My schedule is changing. For about one solid week in August I felt unemployed. I lived my life slowly and with great thought. I rediscovered what it meant to not be stressed out or feel constantly worried about the work I had been involved with. I then discovered sites like Chris Guillebeau’s The Art of Non-Conformity and Jamie Varon’s A Life In Transition. The internet is awake with success stories and there is tons of opportunity.
It is very important for me to be able to say that I am doing something that makes me happy. Over the passed three months this has not always been completely true. I’ve tried things professionally that have stressed me out and I’ve done things professionally that have made me very excited to be alive. I’m busy developing the philosophy and values of a company that I know will be a collaboration of important people and ideas that surround me. I am busy developing a portfolio of my work online. I’ve made it a point to blog at least every other day and feeling fairly confident that I can produce enough content to support that schedule.
I’ve picked up another shift with @1200Clayton and have recently been asked by Healing Waters International to put in another day each week to help out with their graphic design and web development. This is all exciting and gives me plenty of time and resources to continue pursuing the goals I want to set out before me. Working at a coffee shop is a lesson in clearing your head. It involves so little other than interacting with customers and making coffee that you have time to think. Healing Waters International is a great opportunity to learn about another facet of poverty that I knew nothing about, clean water.
My schedule does seem to change on a weekly basis but so far I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to pursue things I want to be doing. I’d love to be traveling and writing and making a living from doing simply that like Chris or Jaime but right now my life’s path isn’t affording me the opportunity. I am happy where I am at… for now.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you, mark! I realized moments before reading this that I now have 4 “jobs”, but i only give a few hours a week to each. I’m so much happier this way, even though it has taken sacrifices (travel, for now, and being able to live alone). I also don’t know how long it’ll be sustainable for me, especially with the lack of health insurance. Do you see this as a long-term plan, or a break from the conventional work model?
It’s a privilege to be able to try this lifestyle, for sure, and I’d urge anyone who has the opportunity to go for it.
Yea I see this philosophy as a more long-term goal for my life. It will takes steps to get to that point and I still have a lot to learn but am eager for new experiences.
I as well urge anyone to take the time and take a break. Walk away if they have the resources to support or network to support oneself.
hmm…. i didn’t see you schedule me in there… fix that for me.