“Not all those who wander are lost.” J. R. R. Tolkien (Illustration by Jim Hunt)
“Not all those who wander are lost,” said J. R. R. Tolkien.
“But some of us wander a lot longer than others,” I’d like to add.
Recently I submitted a job application to a local technical school. It was the sixth one like it. I received my sixth form letter saying, “Thank you for your interest and the time you spent interviewing. While your background and experience are impressive, we regret …”
Funny thing is, I didn’t regret the rejection at all, which made me wonder why I keep applying. Unless it’s because I don’t think I deserve the job I have, or maybe I’m afraid I’ll fail at it.
This is nothing new. I stocked the back room of a clothing store during my summer break from teaching, which postponed graduate classes I needed to take so I could work as a guidance counselor. Eventually I took the classes and got the counseling position, but talk about wandering.
I’ve also worked as a waitress, gift wrapper, maid, photographer’s assistant, cross-stitcher, cashier, customer service rep, sales clerk, secretary and book shipper. I’ve aimed at, but stopped short of wandering into jobs as a real estate agent, social worker, and magazine ad salesperson. Last month, I picked up an application for a front desk attendant at the YMCA and checked online ads for cashiers at a big box store.
Applying for jobs is my distraction of choice.
I fill out application after application because either I don’t trust the right job will come along or, if it does, I don’t trust I can do it. When I got a call about supervising interns at the local university, a position I worked for six years until I quit to take writing classes, I kept cleaning houses for months afterwards in case the university job didn’t last.
I’m doing the same thing now that I’m freelance writing. I’m distracting myself because I’m afraid.
“Are you finished with all this nonsense and ready to stick with doing what you love?” said my husband. He’s asked that question as many times as I’ve applied for jobs.
How about you? Are you finished with your nonsense?
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – I’m committed to doing the work I love from here on out, at least until the next job recommendation comes to my inbox.
On the side: For more illustrations, check out Jim Hunt Illustration.
Great resources for figuring out your perfect job and how to get there:
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
Work With Passion: How to Do What You Love for a Living by Nancy Anderson
S. Kim Henson ~ Getting Your Own Life While Loving the People In It 
Isn’t it funny how God just keeps giving us the same answer and we just keep asking the same question,
It’s a hoot! : ) I know you’re laughing ’cause you’ve already heard all about this.
I love this post! I have that quote (well, without your twist) on my blog!
Just to share – I decided to find part-time work so that I wouldn’t be stressed all the time over the writing. God led me to a job at our Y – I started at the front desk but then was hired to create programs for member to help them live healthier lives.
I used Julia Cameron’s Writer’s Diet and created a writing diet class which led to an Artist’s Way class which led to an on-going writing group, etc. God found a way for me to earn part-time money using writing to help people live better lives. For two summers now I’ve run a “Novelist Boot Camp” for people over 40 who have always wanted to write that book. All through the Y.
I think you and I would be friends outside of cyber-space. Happy to have met you!
Lori, what an encouraging comment. Maybe I should rethink the front desk job at the Y. I’d love to help others live healthier. Although, I have to say, I love my part-time job at the university so I may wait it out until January since they said enrollment is up and they’ll most likely need me. I like the boot camp idea also except I may need to be in one, not running it. : ) Mmmmm, lots to think about now.
Thanks for stopping by!