He’d been plagued with long-term unemployment for quite some time before this, and really I think he was supposed to be a comedian and not a worker bee.
Megan shares her own struggles with unemployment and adds on with a story of her cousin who took their life after being let go from a job.
The comment about being a comedian really sticks out to me. I’ve met wonderful people in my life who feel so beautifully suited to artist endeavors that bring joy and beauty into the world. At the same time they struggle to fit into the mold of what is often expected of someone in the workforce.
I’m incredibly thankful every day that I’ve found a pursuit that aligns enough with my interests and ability to make an income. At times I consider it a fluke and hold my breath to see how long it will last. I’ve also modified my career path a half dozen times to follow my interests and keep learning; partially out of boredom, and partially out of curiosity. I’m so thankful that it’s been enough to pay the bills and provide a career for myself and my family. But I know many others who haven’t found that venn diagram, and my heart goes out to them.
I think about Leonardo Da Vinci, as called out in a fantastic biography. He spent months or years on projects, at times had to do work to make ends meet, but often fell under the good graces of a wealthy patron who supported his lifestyle knowing that his artistic and scientific skills would ultimately benefit them.
I wish more of that existed, where someone’s talents could be used in a way that matched their skills and abilities, and in the way that their own brain wanted to function. I support this wherever I can with young people, and try all kinds of tricks to make work feel like play.