The irrelevance of a job

"Advertising has us ... working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need." -Tyler Durden

Lately, I've noticed that the vast, vast majority of my friends hate their jobs - myself included. I knew that people hated their jobs, but it didn't dawn on me the extent of the quantity of people or the quality of their hatred/disgust/malign emotions towards their means of income. Why is that?

In regards to myself, I'm working in a position where I'm paid very little, I'm rarely challenged, I'm bored 90% of the time, the work environment is too draconic and I have no benefits (no vacation, sick leave or other financial benefits). I'm sure most others feel similiarly towards their own jobs. One of the benefits of my job is that I have a pretty cool supervisor - unfortunately the fact that she can empathize results in poor morale... but that's another blog for another day.

In any case, I realize that I don't *need* this job. I work at it because it's the highest paying job I can get at this moment in time. Half the time, I'm hoping I'll get fired so I can collect on unemployment. I have no debt, nor do I plan on getting any. In fact, I think part of my hesitation in getting a new car is because it means it enslaves me to an activity I don't enjoy. And life is too short not to maximize your time enjoying your youth, health and life in general.

I've grown less miserable since I've come to this realization. I've felt less trapped since I understand that my job does not define who I am - I'm not the contents of my to-do list. I'm less depressed once I realized that it is my choice to do what I am doing for money... and for how I spend it.

This entry is in no way meant to tell people how to live their lives; rather, it's just food for thought. An offering, if you will, of my point of view on the things that many of us believe we "need" to survive. If you feel like I'm full of shit, leave a comment and share your thoughts. That's what my Musings space is for. I freely offer myself as an undefended target to focus your frustrations. For those of you who feel I am wrong: I have attacked your way of life - now retaliate and bring me down!

Now, if you don't mind me, I have a Project Mayhem meeting to attend to...