You Are Not Defined by What You Do
Let’s debunk the myth and go deeper to answer the question, “who am I?”
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself”
I’m a writer and a maker. More specifically, I create content for my two sites, contribute here on Medium, as well as create physical and digital products for my Etsy shop.
Like most people, I find it difficult to separate who I am from what I do. My work is my passion. I’m captivated with not just the results, but the work itself.
It pushes me, challenges me, and makes me who I am. Or does it?
A Question of Worth
As a culture, we tend to define ourselves, and each other, by our careers and interests. When we first meet someone, “what do you do?” is the usual go-to question. When we run into someone we haven’t seen in a while, it’s natural to ask about the person’s career or other notable pursuits.
This isn’t necessarily wrong. Our work and interests are an integral part of our individuality. The problem is when we feel solely defined by these external factors.
