Our occupation is what we do with our time. It can be our job, a hobby we invest a lot of time and energy into, or a project. Everything we spend time doing shapes us and becomes a part of who we are. So, when I change jobs, get a new title, new tasks, new colleagues, and a new place in society, is it also changing my identity? And if I miss old occupations, am I also missing who I used to be?
For example, I used to do a lot of exploratory creative work for various projects. I didn’t realize it at the time, but since I changed my occupation from a design practitioner to a teacher, I no longer spend hours a day exploring visual combinations. If I am only teaching, not doing, can I still see myself as the same person I used to be? Sure, I still remember and know all I’ve learned, but is it as valid as doing it?
There are so many creative things we do when we’re younger, before we get serious with a career trajectory, reaching financial goals, and trying to become “responsible” adults. All those things are what make it fun to be in the creative fields. I miss it, and I’m going to try to get back to it.