Have you ever had the impression that you don’t belong? It’s a distinct impression from not feeling welcomed. You could feel like you belong, even if you aren’t welcomed, and you can feel welcomed and feel like you don’t belong.
If you’re having a hard time appreciating the nuance, think back to places you’ve lived, to any social club you’ve ever joined, all grade levels of school, and of course work.
Is the distinction clearer?
Now, for my next question. What is the longest amount of time it’s taken you to accept a truth? Did the time duration of your acceptance have any impact whatsoever on the validity of that truth?
In my case, it did not. For 15 years I waited, adapted, placated and acquiesced, and never thrived; but on January 13, 2023, that all changed. I’d never been a part of a reduction in force before and the experience did leave a lasting impression on me, from an employment perspective. I left work the evening before with a job, I woke up the next morning without one. It wasn’t personal, and I can absolutely appreciate that business is business.
I was actually relieved, like the way you feel after being able to drop a piece of heavy luggage after 16 hours of travel. You see, the truth that I failed to accept for 15 years is this, I didn’t belong. I can hear you now, ‘Oh yeah, company fit is so important. It’s key to find the right culture…’ no, no, no, that isn’t what I mean.
I don’t belong inside the concept of career as we (our society) currently define and live the term. Maybe there’s another reality where career and I would be copacetic. For the life of me though, I didn’t have the gumption to leave…for both legitimate and illegitimate reasons. This has been a year of exploration, and in my travels I’ve come to appreciate the myriad of solutions we have at our disposal to meet financial obligations and life’s other responsibilities.
I’ve left the path, but I’m following the spoor of earlier explorers who found a new way. There are alternative routes to my intended destination, this is my adventure.
‘So, what are you going to do?’
I’m not going to do it, I’m doing it right now.
Quick shout out! Gracias mucho mamacita, я тебя люблю ; )
Speaking of adventure, we just launched a newsletter called Wholesome & Wholistic and that announcement brings me to the purpose of this impromptu post.
We need help! We’re looking for data on the concept of Adventure. Our hypothesis is that we all want it, well all need it, but too many of us don’t have it, know how to build it, or know where to find it.
The Survey: 7 Questions
Your Life, Your Adventure, Redefined