I wrote a post a while back — I don’t remember which one, or I would link to it. And someone left a comment on it — I’m not sure who it was, or I would give credit. The post was one of those occasional things I write when the mood strikes me; it was on the subject of “What do I want to do with my life?” The commenter said it reminded her of a quote she’d heard and liked. She wasn’t sure if she was remembering it exactly right, but she thought the quote went something like this:
“She decided to start living the life she’d imagined.”
I copied that phrase into one of the Word docs I use to keep notes for future posts, and I come across it from time to time when I’m looking for something new to write about. Every time I see it, it makes me stop and think. I like it. It inspires me.
I know why this subject is coming up again — the whole “What do I want to do?” thing. It’s because I’ve met several people recently who really love what they do for a living (even if they don’t proclaim it, the choices they make every day prove they’re doing what they want to do). They can’t see themselves doing anything else. That kind of attitude makes me think, “If they can do it, so can I.”
I’m in no way complaining about my current job. I feel lucky to have it. I’m paid well, and I like my co-workers. The problem is that I feel like I’m always waiting for something to happen — and I just don’t think I’ll find that “something” there. I know it’s not what I want for the long term. And if I feel that way, I need to be proactive in doing something about it.
I started to feel even more strongly about this when I was approached last week about taking on a new set of responsibilities at work. Some of you suggested I try it and see if I like it. This was a good suggestion — or it would be a good suggestion if I could actually see myself liking HR. But if I avoided applying for HR-type jobs back when I was unemployed and job searching, why would I want to do it now?
You know what’s frustrating? The fact that there are so many choices available to us — it really is true that having so many options is both a blessing and a curse. I may not have the money to start my own business (if that was what I wanted, which it isn’t), but in actuality there are so many career paths I could choose to follow.
My ideal job would involve writing and research. I enjoy those things and I’m good at them. I do get paid for both of these things right now (and it’s a nice supplement to my regular day-job income), but it’s “extra work,” and not at the point where I could do it full-time.
I would also like a more flexible schedule. (I know, I know…doesn’t everyone?) If I could start working as soon as I woke up in the morning, and then take a few hours off to run errands, or do a workout, or take a class? And then come home and do some more work? And maybe work on a weekend so I could take a day off during the week? Oh, that would be fantastic. That’s what I want.
So I guess I’ve kind of done it. I’ve started the first step, which is identifying and envisioning how I’d like my life to be. This is actually what I’ve wanted for a while now — the past few years, at least — but I haven’t been working hard enough to make it happen.
I want to start living the life I imagine.
21 Comments
I love that statement “start living the life I had imagined” – perfect, simple and to the point!
~K
I like that quote too! I have add it to my quote file.
Envisioning is the first step! Just be persistent and keep moving yourself forward; it might mean you going out your immediate comfort zone – when you are ready – but it’ll be worth it in the long run.
Yay, for Zan!
That is a great quote, though thank goodness I don’t imagine myself to be a princess, it is not quite Halloween costume time so nailing down the princess dress could prove a bit difficult to achieve
Good luck with finding something that fits and that you totally love. It sounds like you are off to a good start with identifying some of the things that would be important to you to make it the ideal job!
I love that quote! Good luck on your way to find out what you want to do.
I feel the same way. So many options, but seems no easy answer either…
Very inspiring, Zandria.
I like that quote. Thanks!
Inspirational indeed.
It really is not just about the content of the work but also about the lifestyle and especially the daily life it allows you to have. Know that and you are halfway there.
Someone told me this summer, once you decide on change, opportunities will become apparent.
I hope some will for you soon!
“She decided to start living the life she’d imagined.â€
You know, after getting dumped last year after a three year relationship, I realized I wasn’t doing that. I had followed this guy all over the east coast while he chased his dream and then wondered why I felt so shattered and lost when I was left behind.
I adopted that attitude and EVERYTHING changed. I’m still trying to figure out the career thing, but it’s amazing. When you start acting “selfish” things just fall into place.
Sorry that line just spoke to me so much.
Also, I would say living the life you imagine doesn’t always mean you have to have all the answers. Figure out the parts you can.
I found myself in quite a few job situations over the past year where I was given the option to move up and forward down a certain path, but it was a path I didn’t want. But I was more frustrated because I didn’t know what I did want, and maybe I was squandering opportunities by being indecisive. No over-arching point, but I can relate to the job thing a bit.
Okay this choppy protracted comment has come to an end.
Have you thought about becoming a paralegal? That is pretty much all writing and research, although it is legal research. Good pay, steady hours, and since you are working independently a lot of the time, there is usually flexibility in hours. I kind of wish I had gone this route instead of law school.
This is a great post for me to read today. I’ve been so caught up in the drama and chaos of the moment that I’ve totally lost sight of where I’m headed. Thanks for the wake-up call!
i love that you posted this today.
i just had such a great day yesterday, wherein, without saying the same words, i decided to start living the life i’d imagined for myself.
it’s going to be amazing.
it is already.
Wow – this seems so timely for everyone! I want that sort of flexibility in a job as well, but everytime I start to wish for that I dismiss it as being impractical. Like what I imagine is just too much to achieve.
On the other hand, not getting into classes this semester drove me to realize how much I resent my job. I was distracting myself instead of admitting that a good job doesn’t mean it’s good for me.
Here’s to finding a job that I am good at and is also good to me!
I love Liz’s line about “acting selfish.” This is what I’ve started to learn how to do. It’s all come about in the last year (thank you therapy). Man, should have read the comments before writing my blog post. I’ll have to do another blog post about being selfish. In any case, you inspired a blog post about how I have to shift my thinking; I’ve always been the same as you, and I finally think my life pieces are starting to fall together.
anyway, here’s the post:
http://penn.typepad.com/penn/2008/09/living-intentio.html
Too bad it is so difficult to put that sense of imagination on a resume, but you know what, I’ll take a well formated imagination over a well formated resume any day of the week.
Do your thing Z.
It’s Thoreau, and I like the second half as much as the first:
“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Another fav of mine is from Louisa May Alcott: “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”
Lizriz rocks! Thank you for finding the source of my quote. (And it’s pretty great, I must say!)
Loved this post. I came across it as I am contemplating a big career change – far more money, but a job I wouldn’t likely enjoy as much, or give me the flexibility to do my outside hobbies as well. I’m finding it a tough choice.
Sometimes I tell myself that, blessed as we women are now with so many options and possibilities, having had less would have made my life easier.
I don’t know how to live the life I imagine, actually I think I don’t even let my imagination run, really, because I am too scared.
Yep. I’ve decided to do this too. Actually have been working toward this for about 15 months, but finally can start imagining my life, different.
One of my favorite inspirational quotes for this is from a href=”http://christinekane.com/blog/monday-unplugged/”>Christine Kane’s blog :
“the soul won’t invest in a compromise.”
Such a motivation for everyone who reads this! Kind of remind me of myself
As I’ve suggested to you a few weeks ago, I still think you’d make a great writer (esp. on dating stuff, female fitness stuff, and simply on Motivation 101, or maybe just your memoir as a blogger yourself?).
I wish you a very good luck