Right? There is a real disconnect between the making and the living. I suppose that's why so many of our friends teach: there is (some) stability and you spend your time discussing work you love with people who also love it. But even that world seems to be crumbling!
Labor of love is so apt when applied to literary work (and teaching - esp. if it's adjunct)! And I'm so glad you're doing yours with Story. You are a force, Michael! 🌟
I related to a lot of this piece so thank you for sharing your thoughts and current struggles. The employee-manager relationship essentially determines one's quality of life that period of time, for better or worse.
These two statements I've always found meaningful to me in certain circumstances:
This weekend Liz and I were talking about how much power a manager can wield, often without any awareness. And one bad mgr experience ripples for a long time. I'm just trying to keep my head straight about it.
Brilliant insight on how the two definitions of tolerable create that tension. The compartmentalization failure isnt about managing better its about recognizing the psychic cost becomes structurally unsustainable. I've seen this in consulting where the most pointless work demands the most urgnecy. The shift from "I can bear it" to "why am I bearing this" happens faster than expected.
The short answer is no, it's not tolerable. (haha - sad face). But also I don't know of any other way? I'm teaching this semester but very likely going back to the cube after this semester because of money reasons. It's not my favorite thing, but I'm trying to make peace with it. Emphasis on trying.
Well, at least it's not commercial real estate, amirite? I really didn't mind the corporate work a few years ago but I'm just feeling, like we all are, the instability of this world and trying to figure out what on earth to do about it.
The fact that the most meaningful work is generally the worst paid (for the majority of creatives) yes and 😞
Right? There is a real disconnect between the making and the living. I suppose that's why so many of our friends teach: there is (some) stability and you spend your time discussing work you love with people who also love it. But even that world seems to be crumbling!
Labor of love is so apt when applied to literary work (and teaching - esp. if it's adjunct)! And I'm so glad you're doing yours with Story. You are a force, Michael! 🌟
I related to a lot of this piece so thank you for sharing your thoughts and current struggles. The employee-manager relationship essentially determines one's quality of life that period of time, for better or worse.
These two statements I've always found meaningful to me in certain circumstances:
It is always possible to ask for help.
"You encourage what you tolerate." - Tom Landry
This weekend Liz and I were talking about how much power a manager can wield, often without any awareness. And one bad mgr experience ripples for a long time. I'm just trying to keep my head straight about it.
Brilliant insight on how the two definitions of tolerable create that tension. The compartmentalization failure isnt about managing better its about recognizing the psychic cost becomes structurally unsustainable. I've seen this in consulting where the most pointless work demands the most urgnecy. The shift from "I can bear it" to "why am I bearing this" happens faster than expected.
The short answer is no, it's not tolerable. (haha - sad face). But also I don't know of any other way? I'm teaching this semester but very likely going back to the cube after this semester because of money reasons. It's not my favorite thing, but I'm trying to make peace with it. Emphasis on trying.
Well, at least it's not commercial real estate, amirite? I really didn't mind the corporate work a few years ago but I'm just feeling, like we all are, the instability of this world and trying to figure out what on earth to do about it.
Like an addict though, I've been peeping some of those jobs...
But yeah, a big question here is purpose. What am I doing? Why am I doing it? Who am I? No seriously, who AM I?