7.18.22 // Work

Work.
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It has come to my attention (several times, but I've been trying to ignore it) that people around me (even people close to me) want to know what I do for work, or rather than asking, assuming that... I don't work.
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Work is a deeply sensitive subject for me. Why?
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Because for YEARS my entire identity was WORK. I didn't know who I was outside of a "brand manager" a "government relations associate" or a "strategist." If someone asked who I was, I would answer with my job title and immediately default to telling the story of the company I poured my life into. I knew I liked the outdoors, but all of "me" existed between slack messages and consistent worry that I wasn't doing enough for my JOB.
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I am so much more than what I do for work. And I'm so deeply sorry if you don't see that. It's something I'm inundated with when I'm in North America- the need to be understood by understanding how you make money.
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What I want to know is how you spend your time WITHOUT there being a monetary gain. How will you spend the MOST precious value you have (time- you can NEVER get that back) if no one is watching and your gain is only sweet soul fulfilling joy?
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For me, that is not a "job" at least not one that I've had the privilege of having (yet).
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But for those who NEED to know about my job, I work freelance doing brand, marketing, and strategy work**. After years in Silicon Valley, I've had the privilege to build out a network of individuals who are happy to work on contract proposals with me. I don't work 40 hours a week, I don't need to be in one specific location for work.
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All of this could change and could change quickly. But for right now, this works for me.
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And that's the thing, IT WORKS FOR ME. I don't work for it.
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** I also acknowledge this is a HUGE privilege, from my education to my opportunities, none are without privilege.