'Being yourself' as a New Career Path

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The three-year-old strikes again.

I had a big laugh when Olive shared her future career plans with me. To the question, what do you want to become when you grow up?, with characteristic confidence, she responded, 'I want to be myself.' I know what you think. This is just one of those imagined, thirsty for likes Instagram stories. But no, my friends. She really said it. And when I stopped giggling, I started thinking.

Not because there's something very profound about it. My niece is no future Dalai lama spreading the word of wisdom (or is she?). But it makes sense to find a job, or a way of life, in general, that is in tune with one's nature. And I can already hear the loud voices of motivational coaches preaching perseverance through tough times, stepping outside of our comfort zone. And I don't entirely refute the 'what-doesn't-kill-you-makes-you-stronger' idea.

I merely ask myself where to draw the line between pushing yourself and acting against your nature. Why force a shy person to chitchat in a huge party crowd. Why put a people person in a cubicle with a spreadsheet to fill from 9 to 5. The truth is, we do this to ourselves. We choose money over mental comfort, security over fulfillment, other people's opinions over our own. We fight our own nature. 

But this is just part of the truth. 

The other part is that it is a typical example of a first-world problem. Some people don't have the luxury of even reflecting upon it. Does the last comment diminish my whole point? Or does it make it even stronger? You weigh in on that. I will surely ask my niece about the future plans in a few years, and then again and again. 

I dread the answers already. Boy, will they change... 


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