Actually an Artist

Daily writing prompt

List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.

View all responses

If money didn’t matter, there’s a whole host of things I’d want to pursue. I’m so lucky though that I have something I am passionate about, and it is making me money. But it’s not the only thing I want to do with my life, to be honest, as satisfying and growth-promoting as it is.

First of all, I don’t know if ‘job’ is the correct term for anything I’d choose to do if money were no object. Because of capitalism, I think we’re programmed to think in this way and mindlessly ask ‘what JOB would you do if you didn’t have to worry about money.’ Instead, I think a better question is simply ‘how would you structure your life if money were no object?’ That’s the actual question I’ll choose today.

1. Personal and community development. We are never ourselves “finished”, and I have a real interest in both self-development but also in building up others around me as well. To me, this could look like coaching, group leading/space holding, or community development volunteering.
2. Parenting. It takes a lot. I have two young kids. I love spending time with them, but I can’t be my best and do. all. the. things. Like worry about money and work and parenting and caregiving. We work part time each in order to be able to give that care and attention and trade off as needed. It would be great to have a little more free time all together.
3. Art! I would spend a lot more time making visual art, maybe even just practicing piano or organ. I miss making more music, but I really really don’t miss how the constant worry of practicing ‘enough’ was hanging over my head. I’m happier focusing on fewer things so that I can make the money needed to support my family and spend time with my family. Like I said, we can’t do all the things.
4. Go back to school! I am contemplating career paths over the next few decades and feeling like more training, formal schooling even, is in play. But how to afford it????? I do not want to go into more student debt. It’s a racket, and I’ve been permanently disabused of the notion that an investment in education is an investment in my future. Yes, I’m thankful for the experiences I had in college, I loved my college, but the expensive college was had and I’m still poor. I may have struggled just as much if I had gone overseas for free/near free education, but I would have learned just as much, maybe more, and at least I wouldn’t have left with debt.
5. Travel! This is as much about self and community development as it is about schooling and learning. And parenting. As an Outschool teacher, I’m exposed to a lot of homeschooling modes of thought. I imagine worldschooling my kids, teaching them about the world by traveling the world. Even just in bits at a time. (The privilege and snobbiness I’ve also experienced from some homeschooling/worldschooling communities is another debate for another time…)

So. My message to you? Don’t make your job your life. Do something with passion and care. But know in your innermost self your priorities, goals, loves, and dealbreakers. Think outside that box whenever you encounter a box someone else is trying to get you into. Like this post-not stepping in only the ‘job’ box. There’s just so much more out there to dream about.