I’m currently reading a book on a Japanese concept called Ikigai about finding your purpose and leading a long, fulfilled life. You can read an introduction here – https://www.calm.com/blog/ikigai
After a difficult week at work and home I’ve been feeling quite down over the weekend and wondering why I have rarely if ever felt a sense of fulfilment in this – or any previous – job in IT, and whether it’s even a reasonable expectation in the modern office environment. I’d suggest I sit in the “profession” section of the Venn diagram, and once AI fully kicks in I suspect I will get squeezed out of the “What you can get paid for” circle too.
Have I wasted my life going down a career path that suited my skills but that I never really wanted? Is there a multiverse version of me that opted to go into journalism and writing and loves what they do? Or would they have felt just the same about having to file newspaper stories of minor traffic accidents and school fairs?
To try and break me out of my ennui Wor Lass decided we should get out of the house and spend some time together, even if it’s just wandering round the shops, so that’s what we did.
Even though we only visited the local mall it did pick me up a bit, then I stumbled across something that redeemed the whole weekend – Post-It Notes!
I know that’s a really pathetic thing to get excited about, however they are one of my small obsessions. My daily routine involves filling in a large Post-It note as I start work, listing each the tasks I need to complete that day, in order of importance, and that helps me prioritize and stay organized. If I don’t have a Post-It note list made up I feel lost all day.
New Zealand has always been poor at stocking genuine branded Post-Its, typically selling the generic cheapos that don’t stick properly or have completely the wrong shade of yellow (yeah I know!). I’ve spent hours on previous trips to the UK seeking out the right size of Post-It note and stocking up on them when I do. But today I found some – and in UPPER HUTT! – AND they were cheaper than they are in the UK!! Naturally I grabbed a handful, which should last me a year at least. Another little obsession is good quality pens – they must be black ink, have a comfortable grip, and have a satisfying on/off clicker. I treat myself to a pack of those so I’m never without something to write with, and to top it off a new roll of proper Sellotape that doesn’t split or come loose within a few hours like the cheap stuff.
I might not have found my ikigai just yet, but least I can look at my stationery drawer and feel a little spike of happiness.
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