Existentialism On Cuba Street
Walking down Cuba with my friend Kelly yesterday afternoon we talked about our frightening realisation that we may never work “normal” jobs again.
Until a year ago I was quite happily resigned to the notion that I would work in an office my whole life. The weekends would be for living and weekdays for working. I planned to be well paid with little responsibility, never having to think very hard for myself. This lazy work life would lend itself well to a fun social life, including marriage, travel, and a mortgage. The prospect of this existence didn’t make me want to curl up and die, it didn’t even feel like my only option. It’s what I wanted!
And then everything changed. I no longer wanted someone telling me what to do. I didn’t care about earning a lot of money, as long as I could pay my bills. My relationship broke up. The thought of being tied to a mortgage became scary. And I realised that I wasn’t the same person any more, I was free of all that. I could live in the moment.
The problem for me and Kelly is that this path is not a usual one in our families, so there is no blueprint for us to follow. We’re making our own rules and it’s quite daunting.
And exciting.
11 Responses to “Existentialism On Cuba Street”
A frightening realisation – I would think a more ‘refreshing’ realisation.
Hmmm thanks R. I may agree once I’ve calmed from the mild panic induced by the thought.
It really will be insanely freeing once you embrace it! I am pretty sure I had the same feelings when I did a degree then went to work as a barista in a beachside cafe afterward. Heaven. My family didn’t get it and it bothered me for a little while but then I didn’t care anymore. Do what you enjoy!
PS. Good to see you back :)
It runs in my family, too. Well…my mom, anyway. I’m glad you’re coming clear about a lot of this stuff – it can be a hard road. I think you’re doing amazing, though, and I’m shakin’ the pompoms for you!
It IS exciting. VERY exciting!
It’s amazing that life often takes us exactly where we need to be. I know good things are coming your way, Kim!
And thank you SO much for your sweet words on my post. Thank you for your support and hugs :) MUCH appreciated.
I’m sorry I’ve been MIA, I just needed a break…
xoxo
i come from a family of people who have never been office types, the 9-5 thing, and i am the same i think the idea scares me. you miss out on so much!
xxxx
Damn straight it’s exciting!
My parents worked almost 7 days a week while we were growing up so we didn’t have much of a fun childhood. But they were doing it all for the sake of owning a home and putting us through uni. I guess it’s all about what you think are your priorities. If you are happy about living for now then that’s great. And the future can always change – like you’ve experienced. So you just have to readjust if need be. You’re an awesome chick with lots of good friends and family for moral support in whatever path you choose.
I think you’re very brave!
I’ve recently taken a big career change from a easy money maker to a tough job where I can’t get away with reading blogs all day like I used to hahaha. I am much happier though and that’s what matters.
You’re creative and clever and I think you’ll do very well darlin’ X
In the not too distant past I too wanted a nice 9 to 5 office job, a house, a wife, and kids too. Then everything went sideways for me and my eyes are open now. Kids these days scare the crap out of me because it’s like watching mayhem in motion. Office dewellers scare me more because a lot of them sell their sole for job security and are very cut throat. Lets skip the obvious problems with the housing market. Establishing a permanent relationship with a women now scares me because I’ve seen so many psychos and self absorbed types that the possibility of finding myself murdered for insurance money seems frighteningly high. So, with all those thoughts, I cuddle with my cat, huddled in my apartment, and work on my contract assignments knowing I’m probably going to live longer and die less painfully than most. Plus I get to do whatever I want with my cash.
Leave a Reply