Whatever makes you happy, man...
“I’m sure you can find a job in Amsterdam” is something people tell me often. I’m flattered by their confidence in me but I’m mostly amused because this statement isn’t in response to me saying that I’m looking for a job but as a reaction to me telling them that my steady job is babysitting, which I love.
Since I left my mind-numbing, soul-crushing 9-to-5 desk job in New York City in 2009 I’ve stirred clear of “regular” jobs and that idea isn’t easy to grasp for most people. Why would someone with a Master’s degree, solid work background and good language skills not be working in a full-time position at an established company? To me it’s simple: to be happy. I was so miserable at that NYC job that I became sick so I promised myself I wouldn’t attempt such soul suicide again – though I could see myself working at a Dutch office because people here generally see work as a component of life, as opposed to the American way in which life is time wasted unless filled with nothing but work (well, and shopping).
One interesting fact is that many of the people who don’t understand why I’m one of the most ridiculously over-qualified babysitters on the planet complain about their jobs, sometimes confessing that they wish they could be more like me – these folks don’t seem to think of the hardships of my lifestyle but I can understand why they see greener grass.
My life is definitely far from perfect (and the amount in my bank account far from ideal) but I’m actually happy now and that’s all that matters. This isn’t to say that I don’t think and plan for the future or that I’m not afraid of where I’m going to end up (God forbid homeless!) but since I’ve got only one life to live it seems more sensible to take the risk of being happy than to risk a nervous breakdown behind a dusty computer monitor.
How about you, are you happy?
I think happiness is a day to day thing. Some days, I do feel the wanderlust, and think, I’m going to chuck this all and follow my heart. But other days are very good, and I think, can it really get any better than this?
I will say that I have a great admiration for you, taking the bull by the horns and pursuing what makes you happy. It takes great courage. For me, it is all about balance. Some days are not so good. Some days are great. I think that if the scale swings too much to one side for too long (as it seems to have done in your case), then the choice is clear. For those of us who are teetering somewhere in the middle, it will take a bit more to achieve that tipping point.
Thanks for your comment! I think you’re right, you gotta find a balance. I’m happy that you’re somewhere in the middle as the pendulum might swing a little either way but it’s always around “good” :)
Hey, my friend! Great food for thought!
Love,
Kimmy
Thank you! I usually think of it as a brain flush 8)