" I worry that my writing is frivolous and inconsequential."
You know it's funny, but it's all these so-called "real" jobs are the truly frivolous and inconsequential roles in life.
The more pointless and ridiculous the task, the more the reward. If your spend you time unnecessarily complicating the lives of others or forcibly inserting technology into otherwise perfectly-well functioning relationships, or helping to push the Earth over its latest tipping point, then your most likely sitting pretty.
And the way people identify with these "frivolous and inconsequential" jobs, weaving themselves into the bizarre micro-culture and mentality of the workplace, happily doing the required feather dances to prove their importance or non-threatening acquiescence. I find the whole thing terrifying and sad. Especially since we're left with almost no other choice but to throw our lives into the black hole of pointless tasks. Me included.
So I say stand tall Rohan, even though the marketplace punishes anyone who wants to tackle the human condition and report on life itself through writing, there is nothing more honourable and important.
I also cringe at saying "I'm a writer", not because the first question is always "what have you had published?" but because most of my income is also gained through frivolous and inconsequential activity, which makes me feel like a fraud claiming writer-ship. But I am a writer. An observer. A re-teller, describing my own narrow pathways of experience from the great pattern of events.
And so are you. I've really enjoyed reading your writing so keep it up. I'm no mathematician, but one less lawyer and one more writer sounds like an excellent formula to me ;)
I've been reading your comment over a few times, Jonathan, and I'm struck by how these uncomfortable feelings I felt were unique to me are, in fact, so common. My day job is my sole source of livelihood and calling myself a writer does feel like cheating because I don't earn from it.
Thank you for reading and your wise words. "Describing my own narrow pathways of experience from the great pattern of events" is a wonderful way of describing what we try to do. And it's heartening to know so many people are doing the same.
Such a lovely and honest post Rohan. Thanks to Ayush this landed on my feed. Hard relate to so many things that go on in my head. And it is so good to know that we are not special and others are going through same things.
You're one of my favourite writers on this platform and after reading this - I would love to meet you and discuss all the so called uncommon trivia you know.😁
I got over this writer hump thing some years back when I submitted an article to a magazine and told the editor that I am an aspiring writer. He wrote back saying some nice things and then called out this specifically and told me you're a writer because you've written this. He rejected my article 😂 but that feedback stuck with me. Since then I've been calling myself a writer unashamedly.
Also, hard related on this and many topics touched upon in this article.
1. You could say you make people laugh (so, so, true and substack is fulllll of my odes to your ability to make me ROFLMAO) or think (same as above)
2. You could say you write, think, hike, LIVE most of the time and dabble in lawyerly matters some of the time (true and interesting and fun and will definitely up your mystique)
3. You could maintain a mysterious silence and create that kinda aura for yourself
I was at a breakfast meetup the other day and we were asked to introduce ourselves without talking about our professions. Brought up some very interesting intros!
Haha, all great suggestions and worth trying the next time I am fielding this question.
Your breakfast meeting sounds wonderful. What a great way to interact with people. Our professional identities take up so much space - how freeing to set them aside and spotlight other aspects of the self.
I absolutely love this. Resonate with it on so many levels. I feel like you wrote my mind. I am currently in a job like you described and writing here again feeling like you. But you give me hope through your writing.
Good job. I have been that guy who stands in the corner sipping clear liquid and I would have loved that harakiri conversation :). Waiting for the next one
This post really hit home for me, even though I do have a REAL job. I keep looking at people in cafes in front of laptops, who look like they are doing REAL work. And I wonder what it takes to take work that seriously. Love your writing!
" I worry that my writing is frivolous and inconsequential."
You know it's funny, but it's all these so-called "real" jobs are the truly frivolous and inconsequential roles in life.
The more pointless and ridiculous the task, the more the reward. If your spend you time unnecessarily complicating the lives of others or forcibly inserting technology into otherwise perfectly-well functioning relationships, or helping to push the Earth over its latest tipping point, then your most likely sitting pretty.
And the way people identify with these "frivolous and inconsequential" jobs, weaving themselves into the bizarre micro-culture and mentality of the workplace, happily doing the required feather dances to prove their importance or non-threatening acquiescence. I find the whole thing terrifying and sad. Especially since we're left with almost no other choice but to throw our lives into the black hole of pointless tasks. Me included.
So I say stand tall Rohan, even though the marketplace punishes anyone who wants to tackle the human condition and report on life itself through writing, there is nothing more honourable and important.
