When I grow up, I want to be me.

I have been thinking about the concept of following your passion to create a career. I have been trying to find my passion forever. I write down my favorite things to do which usually includes – baking, reading, going on long walks, decorating, budgeting, and dancing. Then, I try to connect those things with a career path. Nothing ever sticks. I don’t know if I want something to stick. What if I just want to try new recipes, stick to figuring out my own finances, and keep dancing in my room?

It’s kind of funny that we play these games to try and win at capitalism (except for it’s actually, not funny at all). We are taught from a young age that we should want to be something. What do you want to be when you grow up? Like there is an answer to that. We let children be who they are (to some extent) but then as adults, we are judged by what we do. What if what I want to be when I grow up is me? I don’t want to become a Communications Specialist, Financial Coach, or Chef. I want to be valued for just being a person in the world.

How do you unlink your identity with your career, salary, education, title, etc.?

I do Marketing at a non-profit to make money to survive in this world but it’s not who I am. We dedicate our lives to professions and careers to become something. There is nothing wrong with pursuing a passion, but I think we miss out on major aspects of life when our identity is narrowed to a niche or career.

I believe the best way to shift our society is to start within. I’m challenging myself to feel whole as is. This is difficult. What helps is reading poetry (particularly Mary Oliver) and going on long walks. But I’m just like everyone else living in this capitalistic society. I want to be more and more perfect. Yet, I’m taking one step at a time to let myself be.

I hope that you start allowing yourself to be you.