“Honestly I just fell into it. I started as an engineering major. Then one night I was slaving over my physics homework, while my roommate sipped tea on the couch and read a novel. So I decided to be an English major like her. Ten years later I’m working as a copywriter at an advertising agency. You know that feeling when you’re pulling into the driveway, but you can’t remember anything about your ride home? That’s a bit how it feels. Like I blinked and I’m eight years down a career path that I just sort of fell into. There’s plenty to be grateful for. It’s a good enough job. I’m not living paycheck to paycheck. I can afford to have fun and take vacations. But my job is not my passion. And every story you see elevated on social media is: ‘I loved this thing. It became my passion. And then it became my career.’ There’s not many people saying: ‘My job isn’t my passion, but I love mountain biking on the weekends. And that’s enough for me.’ I think the feeling I’m trying to resolve is a sense of ‘enoughness.’ There’s so much I love about my life, but I spend most of my time at work. Is it OK to get my joy outside of work? Or does my passion need to be tied to my livelihood and a sense of responsibility?”
(Toronto, Canada)