I also cringe at saying "I'm a writer", not because the first question is always "what have you had published?" but because most of my income is also gained through frivolous and inconsequential activity, which makes me feel like a fraud claiming writer-ship. But I am a writer. An observer. A re-teller, describing my own narrow pathways of experience from the great pattern of events.
And so are you. I've really enjoyed reading your writing so keep it up. I'm no mathematician, but one less lawyer and one more writer sounds like an excellent formula to me ;)
I've been reading your comment over a few times, Jonathan, and I'm struck by how these uncomfortable feelings I felt were unique to me are, in fact, so common. My day job is my sole source of livelihood and calling myself a writer does feel like cheating because I don't earn from it.
Thank you for reading and your wise words. "Describing my own narrow pathways of experience from the great pattern of events" is a wonderful way of describing what we try to do. And it's heartening to know so many people are doing the same.
Resonated so well with this. Please keep writing.
Thanks a lot!
Your wife sounds like a nice and cute person
Yes, I'm good at making her sound like that. 😂
Such a lovely and honest post Rohan. Thanks to Ayush this landed on my feed. Hard relate to so many things that go on in my head. And it is so good to know that we are not special and others are going through same things.
Thanks a lot for reading, Rakhi. Glad it resonated and fully agree. :)
You're one of my favourite writers on this platform and after reading this - I would love to meet you and discuss all the so called uncommon trivia you know.😁
This was such a fun read :)
Thanks a lot, Abhishek! Very kind of you.
Done. If you visit Mumbai, you can look forward to coffee and trivia. 😄
I got over this writer hump thing some years back when I submitted an article to a magazine and told the editor that I am an aspiring writer. He wrote back saying some nice things and then called out this specifically and told me you're a writer because you've written this. He rejected my article 😂 but that feedback stuck with me. Since then I've been calling myself a writer unashamedly.
Also, hard related on this and many topics touched upon in this article.
One imitator of petrified wood (in social situations) to another, no comment on one your posts would be completely without saying -
1. Loved, LOVED, LOVVVVVVEEEEEDDDDD this post!
2. Plis to make Mrs. B also write!!!
Delayed reaction but i have some thoughts -
1. You could say you make people laugh (so, so, true and substack is fulllll of my odes to your ability to make me ROFLMAO) or think (same as above)
2. You could say you write, think, hike, LIVE most of the time and dabble in lawyerly matters some of the time (true and interesting and fun and will definitely up your mystique)
3. You could maintain a mysterious silence and create that kinda aura for yourself
I was at a breakfast meetup the other day and we were asked to introduce ourselves without talking about our professions. Brought up some very interesting intros!
Haha, all great suggestions and worth trying the next time I am fielding this question.
Your breakfast meeting sounds wonderful. What a great way to interact with people. Our professional identities take up so much space - how freeing to set them aside and spotlight other aspects of the self.
I hope and look forward to a post about how the implementation of these strategies went 😂
Excellent writing, Rohan, as always. You should say "I am a writer". This is well deserved 👏
Thanks so much, Sanjay!
I absolutely love this. Resonate with it on so many levels. I feel like you wrote my mind. I am currently in a job like you described and writing here again feeling like you. But you give me hope through your writing.
Thanks so much, Sruthy! More than anything it gives me hope to see so many feel the same way I do. All the best with your job and writing! :)
Just the post I needed to read. Beautiful, honest, nuanced. There's so much heart in it. Thank you so much for writing this Rohan.
Thanks a lot, Krishnakant! So glad you enjoyed reading it.
Beautiful
Thank you, Namit!
Another human arrow! Honestly every NL of yours allows me to feel human and to drop the knife to remove my imperfections!
Lucky you have a spouse who believes in you blindly. All the best! Keep writing
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sudha! Really appreciate it.
Good job. I have been that guy who stands in the corner sipping clear liquid and I would have loved that harakiri conversation :). Waiting for the next one
Thanks, man! We should have that conversation whenever we meet.
Loved this. I quit my job recently and I think this captures very well some of my worries for the days to come :)
Thanks so much, Sailee! All the best for the days to come. :)
P. S.: Your newsletter is wonderful!
This post really hit home for me, even though I do have a REAL job. I keep looking at people in cafes in front of laptops, who look like they are doing REAL work. And I wonder what it takes to take work that seriously. Love your writing!
Thanks so much! Maybe the trick is to fake it till you make it.