One thing I've been thinking about a lot recently is finding the space between the two poles - my job is super stable and reliable, but I'm not sitting in a fluorescent cubicle. I'm not writing the next Great American Novel or teaching yoga beside a beach at sunset, but I am really intellectually stimulated by my work and have a blast with my coworkers. I technically work an endless 9 to 5, but also my boss lets me flex my hours and work from weird corners of the world (thanks, Tom!).
Have you seen the Ikigai diagram? (I only just learned this is what it's called). I think of my job as a good balance of the different poles. If I skew too far towards what I love (reading for 8 hours a day, if I could get paid for that), then I veer away from what I can get paid for. Maybe the things I'm absolute best at isn't necessarily what the world needs. But since I have a healthy dose of all four quadrants (love, compensation, talent, and need), I can find something that does make me happy every day (I genuinely like answering "what do you do?") and gives me life stability without feeling like I'm yoyo-ing between competing interests.
I think about this stuff alllll theeeeee timeeeeee in every sphere of my life - compromising some things to gain other things, but not swinging the dial 100% one way or the other. Having a more steady base in 2025 (going to sign a lease!!) but not ending nomading. Showing up for my family but not moving back home. Stopping drinking for a month but not quitting alcohol together. Etc, etc. My brain really likes to swing to the extremes and I have to coax it back into the middle sometimes!
First, I love this. Second, get out of my brain!!! The next post I’m halfway done writing is literally about cutting back on alcohol, but not eliminating it entirely 🧠🔄🤯
Also the Ikigai diagram did cross my mind while writing this! I’ve spent hours in the past trying to manufacture the perfect overlapping center (so far to no avail, but the search continues).
Which leads me to sometimes think instead that there’s got to be some sort of 9-5/salaried job that I would like…right?? Like a least one?? It’s got to exist. Maybe I’ve just had really bad luck with toxic environments and workaholic bosses in all of my former full-time rolls. Though this was pre-pandemic, so I do wonder if just eliminating the awful commute, shitty breakroom coffee and those fluorescent lights with a remote role would be sufficient.
I love your perspective of finding the sweet spot in all aspects of life and never dialing any aspect up to 100% — this is all advice I needed to hear 💛
I too have spent so many moments browsing those pages on Linkedin when work is slow! And the minute a new client appears I don't consider it for a second - a clear sign it's not the right thing long term.
Love the term you've coined here and not surprised to read that wonderful experience continue to manifest despite not following a conventional path. Being open to exploring new experiences and following that gut intuition is the compass for true success and fulfillment (as I define it at least ;)). Cheers to you for having the courage to follow your inner voice and thanks for sharing such a beautiful reflection!
If there ever were a universal compass to follow it's your gut! I can't tell you how many times I've gone back and forth between the rational "should do" and the irrational "it feels right but idk why" and been stoked I chose the latter despite all logic and reason telling me otherwise
One thing I've been thinking about a lot recently is finding the space between the two poles - my job is super stable and reliable, but I'm not sitting in a fluorescent cubicle. I'm not writing the next Great American Novel or teaching yoga beside a beach at sunset, but I am really intellectually stimulated by my work and have a blast with my coworkers. I technically work an endless 9 to 5, but also my boss lets me flex my hours and work from weird corners of the world (thanks, Tom!).
Have you seen the Ikigai diagram? (I only just learned this is what it's called). I think of my job as a good balance of the different poles. If I skew too far towards what I love (reading for 8 hours a day, if I could get paid for that), then I veer away from what I can get paid for. Maybe the things I'm absolute best at isn't necessarily what the world needs. But since I have a healthy dose of all four quadrants (love, compensation, talent, and need), I can find something that does make me happy every day (I genuinely like answering "what do you do?") and gives me life stability without feeling like I'm yoyo-ing between competing interests.
I think about this stuff alllll theeeeee timeeeeee in every sphere of my life - compromising some things to gain other things, but not swinging the dial 100% one way or the other. Having a more steady base in 2025 (going to sign a lease!!) but not ending nomading. Showing up for my family but not moving back home. Stopping drinking for a month but not quitting alcohol together. Etc, etc. My brain really likes to swing to the extremes and I have to coax it back into the middle sometimes!
First, I love this. Second, get out of my brain!!! The next post I’m halfway done writing is literally about cutting back on alcohol, but not eliminating it entirely 🧠🔄🤯
Also the Ikigai diagram did cross my mind while writing this! I’ve spent hours in the past trying to manufacture the perfect overlapping center (so far to no avail, but the search continues).
Which leads me to sometimes think instead that there’s got to be some sort of 9-5/salaried job that I would like…right?? Like a least one?? It’s got to exist. Maybe I’ve just had really bad luck with toxic environments and workaholic bosses in all of my former full-time rolls. Though this was pre-pandemic, so I do wonder if just eliminating the awful commute, shitty breakroom coffee and those fluorescent lights with a remote role would be sufficient.
I love your perspective of finding the sweet spot in all aspects of life and never dialing any aspect up to 100% — this is all advice I needed to hear 💛
I too have spent so many moments browsing those pages on Linkedin when work is slow! And the minute a new client appears I don't consider it for a second - a clear sign it's not the right thing long term.
Love the term you've coined here and not surprised to read that wonderful experience continue to manifest despite not following a conventional path. Being open to exploring new experiences and following that gut intuition is the compass for true success and fulfillment (as I define it at least ;)). Cheers to you for having the courage to follow your inner voice and thanks for sharing such a beautiful reflection!
Inspiring !!!
If there ever were a universal compass to follow it's your gut! I can't tell you how many times I've gone back and forth between the rational "should do" and the irrational "it feels right but idk why" and been stoked I chose the latter despite all logic and reason telling me otherwise
You are a true inspiration ❤️ I love your irrational intuition and your courage to follow it, keep it up girl ✨️
Thank you Lisanne! 🥹