Why I started I Hate My 9 to 5
12. Oct, 2010 
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Image via Natalie Dee
Working is a necessary evil required by all who enter the world - with the exception of the "silver spoon in mouth" society and lotto winners EVERYONE ELSE is pretty much screwed.
Since I failed to acquire a huge inheritance (damn you Paris Hilton!) I’m forced to do hard labor. As I move stealthily into my (late) twenties the realization of “What’s my purpose?” is daunting. My friends are getting married in droves, popping out babies and 401Ks. I’m resolved that I’d like to either continue my drinking problem or experiment with pill popping and/or ecstasy. Do not judge me. It’s my quiet reality.
After much consideration, plentiful savings and unsuccessful attempts at marrying old men - I QUIT MY JOB.
The economy is awful you yell while shaking your head in disgust. I KNOW, I KNOW. Such a ridiculous thing to do in tragic times like these. However my response is fairly simple. I HATED MY JOB. My dismay was eating my alive. The idiotic tasks. The ridiculous people. Sigh. I was verrryyyyy unhappy.
These are not reasons to quit your job my immigrant father has told me…and perhaps you agree. But honestly, I don’t give a fuck. For me every single workday was absolute torture.
From 9 to 5 I was trapped inside of a cloffice with no sunlight AND I was working thru my lunch break everyday AND I was developing halitosis. To make matters worst, my boss cackled when she laughed (evil witch style) and my “colleagues” barely knew how to check their voicemails. I was over being miserable. So I quit.
Recently, I read the New York Times article, What Is It About 20-Somethings?
I said, yes, yes YES – that’s meeeeeeee! I’m twentysomething searching for the meaning of life (along with a plethora of sexual experiences) and most times I’m confused. Adulthood seems bland. Which way should I go??? I just know the mini-van path is nowhere in sight.
So what’s my plan? I don’t have one. I know I’d like to become an “artist”. Or at the very least live my life "The Artist's Way". Whether you think the notion is ridiculous or not, I’m making a public declaration. It’s even more confusing since I don’t have a medium (also insert the word talent). I can’t draw, sing, act or play the fiddle. I can’t quote art historians. I know nothing of art theory. I even learned the word docent on accident. Nonetheless, I’m trading my 9 to 5 lifestyle in order to fully discover my creative self.
Fortunately, I’m surrounded by people that make art their life - writers, musicians, designers, painters and photographers. I intend to study their habits, do yoga, listen to classical music and discover what really makes me happy (besides a paycheck). Over the next year I plan to learn a new thing every month. Acting Classes. Golf Lessons. Conversational French. Archery. Ballet. With each experience I plan to tap into my own creativity. I figure something should change in my life. Why not start now…
So what if you are a 20 something who doesn’t have a high paying job. A job that doesn’t allow you to save because you live in a expensive city and you’re not going to get a raise. What are your choices? Is it better to be poor and go into debt to pursue a risky pipe dream or be miserable for what you think is a “little while” and jump from job to job trying to save enough money to one day finally do what you want?
Dear 20 something – either way you’re making a sacrifice. I would consider what you want in the long-term.
Honestly, I wish this light of self-discovery hit me when I was 21 vs. now. And of course it’s HARD. I’m not living a glamorous life – I just believe that 1 day “my dreams will catch up with my pay”.
Start small. Read books. Consider what you would really need to do to purse your dream. Right, I dunno even know what I want to do?
Ask for help from older & wiser people. (I have mentors!) Save money…even if it’s a tiny bit.
Maybe you don’t need to exactly “quit”. But you DO need to mentally prepare yourself to make a distinctive change. Otherwise what’s the point.