It seems like everywhere I go, people are always asking me what kind of work I do. While I understand that it’s a common question, I often feel like it doesn’t truly capture who I am or what my life is all about. To me, the work someone does doesn’t necessarily define how they stand in life, how they feel, or what they’ve been through. I’m far more interested in someone’s life story and how they fill their days – whether they’re happy, what their definition of life is, and so on.

I’ve noticed that many people seem to just go through the motions in their work, simply waiting for the day to be over. A friend of mine always talks about her job when we speak, and I’ve tried to encourage her to think beyond it and consider all the other possibilities that are out there. But she doesn’t seem to see the problem or share my frustration. It’s hard to offer advice when the other person isn’t experiencing the same limitations.

On the other hand, I’ve also been confused when people don’t take action even when given good advice. While I still believe that there are so many more possibilities out there than just being a slave to one company, I’ve come to realize that it’s not up to me to decide that for someone else. Everyone has to take their own time and steps to make progress.

When I ask people how their work is going, I often hear about long hours and a focus on making more business. But I rarely hear about projects that have given them insights, energy, or strength. It seems like the primary concern is just putting food on the table, rather than finding fulfillment in what they do.

I have a background in the hospitality industry, which I ended up in out of necessity. I couldn’t find a job anywhere else, and there was always work available in the hospitality field. While I gained a lot of knowledge and skills, I always looked down on my position and started to believe that I couldn’t do anything else. It’s hard to switch industries when you have so many hours of experience in one field, but no experience in another.

I struggled for a long time with how to break out of the hospitality bubble and find work that truly fulfilled me. But one day, I decided to shift my mindset and use everything I had learned in hospitality as a foundation for the new position I was applying for. I knew that I wanted to leave the catering industry, but I was still afraid of the unknown and kept one foot in that door. Finally, I realized that sometimes you have to close a door or burn a bridge behind you in order to be open to something new.

It wasn’t easy, but once I fully committed to leaving the hospitality industry and letting go of the beliefs that were holding me back, a whole new world opened up to me. I found work in a field that I had no experience in, but that aligned with my core values. It wasn’t easy at first – it was an emotional rollercoaster as I grappled with my own ideas, ideology, and thoughts – but the sense of pride and satisfaction that I feel when I look back on my day makes it all worth it.

Despite all this, I still find myself feeling uncomfortable when it comes to talking about my work with others. I feel like I’m constantly trying to justify what I do, and I worry that people will judge me or think that I’m not doing enough. But I’m learning to embrace my story and own my path, even if it’s different from what others might expect.

So, to answer the question of what I do for a living, I explore life. I’m constantly searching for new experiences, learning, and progressing as I figure out what life is all about. I don’t think that my work defines me, and I’m far more interested in the journey and the lessons that I learn along the way.

It’s not always easy, and I often face challenges and setbacks. But I’m learning to embrace my story and own my path, even if it’s different from what others might expect. I’m proud of the work that I do and the impact that I’m able to have on the world around me. And while I may not have all the answers, I’m committed to continuing to explore and learn as I journey through life.