I have always impressed upon my teens the importance of finding a career in which you love what you do. It won't feel like work and you will actually look forward to it each day. My older son, a computer addict since he was six years old, majored in computer science and now does computer programming for a social gaming and networking website. He loves his job. Hopefully my younger son, still in college will be as lucky. I am now also doing what I love; writing about pop culture, television, and technology. But I have learned that there is a downside to combining your passions and your work.
I find that it is now difficult for me to relax and be "off duty". Most of my hobbies and interests are exactly what I am now writing about. When my favorite magazine, Entertainment Weekly, arrives, I now read it more with an eye to what might be blogworthy than for relaxation. The same thing occurs when I watch television, go to the movies or listen to music. Browsing the Internet puts me into overdrive. Last night I attended an event as part of Back2Broadway month in New York. A panel of Broadway producers spoke about their craft. I was about to take notes when I forced myself to sit back and enjoy and forget about writing.
Now that I write a Television page for the Examiner.com, it has gotten even worse, because I am looking for even more TV stories. I recently was recommended two great television recap sites, one for PrimeTime TV and the other for DayTime TV. My first thoughts were, these will be great for catching up on shows to blog about, and I can blog about these sites. The funny part is that I was recommended these sites as places to relax with because I enjoy television. The worst was with my weekly blogging about Lost. I was so busy taking notes during each Lost episode, it was affecting my enjoyment of my favorite show. I solved that by watching the first time just as a viewer (it feels like heaven) and then rewatching from my DVR for my blog post.
Don't get me wrong. I would still rather work in what I love, and have less relaxation, then to have a job that I have no interest in. I am not complaining at all. I am just making an observation because I never thought that there could be any downside to doing what you love. I have found a good way to relax finally. I play Wurdle and Bejeweled on my iPhone. My head clears and I think of nothing else, not even television, pop culture or technology.
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Great write up! I too believe in loving your job, but also know the pangs of downtime due to it. But again, it's as if we feel guilty when we do something we enjoy. I know that I can be spread to thin.. but when you do love it.. keep it going.. we never know how long we will be on this earth.
"I now read it more with an eye to what might be blogworthy than for relaxation." I do the same thing! Always looking for the next inspiration. The editor is always on.
I can't tell you HOW many times I've said, "There's a good blog title!" when my girlfriend is on the phone spilling her guts to me. I'm listening for blog ideas at all times, rather than fully being present. Guilty!! Not that I'll turn around and write what she is going through. That's her story. But if it resonates with me and one of my stories...that's what I'm looking for.
When writing requires so much planning and thinking, it's hard to JUST PEEL THE APPLE when you're peeling the apple for your son's lunch. The mind is always working...on what I love...but working...
I so relate to this. I'm the kind of person who typically manages to combine vocation and avocation (Do what you love....) but you get to points where the things that were fun, are now work. Blogging used to be a me-time activity. Sometimes it still is, but like you, I sometimes feel beholden to the Internets.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I definitely feel that. I can't watch a tv show, movie, or even read a book or magazine article without taking notes, or thinking about whether I should do a blog post about it.
That's a great idea to just force ourselves to relax sometimes.
My oldest daughter goes to therapy once a week. I admit, that hour in the lobby waiting for her, has become one of my therapeutic because I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, but I can use the time to read, listen to my iPod and otherwise just be.