90% of the time when we meet new people, they will ask one of these questions and not get much deeper than that:
“Where are you from?”
“Are you married?”
“Do you have kids?”
“What do you do?” (Of course, this always means what’s your job, not what do you for fun.)
Generic questions sketch a convenient caricature.
For some, it’s enough. Enough of their identity is tied to one or more of these things that there’s not much need for questions of a different ilk. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but for me, these questions are pretty tricky right now.
- I’m from the US – but not particularly proud of that with the current political atmosphere.
- I don’t have a home, but to say that I’m homeless sends the wrong message.
- I have been mostly single for 11 years.
- I am not a mother and never will be.
- I don’t have a job (and I’m sure not confident enough to say that I’m a writer).
A few years ago there was a team-building thing at work where they asked us to bring in a photo from our wedding or prom. Gee, I’m divorced and I never went to prom, so here’s what I came up with.😂
Though I would say that I worked to live and didn’t live to work, I’m finding that a big part of my identity was wrapped up in my job. I find myself referring to Garmin as “we” still and referring to “my coworkers” instead of “former coworkers”. I had a really hard time reconciling that when I got divorced & I’m struggling with it again now, though with much less pain this time around.
Last week, I attended Garmin night at Oktoberfest in Munich. It was good, but surreal seeing many people I used to work with. Enough time had passed that we couldn’t really talk about work much. Since I don’t have a replacement job, it almost feels like I’m on extended vacation rather than unemployed. A few of them said, “You’ll be back, just wait…” It’s nice to feel that the door is open should I care to pursue it, but for now, I’m not missing work and having no trouble filling my time.
One of the cool side effects of being in my unique position is that conversations go beyond these easy questions. I have had a higher concentration of meaningful conversations in the last 6 months than I’d had for years. When those four basic questions don’t have simple answers it pushes us out of our boxes and sometimes our comfort zones. It urges us to question what is truly important to us and think about who we are and what we want outside of those four things. It’s really cool seeing people light up when they hear about what I’m doing and get fired up considering that they might be able to follow their dreams, too.
What have I learned?
A bunch of people have asked me what I’ve learned about the world or what I’ve learned about other cultures. I’d been traveling quite a bit before this adventure so I really haven’t had new epiphanies about the differences (I find more similarities personally) between Europeans and Americans. I’m learning about myself. Slowly casting off misconceptions I had about myself and what’s important.
Who am I?
I haven’t updated my Linkedin profile. What do I change my employment status to? Who am I? A traveler, an explorer, a writer, a vagabond, a professional friend maker/ socializer? I had to rediscover myself after getting divorced, and build a new “me”. Guess that’s what I’m on the road to do again. Maybe at the end of this road, I’ll figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
THIS
My story doesn’t always feel important.
Sometimes it doesn’t seem worth telling at all.
Who am I to think my words, life, or experiences could impact someone else?
And then I realize – how self deprecating.
My story may not resonate with everyone.
In fact, it probably won’t resonate with many.
I am simply a human.
A woman.
A lover.
Joy filled.
Passionate.
To some, adventurous.
But I am a steward of this earth.
A student eager for knowledge.
A medicine woman aiming to heal.
A heart cracked open to spread love.
And those things are relatable.
Those things are important.
Those are pieces of magic ✨
So I share my story.
Not because I am more important.
Not because I am any different from you, in fact.
I share my story, because I have been lost.
And it was other humans’ stories that led me home.
Stories are the essence of humankind, and if mine means something to someone, than it’s worth telling.
A thousand times over.
Comments
pattonmike518
When is the next blog update?
nur kalam
very very nicehttp://bit.ly/2W9lBbJ
pattonmike518
Very inspiring!
George Brown
You are a writer, but like an artist, you must write what you feel. Everyone has a story and everyone's story is valuable worthwhile and […] Read MoreYou are a writer, but like an artist, you must write what you feel. Everyone has a story and everyone's story is valuable worthwhile and important. Write your story how you will. It will still be your expression. During and after my divorce I had many stories rattling around in my head. I thought I should write them down, but I did not do it for whatever reason, if I even had a reason. I used to write poetry when I was really feeling strongly about something. I did not write for any other reason than just because I needed to write. I enjoyed the choosing of the words and how they fit together or sounded together. I rarely ever shared those, because I wrote for myself more than for anyone else. You can and should do the same for yourself. My mother wanted to be a writer and even bought a portable typewriter took a correspondence course. She wrote poetry in high school and I think she wanted to continue that creative pursuit. Life got in the way and I do not know how much she missed writing, but at least she had done some writing. And I think you know this, but I will say it again. I am now 70 and I still do not know what I want to do when I grow up. I don't know if that will comfort you in your journey or not, but it shows that in our family you are not alone in that thought. Read Less
Ginger
The journey. I admire how you are taking hold of that journey and shaping it to what you want it to be. Hugs!