On Working

image source: Pinterest

These days, I feel like the weight of my life, past, present, and future, have all been haphazardly stacked, placed, and weighed upon each of my two shoulders. Both of which feel far too weak to carry it all alone. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I feel utterly suffocated by an air of impossible expectations and sky high standards, while in reality existing in my twenties is like existing in a world where uncertainty seems more consistent than anything else.
            

                    What’s the plan after graduation?

I hate this question.

Not really because of what it’s asking, as redundant as it can be, but because I feel like it almost doesn't matter anymore. Plan or no plan, the plan isn’t even a plan at this point. It’s more of a piece of hope. I hope that after four years in university and graduation that I’ll find a job teaching English literature and I hope I’ll be paid equitably enough to help in pursuing my master's degree. I mustn’t forget, I hope to maintain my own sanity through it all. And on that point, here’s to also hoping that I’ll be able to afford therapy.

Alright now, you have every right to judge me on this next point, but please wait to cite your grievances in the comments until the very end of the post, please. Within the next few months, if a job becomes available, in which I would be tasked with training an AI software to understand the fundamental concepts within Shakespeare or Hemingway, there is a high chance that I would, with hesitation, apply. 

Don’t get me wrong, as horrible as I truly believe artificial intelligence is and has become, I can’t help but place more stake in my personal ability to live a life where there are more daily joys and moments of rest and reflection than to be unfairly worn down by a system that does not prioritize the humanity of its workers who daily sacrifice their health and happiness to survive.

So yes, as a last resort and in an act of survival, I might consider an AI job. Let’s be honest though, who wouldn’t want to wake up each day on their own schedule, at home, sipping a cup of freshly or instantly brewed coffee, on the couch, with the laptop, and to be mostly free from the many stresses that come with public service in any field. 

In all seriousness, recently I’ve felt like a robot in the workforce. From what many have shared online and what I have heard from colleagues and friends, I’m not alone. I wish I knew how we could revise the current form of working and replace this oppressive system with one that actually cared about the individual. I want to live and work, not work to live. 

This month, I’ve desperately longed for a life of leisure. One that only the wealthy and privileged get to enjoy. The life more frequently shown in the latest popular streaming shows. A life where each day is easy and all expenses are paid. What a dream. Or is it? What is a life without purpose, structure, and meaning?

In reality, my passions for literature, teaching, and leaving this world in a better place than where I found it will always be my most important professional and personal priorities. I can’t imagine living without helping, teaching, or inspiring those around me. But on my toughest days, I do fantasize about living on the coast somewhere with no responsibilities other than feeding the dog and the cat and imprinting the sand with my footsteps as I walk along the beach.

Peace and love,

Charity

By Charity M. Witcher