"So when will you get a real job?"

Is a question I hate.

A question that makes me laugh.

A question that annoys me as hell.

And, unfortunately, one that I've been encountering many times over. 

Even from the people I thought would know better, from people I would expect more of...

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Quite a while back, I came across a site everyobody looking for alternative ways 'to make it work' comes across - The Art of Non-Confirmity and joined Chris's newsletter. 

I regret to admit I rarely read those, usually storing them in a seperate folder "for later". Today in the morning read one of the first emails I got from him, "The Decision to Be Remarkable" where he describes his experience with the "real job" question. The timing couldn't be more perfect, seeing how I've recently resigned from a "real job" and am, yet again, bending my head backwards over the idea: what next?

Resigning wasn't a decision I made lightly and I'd discussed it with many people, shared my feelings and plans. What do you think, how many times did I hear: But when will you look for a new job? When will you get real?

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Let me share with you what Chris thinks of it, as these are my exact thoughts (allowed myself to stress what I found most important):

Along the way I went back to school to do a graduate program in International Relations, and when I finished, a friend of a friend asked, "So now will you finally go and get a real job?"

Hmmm... It was kind of like they were asking, "Well, Chris, are you ready to grow up now?"
To be honest, my first thought of how to respond to that question was not very nice. I don't have anything against real jobs, but I also have no interest in following a path that I personally find unfulfilling.

Thankfully, turning 30 years old did bring about a certain maturity, even if the desire to be like everyone else has remained elusive. Instead of saying what I first thought, I just said, "Sorry to disappoint you - but I probably won't be getting the kind of job you'd like me to have any time soon."
In other words... "I will not meet those expectations."
(...)

The decision is deceptively simple: begin making your own choices, and stand out from many of the people around you. It's simple because that's really all there is to it -- think for yourself instead of following the crowd, then begin to take actions to align what you do with what you believe.
It's deceptive, however, because whenever you begin to do this, you'll encounter more than your share of opposition from people who want you to do things their way. Some of them will say your ideas or goals are unrealistic. I say, "life is short." Finding a way to do what we want while also helping others is the most important work we can do.

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So, to answer just about everybody (myself included, as I, of course, doubt everything about me and my choices, like way too often):

I don't think I'll be getting a "real job" soon.

:)