All I ever wanted to do was write.
Until earlier this year, I spent my whole entire adult life
trying to find a “career” or “job” that I actually enjoyed. I was miserable. Finally, I had to give up and admit to
myself that it wasn’t working. If all I ever wanted to do was write, I
realized, then that’s what I need to be doing.
When the husband landed his current job here in Dallas, he
would have been perfectly fine with me not working at all. However, I wanted a
job, both to supplement our income and to get me out of the house. I decided to
search for something part-time and low-stress. You know, something that
wouldn’t distract from my writing. Within a couple of weeks, I had landed my
current job: working the afternoons at a shipping store.
I’ve gotten more than a few side-eyes when I tell people
where I work. I understand this reaction. I’m well educated, intelligent, and
knowledgeable, all of which comes through in conversation. So I get that my job
confuses people. What’s a person like you
doing working a job like that? I can practically see the thought forming in
their heads. So I frequently end up explaining my situation, like I did for you
just now.
And while all of what I explained above is true, there’s
another truth that I don’t often share with people: I actually love my “menial
labor” job.
I don’t see what’s not to love about it. It’s a quick, short
drive from home. I only work four hours every weekday afternoon. The time flies
by. My co-workers are nice, interesting, and a pleasure to speak to and work
with. Most of our customers are regulars. We know about their lives. They’re
rarely angry or rude or mean-spirited. In fact, it’s a little bit like Cheers, only with P.O. boxes instead of
beer. My work also requires critical thinking and problem solving skills, so
it’s not like I’m not using my brain. At the end of every day, rather than
being stressed out, I usually have a funny anecdote to take home with me.
