Work and Ego — why do we spend so much time defining ourselves by our field, job, title, and pay… in the end our employers and work friends never stay with us and yet we give them our full loyalty.

Anonymous

September 6,2022 at 6:16AM UTC

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Work and Ego — why do we spend so much time defining ourselves by our field, job, title, and pay… in the end our employers and work friends never stay with us and yet we give them our full loyalty.

Has anyone else had an awakening that our career paths are often fraught and disappointing?

We spend so much time at work … decades only to grow old and turn around and realize we had worked ourselves into middle age.

There has to be more to life than eeking out fun after 5p and the weekends.

Were we born to work?

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Kathryn MontbriandSeptember 6,2022 at 12:56PM UTC
This is such a juicy question.
I'll flip it around a little - I think the reason that title, pay and employment loom so large in our minds and identities is BECAUSE we put so much of ourselves into them. Otherwise we couldn't make the justification for the time, energy and heart that goes into working.
If you are pouring all your energy into work and not getting expected results, that can be frustrating. Just like if you poured significant energy into getting healthier or cultivating a relationship. You want to see the outcome from your pursuit.
This realization might be a signal that you are due for some soul searching and deciding where you want to put your energy in an upcoming chapter. Happy reflecting!
AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 2:44PM UTC
“If you are pouring all your energy into work and not getting expected results, that can be frustrating. Just like if you poured significant energy into getting healthier or cultivating a relationship. You want to see the outcome from your pursuit. “
that’s exactly it
i feel like careers are sort of like those boyfriends who never really loved us they just loved the idea of us. we were just too enamored to notice.
AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 2:59PM UTC
Yes! I had an awakening a little over a year ago. It was so great to change careers - even if it paid a little less. I am now working 8 hours a day/40 a week. Maybe someday I'll be able to change that also with thee side business my husband and I have!