What Defines a "Real Job"? - a Heart-to-Heart with my WA Family
February of 2019 I signed a "contract" with my parents. It entailed that there were rules to living in the house, now that I am 21. Do daily chores, no heavy drinking, and once I was out of college next year I would have to pay 200 in rent a month. I found this reasonable, but one part was the kicker for me: by the end of the 2019 summer, I would have to get a "real job".
But what defines a "real job"? Apparently, according to my parents, anything that was offline and required me to go outside and learn social skills and have motivation to succeed.
I can understand their fears and desires; I have severe mental illnesses, among them being the emotional beast known as chronic psychotic disorder, making it very very hard for me to exist in a social setting. I am medicated, but it doesn't make my problems magically dissapear. They want me to grow as a person and overcome my social anxiety and be able to function among strangers and authority figures. They care emmensely about my health, and I love that they do.
But to me, a "real job" is so much more than than just working at a desk or register. I've had two real jobs online, one working as quality assurance officer on a website where user-submitted works needed to be moderated before their work could be seen by the public. I also worked as an online video captioner and audio transcriber under an independant contract.
Now, my "real job" is working on my blog here on WA, and creating a site that can earn an income for me. I created a routine like a real job: get up at 7:30 am every day, get a shower and get dressed nicely for work, work for 8+ hours and wait for an income to appear.
My parent's aren't too happy with my choice.
I've applied to over 40 local locations for a "real job". So far, this summer, I have only had two interviews out of 40 applications, both of which were utter failures on my part. Even the interviewers didn't consider my online work experience as "real job experience".
And now I'm stuck. College starts August 19 and I am no closer to appeasing my parent's request for a "real job". Would I even be happy having a "real job"...
I've been so happy here. It's been such a nice change of pace to my previous online jobs. The thought of earning money from my passion enthrals me and motivates me every day. Isn't this motivation to succeed part of what they wanted?
I talk to strangers every day, here on WA, my website, and on social media platforms for my website. Isn't this social interaction what they wanted?
I gave myself a daily routine where I actually take care of myself - I dress nice, I brush my teeth, I get up before noon... Isn't this routine what they wanted?
Struggling with mental illness is a beast, but I have been actively trying to make my passion a "real job" but it's not what they want. What do I do...? I fear the impact on my mental health, working at a register. I fear I'll fall into a dark pit and the stress will make me do something I might regret...
WA family, I could really use a heart-to-heart with you. I need help.
Recent Comments
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You may want to look into doing freelance writing on a content mill or freelance site. You know have SEO and writing skills which is in demand.
Writing for others as you build your own business is a great way to have consistent income and show your parents you have done your part. But more importantly it works within your mental health issues. So that may be the best approach.
I hadn't even thought of that. I will definitely check that out, that sounds like something I'd be happy and stress-free doing. Thank you so much.
Surely a real job is anywhere that you can turn a profit Jordon. If you have websites making money then to me that is a real job.
Derek
Is your site making any money yet? If not, a "real job" may be your only option for now, to meet your parents agreement. You will only need it until you get your site making consistent income. Keep working hard on your site and it will all work out.
Ask yourself what you would do in their shoes.
Thank you for the advice, and thank you for doing so politely, I really appreciate it. There's a little hope; I made $6 while I was sleeping last night - my first money out of the site. I know I should grit my teeth and bear it until it becomes a stable income, but I greatly fear my depression, the stress-induced psychosis, and the uh... the thoughts of the "s" word. The word that follows depression.
I have been through severe depression and I highly recommend you see a doctor and get some help. I have been on anti-depressants for years and I guarantee they help tremendously.
In all fairness, by "real job", your parents are referring to a regular (predictable) paycheck. Unless and until that occurs for you via WA and your blogging, you are not living up to your end of the contract.
Kinda hard to live up to my end when I've only got 2 interviews out of 40 applications *shrugs* but that's my two cents.
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Hi Jordan
Sometimes especially in the early days, nobody considers what we are doing here online, work, however to me it is work every day, learning and building onto my website and knowing it will create income which will grow makes it a job
When I 1st started playing guitar and singing I wasn't doing this publically but every day I worked hard learning songs, writing and becoming more and more professional until the day I went out and did it as a show and made very good money.
Behind the scenes it is work so maybe share this with your parents so they understand
Vicki
Thank you for the motivation, my parent's words can make me a little bit discouraged at times. I know, if I set my heart to it, I can make this site my full-time job.
Yes, you sure can- It takes loads of hard work and determination to keep focused and Yes, I believe you will do it and do it amazingly
Go well
Vicki