Your Work Might Look Different Than Mine, But…

I recently had a conversation with a friend, we briefly chatted about how our time is spent during our children’s “teacher only, no school day”. After discussing the time I spent with my daughter during her day off, this fellow Father had this to say to me, “You can do that because you don’t work”. Perhaps he noticed my look of disdain upon processing his words. He then attempted to clarify by stating, “Well, you don’t have multiple jobs”. Now, before I proceed, I’d like to mention that I don’t see a villain or hero in this conversation, but I would like to point out my growing concern and annoyance.

I’ll start by asking you, does this conversation ring a bell for you, particularly all of those stay-at-home parents and/or artists, solo entrepreneurs out there? This man certainly wasn’t the first and will not be the last to say these words to me or to imply that I don’t have a “job”. I will say that I also do not have insights into all of his many “jobs” and the important work that he is doing every day. But to that, I’d like to give him my respect, admit to my ignorance and say to him “Tell me more”.

But for now, I’d like to have a conversation with you around what it means to you and to our society to “work” or to have “a job”. I’ll start:
I am challenged by history that accompany me everywhere I go. It takes shape as bouts of low self-esteem and low self-worth. Depression and anxiety knock on my door often, sometimes distant and sometimes like a siren in my ear. I’m “working” on all of this every day. I “work” through my history and beliefs daily by creating. I soul-search and the nectar of my discoveries are put into words, photographs, paintings…art. I “work” from my heart every single day.

My “job” has a name, it is “artist”. I share my “work” to bring beauty, understanding, belonging, comfort and inspiration to anyone who comes across my art. My job literally is vulnerability. My work is tender, and is often scary, painful and awkward. My work may not pay all the bills, but the value of my job is that BECAUSE of it, I am able to offer a core of light and an unconditional, albeit imperfect, embrace for my family.

If it weren’t for the “work” I’m doing, I would absolutely not be able to provide the nurturing and understanding for my family as I am called to every day. My “work” is first for my healing and well-being, so that I may provide love and light for my family and in my dreams, so that I may inspire and offer comfort and nurturing for others.

Now, your turn. Comment YES or 💯 if you can relate to the moment I’ve described. Maybe take your comment a bit further, what is your “job”, what do you do for “work”. Do you draw a line to delineate what constitutes someone who “works” and someone who “does not work”?