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The Honeymoon is Over: Career Disenchantment and Millennial Tantrums
How to survive the rough patches of your job, and thrive in spite of them
The idea of finding a job that we love is a constant pursuit. I was taught to believe that my work should be an extension of my identity and that I should be so passionate about my job that it becomes a defining part of who I am. While there are some who may genuinely feel this way about their work, it’s important to acknowledge that this isn’t the case for everyone and it should not be a pre-requisite to living a good life. In fact, it’s perfectly okay not to love your job, and for it not to be the central focus of your life. Hell, I even encourage you to not make it your no. 1 priority.
If you take away all the bells and whistles, you will begin to recognise that a job is just a means to an end. We work to earn a living, pay our bills, and support ourselves, our dreams, and our families. While there are some who really love their job, for many people, work is simply a necessary part of life and that doesn’t mean they are underperformers.
The idea that people should live and breathe for their jobs is problematic. Not only is it unrealistic for many people, but it also puts too much pressure on them to find a job that perfectly fits their personality and interests. The reality is that many people have a wide range of interests and skills that may not necessarily be reflected in their job. And that’s okay.
There are many benefits to not having your job take over your life. It allows you to have a healthy work-life balance. When you’re not consumed by your work, you have more time and energy to devote to your personal life, whether that be spending time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies and interests, or simply relaxing and enjoying some downtime. Having a job that doesn’t fit the bill 100% could also mean that you’re less likely to experience burnout or stress-related health problems.
