On finding the not-so-obvious thread that ties your strengths, needs and goals together (a.k.a. Why I'll never stop talking about being a barista 100 years ago).
I really appreciate what you said here. I can see the distinction between jobs and work. I'm a writer with a variety of part time pursuits and activism and it sometimes feels very hard to make that cohesive. I loved your structure for bringing everything together. Thank you.
Happy to see this, Rey. I’m not sure why it feels like we have to make our work cohesive? Maybe because it’s how others classify us. But if you let yourself be the natural connecting thread, I think it becomes easy to see how they all fit and how they’re all right.
Such a great question. Mine is something like, creating spaces where people can get to know themselves and bring ease to their systems and to the systems of the people and non-people around them. Sometimes I'm a minister running the temple, sometimes a psychotherapist, sometimes a Substack writer... Feel so lucky to have these different hats. Really looking forward to your book Dana & have just downloaded a sample of the one you suggested. Thank you for being here x
I really appreciate this post. My work life has been pretty eclectic, and it all makes sense TO ME, but not necessarily to other people. I decided to leave a long-held job recently to move cross-country and help with care taking for my elderly father, which leaves me with a pile of seemingly random skills, and the never-ending question of "do you have a job yet?" (My last day at that job was less than a week ago. Can a girl breathe?) I haven't decided what type of paid work to look for, but this post helps me conceptualize the types of skills I've collected, and how I might use them. Thank you so much.
Dana's revelation about Good work defines a different approach to work itself. I tend to think that work is something like a job, a necessity to have one. Different from career. Thank you for sharing, Dana.
Thank you, Melva! I like to put everything under the umbrella of "work" to account for unpaid work, too. I used to make a distinction between "job" and "career," but ideally it can fall under one umbrella, so you're always following your calling, however you occupy your time or earn income.
Oh my gosh, this resonated so deeply with me! Thank you for articulating the thoughts I’ve had for so long that I haven’t been able to gather into a straight line.
I loved this piece. As someone who has made it a career to explain atrociously difficult concepts to people in ways that help them move forward and make decisions...I get so hard that your work looks different on the outside...but is still the same on the inside.
These days I call it veterinary medicine through interpretive dance...I am up and down with animals and back and forth explaining what the heck is going on to the owner.
Does it look like my 10+ year regulatory career? Nope...except for the part where I did that by interpretive dance too.
Oh and...as someone who drinks decafe in the morning...sometimes the only place I can get a half cafe half decafe is Starbucks. They never roll their eyes at me and they always make it well.
I really appreciate what you said here. I can see the distinction between jobs and work. I'm a writer with a variety of part time pursuits and activism and it sometimes feels very hard to make that cohesive. I loved your structure for bringing everything together. Thank you.
Happy to see this, Rey. I’m not sure why it feels like we have to make our work cohesive? Maybe because it’s how others classify us. But if you let yourself be the natural connecting thread, I think it becomes easy to see how they all fit and how they’re all right.
Yes, that makes a lot of sense. Maybe we feel the need to explain ourselves to others too much? Thank you for sharing your insights.
Such a great question. Mine is something like, creating spaces where people can get to know themselves and bring ease to their systems and to the systems of the people and non-people around them. Sometimes I'm a minister running the temple, sometimes a psychotherapist, sometimes a Substack writer... Feel so lucky to have these different hats. Really looking forward to your book Dana & have just downloaded a sample of the one you suggested. Thank you for being here x
This sounds like a beautiful work 💖 Thank you :) And enjoy Free Time!
Yes, that's still a work in progress 😊
I really appreciate this post. My work life has been pretty eclectic, and it all makes sense TO ME, but not necessarily to other people. I decided to leave a long-held job recently to move cross-country and help with care taking for my elderly father, which leaves me with a pile of seemingly random skills, and the never-ending question of "do you have a job yet?" (My last day at that job was less than a week ago. Can a girl breathe?) I haven't decided what type of paid work to look for, but this post helps me conceptualize the types of skills I've collected, and how I might use them. Thank you so much.
That’s so wonderful to hear, Angelia. And, yes, please take time to breathe! Wish you the best in this next chapter 💖
Dana's revelation about Good work defines a different approach to work itself. I tend to think that work is something like a job, a necessity to have one. Different from career. Thank you for sharing, Dana.
Thank you, Melva! I like to put everything under the umbrella of "work" to account for unpaid work, too. I used to make a distinction between "job" and "career," but ideally it can fall under one umbrella, so you're always following your calling, however you occupy your time or earn income.
That's so true. I think, whatever jobs or works that we're involved in if it's aligned with our calling, will bring lots of contentment. .
Oh my gosh, this resonated so deeply with me! Thank you for articulating the thoughts I’ve had for so long that I haven’t been able to gather into a straight line.
So happy to hear — thanks for sharing this!
I loved this piece. As someone who has made it a career to explain atrociously difficult concepts to people in ways that help them move forward and make decisions...I get so hard that your work looks different on the outside...but is still the same on the inside.
These days I call it veterinary medicine through interpretive dance...I am up and down with animals and back and forth explaining what the heck is going on to the owner.
Does it look like my 10+ year regulatory career? Nope...except for the part where I did that by interpretive dance too.
Oh and...as someone who drinks decafe in the morning...sometimes the only place I can get a half cafe half decafe is Starbucks. They never roll their eyes at me and they always make it well.
“Atrociously difficult concepts” is amazing! I love that you see how your work ties together.