Mark Twain is credited with the quote: "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life." That makes sense at first blush: if you like something and are able to support yourself doing it, why wouldn't you be happy?
Like Twain, I'm a writer. Alas I cannot take credit for dreaming up recognized literary characters like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, but I am fortunate to be employed as a small-time journalist for Pique Newsmagazine. They pay me to exercise one of my lifelong passions: I get to write about the formidable athletes, gifted creatives and varied happenings in our town.
My job fits me well and some aspects of it (like Crankworx or a World Championship) are particularly enjoyable… but I still don't fully agree with Twain because writing for work will never be the same as writing for fun.
During my childhood, I authored Winnie the Pooh fanfiction by hand in large notebooks procured by my mom. It sounds corny as heck, but that was how naturally the written word came to me. As years passed, I began to try my hand at more mature, less derivative projects taking the form of both science fiction and fantasy universes.
Yet these activities often get put on hold. I love writing, but I manage how much of it is done in my spare time. Were I to ever feel burnt out as a writer, that'd be disastrous for my job.
Twain likely meant to say that an individual who enjoys their career won't be miserable doing it, but let's be real: any job can feel like work sometimes because our employment duties are not ours to choose. In a perfect world I could spend as much time as I want penning fiction, but in this world the bulk of my writing energy goes toward Pique assignments because I've got bills to pay.
Folks who freelance or run their own businesses don't deal with manager-imposed tasks or deadlines, but in exchange they field all kinds of added responsibility. You might love what you do, but you're not going to love working insane hours to make ends meet during hard times.
My point being: it's great to love your job, but it's also key to hold realistic expectations about your day-to-day routine. Not everything is going to be fun, and that's normal. Too much of a good thing can also be unhealthy outside of work.
Looking for balance
Years ago, I spoke to a friend whom I once attended Bible camp with. He loves cars, and I wondered why he'd quit his job at a garage to be the assistant cook at camp. His response went something along the lines of: "After a while, I realized that being employed as a mechanic took the joy out of working on cars for me."
Weeks ago I talked with a different friend, a professional ski racer who expressed a similar notion. She loves competing and skiing for fun, but skiing to train feels at times like a necessary chore associated with her career.
I'm a huge sports fan, and in the past I've burned many hours keeping up with various leagues. I am known to get up early, stay up late and do whatever it takes to enjoy games without being spoiled (and without ignoring other aspects of life). Yet this spring, I've only watched two NHL playoff games on my own time… more or less heretical behaviour for a Canadian and a self-professed "fan."
A Stanley Cup Final between the hated Edmonton Oilers (I'm from Calgary) and the Florida Panthers who just won a title last year does not pique my interest. More importantly: my brain needs a break from sports. I still cover them at work, but finding other things to do in my spare time helps me do that without feeling overloaded.
Here's my point: any activity can become negative when done to excess. We've all heard the term "work-life balance," but perhaps "hobby balance" can be just as good for you. I'm a writer, a sports fan, a casual gym-goer, a movie buff, a sci-fi geek, a very part-time improv artist and more… that kind of variety benefits my overall growth more than if I were just a nerd or just a jock, etc.
Of course, there are still locals who might read this and continue to spend 100-plus days skiing every winter. To each their own, I suppose.
