There, I said it.
Your bank balance might make your eyes water but if you don’t have any job satisfaction, then you’re never going to be happy.
While the word “happy” might simplify the situation, surely happiness is something we all deserve.
Let’s face it, we spend a LOT of time in work and if you absolutely dread going to work every day, it doesn’t bode well for the future.
After the recent Slice of Ireland research, it was discovered that Her.ie readers rate their career progression higher than what they’re earning.
This warmed my heart, partly because in my teenage years, I had a dream (to be a fashion journalist) and was always a bit afraid to admit it.
When someone asks you what you want to do for a living and your mouth goes dry – namely because you know they’ll look at you, feign an interest and think “she’s lost the plot” – it can foster a defeatist attitude.
Media isn’t the easiest industry to get ahead in and, as I’m from a small town in the West of Ireland, people tend to look at me as if I’ve ten heads when I describe my chosen career.
I went for the Arts route as a student because, although writing was my passion, the sensible part of me felt I should keep my options open.
Nearing the end of my degree, I played the “what am I going to do with the rest of my life?” game on a daily basis, which only served to freak me out more.
After leaving college, I dabbled in TEFL to see if I had what it takes to train as a teacher.
Let’s just say I quickly discovered that my severe lack of patience and fear of going back to school ruled that career path out pretty quickly.
Then came my Journalism Masters which had its own set of problems.
Those in charge were disillusioned with the industry and dashed my naive hopes of landing a job straight after college.
Instead there were multiple internships and a lot of anxiety about what would come next.
Another career might have meant more money in a shorter space of time but would I change anything? No way.
For a time, I seriously doubted if it was possible to make a living from doing something I love because for me, that is the dream.
This belief was reinforced again this week after interviewing jewellery designer Chupi who could masquerade as a life coach if ever the need arises.
She was vociferous about the need “to feel buzzed about what you do every morning going to work” and I couldn’t agree more.
It’s all too easy fall down the rabbit hole of self-doubt, where you end up questioning yourself and every career decision you’ve ever made.
While fashion is my main area of interest, my current position allows me to try my hand at different topics.
I recently met Baby Spice (childhood dream realised), I’ve interviewed fashion designer Paul Costelloe (an absolute legend) and every day, I get to write about things that excite me while working with the best pals around.
You need to be convinced of your own decision and that doing something you love will pay off in the end (excuse the terrible pun).
That’s not to say it’s going to be easy because it isn’t. There are long days and nightmare scenarios and sometimes it feels like you’re never going to get everything on that list crossed off.
It doesn’t matter though because all of these minor stresses will resolve themselves. Why?
The answer is very simple, because you’re doing something you love which means you take pride in it which means you’re onto a winner.
Complicated? Yes. Difficult? Yes. Worth it? Always.
Trust me on this one. I know.
