Do they have AA meetings for people who are addicted to work? Or can hyper-productive people not find the time to attend such gatherings? In any case, I’m using you all as my support group.
I’m 22, and I work three jobs.
I guess my work-aholism began when I got my first “real” job during my sophomore year of college. It quickly turned into more than just a job. Working 40 strange hours had various benefits: Meeting strangers who soon became friends, having the opportunity to do things I never dreamed of doing, period, let alone in college and finding complete confidence in myself and a courage and passion I never knew existed.
Via: blogspot.com
Before I graduated from college without a plan or any indication of where to go from there, I began to wonder if lightning could strike twice. Would I be able to find a job that I love with people that I love… again? Or is it one of those once-in-a-lifetime things? I wasn’t ready to give up on my college job just yet. But I needed to do something else, too.
Enter my second job.
My second job is a lot different than the first. I have virtually no power to affect any kind of change or input any ideas, but I get to work with children. It has its own benefits. The kids I work with inspire me to be a better human, and I to try to help them think of themselves as good people too. Don’t get me wrong –having to settle petty fights between middle school-aged children is not something I ever thought I’d put on my résumé, but I love it nonetheless. Even with two jobs though, there was still something missing.
Via: Prn
Which brings me to job number three.
I’m a freelance writer. I write all kinds of things that I never thought I’d write. I put myself out there for Craigslist and the rest of the Interweb to see. I get a steady income from it, and it has allowed me to hone my research skills. As much as weekly deadlines stress me out, they are a constant source of adrenaline I channel into euphoria.
On top of all of that, I still do some unpaid work because I think it’s important to do what you love, regardless of how much or how little you are paid to do it. Now why does all of this matter? Why should you care that I work nearly 80 hours a week?
It’s simple. When you graduate and you don’t have a job lined up, sometimes you’ve got to get creative to make ends meet. Whether you have to get a job outside your field or move back into your parents’ place until you figure your shit out, it doesn’t matter. Just do something.
Via: crossfit2point2.com
For me, working a lot is not just a necessity. Sure, the money is great, but the sick thing is that I actually enjoy doing it. I know, I know. Insert eye roll here. But it’s true. I get enjoyment and fulfillment out of working as much and as hard as I do. I crave doing a great job, and I do not settle for less than that.
Some may say I’m spreading myself too thin. Others may say I’m going to burn out before I actually get my career underway. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should slow down.
But I can’t.
Hello, everyone. My name is Alyssa, and I am a workaholic.
Featured photo courtesy of: imposemagazine.com
