The most common question that involves introductions is “What do you do?” And the most common answer happens to involve our profession or academia. Why is it that most people define themselves with their careers/professions? As people grow older, they find it really hard to discuss their hobbies, their interests apart from their careers. I wonder why? This makes me ponder as to whether work defines our personality, identity and life at large.
I have met some extremely endearing people, who have lives beyond the obvious. They have a multi-faceted personalities, which makes you admire them. For some it would make them wonder and cry in horror thinking, “Where is the time for anything else?”. We would all admit that it would be a lie to tell ourselves that we lack time and the interest to do things beyond work. If something matters to us, then we would surely “make” time for it.
To start off, if you haven’t take note of all that is missing in your life that last few years, then we shall start now. First, sit back and think of what you would do if you were not working where you currently are and if you were not in the profession you currently are in? The answer to this question tells you what you really enjoy doing apart from work, of course. This could probably be your hobby, your passion or whatever else that you would like to call it. The first step in that direction would be to consciously make time for these “extra happy additions” to your life.
A few ideas to get you started are:
1. Start a new hobby, like maybe a new dance form; rub off dust from your precious voice.
2. Try gardening, something nice and new, world apart from the mundane tasks.
3. Try photography maybe.
4. Trekking, river rafting et al.
Your list can go on or may not include any of the above. But the important thing is, you will enjoy what you do — that is all that matters!
The things you would get by doing this is that,
1. You would feel confident of yourself and your skills.
2. You would never feel insecure about your job, because you have a diverse personality and you know you can earn a living from any of these.
3. Your life would feel a lot more balanced and you would feel more energetic.
The advantages could be more than the ones mentioned, but it will undoubtedly add significant value to your life.
If nothing more, you would get to add few more feathers to your hat when answering “What do you do?”
The writer is a correspondent of Youth Ki Awaaz.