I think we could start a new club here -- the forever workers! I simply find life without work a tad UNbalanced. I had a couple years when my husband was being transferred around a lot that I didn't do a lot of my own work, and while it was fun for about 15 minutes, I found myself actually going into depression. I also have family, dear friends and hobbies that I love, but there is something about work that gives my life a structure and a purpose in a different way than other areas.
I think, though, that there's a difference between "work" and "just a job." I can think of a hundred jobs that I might do if I needed a job that I wouldn't want to do forever. I think that finding work you love is a blessing in itself and once you experience it, you want to keep that feeling as part of your life as long as you can.
People who have never had a chance to take some time off probably think I'm nuts. We all have projects that we think we would spend our time doing, things we have meant to get to but just haven't had the time for. We all have photo albums that need finishing and exercise that needs doing and cupboards that need cleaning out, and letters to be written and books to be read and all manner of things we've set aside "for when there's time." The truth is, when you do get the time, somehow those things don't seem as important all on their own. They were always meant to be the things we filled our spare time with, they weren't meant to be our full-time work.
I also have an issue with ADD. I thrive when my time is somewhat structured, with enough give in it for creativity. But I don't thrive if things have so much give that they slip all over the place. There is something about answering to an external source -- a deadline, a workplace, a project done with others -- that makes a better framework for a productive life. At least for me.
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I think we could start a new club here -- the forever workers! I simply find life without work a tad UNbalanced. I had a couple years when my husband was being transferred around a lot that I didn't do a lot of my own work, and while it was fun for about 15 minutes, I found myself actually going into depression. I also have family, dear friends and hobbies that I love, but there is something about work that gives my life a structure and a purpose in a different way than other areas.
I think, though, that there's a difference between "work" and "just a job." I can think of a hundred jobs that I might do if I needed a job that I wouldn't want to do forever. I think that finding work you love is a blessing in itself and once you experience it, you want to keep that feeling as part of your life as long as you can.
People who have never had a chance to take some time off probably think I'm nuts. We all have projects that we think we would spend our time doing, things we have meant to get to but just haven't had the time for. We all have photo albums that need finishing and exercise that needs doing and cupboards that need cleaning out, and letters to be written and books to be read and all manner of things we've set aside "for when there's time." The truth is, when you do get the time, somehow those things don't seem as important all on their own. They were always meant to be the things we filled our spare time with, they weren't meant to be our full-time work.
I also have an issue with ADD. I thrive when my time is somewhat structured, with enough give in it for creativity. But I don't thrive if things have so much give that they slip all over the place. There is something about answering to an external source -- a deadline, a workplace, a project done with others -- that makes a better framework for a productive life. At least for me.
November 27, 2008 - 6:27pmThis Comment
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