure I’ll be writing about it more specifically at some point when it can’t be held against me 😁
What do I do? I read Stantonland every week. I read a lot in general. I write…that’s a joy spot. I make art and love design. I socialize with fabulous Substackians. I am definitely sorting things as far as work I want to do vs. work I no longer care to do.
I think being a taster in an ice cream factory would be right up my alley. Thanks for that inspiration! xo
Well, as long as you read Stantonland every week you’re ahead of the game 😉. Seriously, I hope Style Your Stack takes off and becomes huge. You’re great at it, and I know you enjoy doing it.
And maybe we can work next to each other at the ice cream factory.
I want Style Your Stack to do well, but I’m much more committed heart wise to The Next Write Thing. I love meeting all the writers who are working with me at SYS, and I’m thrilled to have identified the thing I can do professionally here in Substackvania that make it possible for me to be on the platform full time. Transitioning away from standard web design business is my hopefully sooner than later goal! xo
OMG, there you go pissing off the AI's again! But I think even Alexa would love this one. I am 100% behind answering the "What do you do?" question the way you have. (Also our answers are very similar. Just add "Watch Housewives knock over chairs and throw wine glasses and then talk to my best friend about them for hours" and we're basically twins.
Alexa would like it because I’m insulting Siri. While you’re watching the Housewives, I’ll be watching people investigating UFOs and paranormal phenomenon. Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a crossover between our interests and one of the Housewives got abducted?
I live in an urban area. I’ve changed careers several times in my life and generally like what I do now. When I tell people what I actually do, I get a ton of bad jokes or very long stories I don’t want to listen to out of their pigeon holing or assumptions about my job. So I began telling people that I take care of the school chickens. Zero questions. Love it!
Wait a minute. If I met you and you told me you take care of the school chickens, I’d have a BUNCH of questions. One of them would be “Can I come help?” But I’m glad this method is working for you!
Yes lol! I ran into one person who loved chickens and had a great conversation with her! It definitely tells me something about a person’s curiosity level or lack thereof.
Omg: “Using all that extra time to drink wine and ‘storm the Bastille,’ if you know what I mean.” 😂😂😂
Haha I’m glad you liked that one!
Somewhat depressing but these are the issues that don’t really go away!
So true!
I've been there, when you don't know if you'd rather go to work or run into traffice. The key is to at least do something that doesn't eat your soul.
Remember around 10 years ago when that male flight attendant had enough after a 20+ year career - the plane landed, a traveler was being an asshole, he cursed out the whole plane, deployed the emergency slide, grabbed a Bud Lite and he was OUT. Best quit ever.
I’d completely forgotten about that guy! Now THAT was quitting in spectacular style. We need more of that kind of thing.
Adore this! It’s a privileged position to be in when you can say - this job / career doesn’t align with my soul, but god damn it feels real! Working in a soul destroying job year after year starts to feel like a vice that gets tighter and tighter until you say NO MORE! I’m here for it 👏
Thanks, Sara! You nailed it—it really does start to feel like an ever-tightening vice. Eventually, things are going to pop.
I abhor the "What do you do?" question for all the reasons outlined in this post. It's a terrible kind of shorthand used to put people in boxes based on stereotypes that have nothing to do with who someone really is, in their heart. I'd rather ask/answer questions like, "What do you love?" or "What're you reading/watching?" or "What are you excited about right now?" Or - my all-time favorite: "Can I pet your dog?" 😉 💜 🐶
Exactly! That stuff is so much more interesting and tells you so much more about who a person is. “Can I pet your dog?” is, of course, the best of the bunch!
Chris, this is the energy of the moment (helped by the hurricanes): giving zero Fs about the stuff that’s unimportant.
Thank you, Kelsey! I love the way you put that.
You had me at Billy Jack!
😂
I know very few who recognize that all of us are under the “terminal” label. Every life terminates, some sooner than others. Why postpone what you really want to do since you do not have an extended warranty? There are myriads of reasons that people use to avoid scary changes. I wrote a piece not too long ago “Stepping into the unknown” that might shed a little light.
That’s such a great point, Gary. I’m disappointed in myself for not thinking of it.
I HATE that Q. I find the follow up fascinating - a live stream of someone doing the mental arithmetic to work out your identity, how to judge you and what box to put you on. Excellent take, as per!
Thanks, Una! You’re so right about the live stream—you can see it in their eyes and micro facial movements. It IS fascinating. But ridiculous at the same time.
The spiritual version of Billy Jack’s research is that one must achieve his purpose here before departing.
Hubby is going thru this having worked 35 years, 60 hours per week. He’s starting a consulting biz now. Much better work/life balance. It’s like that old cliche— the guy on his death bed didn’t say, I should have spent more time at the office.
Sounds like you might be questioning your work/life balance?
I hadn’t thought of that spiritual take but I love it. It makes a lot of sense. I hope Jeffrey’s transition is a smooth and restorative one. And yes, I’m definitely questioning a number of things on the career front. I’m sure I’ll be writing about it more specifically at some point when it can’t be held against me 😁
What do I do? I read Stantonland every week. I read a lot in general. I write…that’s a joy spot. I make art and love design. I socialize with fabulous Substackians. I am definitely sorting things as far as work I want to do vs. work I no longer care to do.
I think being a taster in an ice cream factory would be right up my alley. Thanks for that inspiration! xo
Well, as long as you read Stantonland every week you’re ahead of the game 😉. Seriously, I hope Style Your Stack takes off and becomes huge. You’re great at it, and I know you enjoy doing it.
And maybe we can work next to each other at the ice cream factory.
I want Style Your Stack to do well, but I’m much more committed heart wise to The Next Write Thing. I love meeting all the writers who are working with me at SYS, and I’m thrilled to have identified the thing I can do professionally here in Substackvania that make it possible for me to be on the platform full time. Transitioning away from standard web design business is my hopefully sooner than later goal! xo
That’s so awesome, Nan. It’s also inspiring. I’m happy for you.
What’s your favorite flavor, Chris?
Mint chocolate chip is my all time fave, but anything with peanut butter in it is going straight into my mouth too. What’s yours?
LOVE Mint chocolate chip and traditional chocolate soft serve. Also coffee and an occasional mango sorbet.
Now I REALLY want ice cream
& I rlly want mango sorbet!
Thank you. This feels like confirmation that leaving my job-job to be an artist full time was right.
That's awesome, Kate! Wishing you the best of luck!
Thanks, Chris! I love your humorous take on a serious subject. You are spot on!
Thank you, Cherie!
Really good, Chris. I'm sorry for taking a while to read. A whole lot of crazy travel going on! Just know you've now been read in Bulgaria!
No need for apologies, Amanda, I’m just grateful that you read it at all! Please give the Bulgarians my best. Safe travels!
OMG, there you go pissing off the AI's again! But I think even Alexa would love this one. I am 100% behind answering the "What do you do?" question the way you have. (Also our answers are very similar. Just add "Watch Housewives knock over chairs and throw wine glasses and then talk to my best friend about them for hours" and we're basically twins.
Alexa would like it because I’m insulting Siri. While you’re watching the Housewives, I’ll be watching people investigating UFOs and paranormal phenomenon. Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a crossover between our interests and one of the Housewives got abducted?