I never had a big career. I had jobs before I was married, but I have mostly been a homemaker all of these years. Many people in my circle had meaningful careers -- my brother, my sister, my father, both of my grandmothers. My husband has worked in cancer research for the last 20 years. I'd say that's meaningful work. Many researchers and medical personnel are doing very meaningful work.
But there are more types of meaningful work. The family who raises cattle to sell to us in the form of beef is doing very meaningful work, in my opinion. The men who pick up our garbage every week have meaningful jobs. My friend who is a teacher in the public school system, here, is daily doing meaningful work. There's a long list of types of public work that are meaningful.
What about the work that outsiders never see?
I stayed up at nights when my babies had croup. I cuddled my toddlers when teething pain seemed to overwhelm them. I taught all three how to read and write. I'd say that was meaningful work.
Today I was digging potatoes. My trowel scooped up dirt to reveal purple and red beauties hidden beneath the surface of one of the beds. I piled them into a box and watched the amount grow. I had a moment when I thought, "now this is meaningful work, too." Growing food and cooking for my family has been meaningful work. Providing a warm and welcoming home for family to return to every night is meaningful work. That's not to say that women who choose to have careers aren't also doing meaningful work. Nor does it suggest that career women can't make their homes a welcoming refuge from the world for their families. Both ways are meaningful.
What made me think about this today? I had a long phone meeting this morning, fielding retirement-related advice for my husband. The advisor asked about my work history. I felt I had the need to explain how my life as a homemaker has been a meaningful one. I didn't over explain, but I did feel like I needed to compensate and be the most articulate version of myself. I know I've been valuable to my family, but I often think others don't see it. Meaningful work has many faces.
Some day in the future, my mind won't work as well as it does now. But I'll still be able to plant and dig potatoes, albeit more slowly than now and with stiffened joints. I'll still have meaningful work.
What a good observation. I would add that your husband has been able to work in his career because you were managing the needs of house and family. I can think of many other examples, but all to say, while some careers seem more "meaningful " we are all interdependent.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kris.
DeleteA long time ago, the actor Ernie Hudson said that he felt that every kind of job done well is very important. It doesn't matter what it is, people are depending on you to show up and just do it whether it's in the home, office, fast food or what have you. My job has been like yours mainly in the home. I also took advantage of any job that fell in my lap...house cleaning, babysitting, store clerk. My favorite is full time right here at home!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
DeleteMy father used to say something similar as Ernie Hudson -- an honest job is a good job. I tend to agree with that sentiment.
When I went from a well-paid professional job, to a SAHM, I felt like I needed to defend myself for my choice. I don't know if people were really judging me, or if I was putting that on myself. I think more of that judgement happens when people are younger and trying to establish themselves in the world. As we get older, we realize that all work is important and what is meaningful for one person is not necessarily what the next person wants to be doing. I will say I hope you're proud because you have done your meaningful work very well. I'm sure you will continue to excel with whatever you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Live and Learn. So you've lived on both sides of the coin. I think it's a mix concerning judgement. Some people do make those sorts of judgements. But then sometimes I think we just become defensive unnecessarily and assume someone is judging us when they're not.
DeleteI think all work that helps anyone including yourself is meaningful work. I think it’s true that in society we tend to value and rank jobs, but that’s simply our ego speaking in my opinion. I think we definitely teach our children the value of work by modeling our intention, and that’s the important thing.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day,
Laura
Hi Laura,
DeleteI completely agree how important it is to show our children through our actions how to respect and value work, doing a job well ourselves and appreciating other's work.
I hope you're enjoying a lovely evening, Laura.
I hope this helps. I am a professional in a field that is primarily seasonal. I have had family and friends who have a mixed view of what I do. I have also spent most of my year gardening, baking, canning, cleaning and do all kinds of nonpaid work. I feel fulfilled in both. For 5 years I also worked a regular job which allowed us as a family to move forward with several financial goals. (Did I mention I have a adult child who is special needs?) With all of that I found the extra job that everyone was so glad I was able to get to be the capping blow. That made me feel unfulfilled. My career is to home make and help people with their taxes. I enjoy helping people. I enjoy making my house a home. I look to bloggers the same way my aunt used to read magazines. I love the fresh ideas you bring to us. Last week you talked about your garden in the long term. You talked about food choices. You made me think of making salsa differently. You do meaningful work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Amy. And thank you for sharing your personal experience and insight.
DeleteI was a SAHM for years. I loved my job as a bookkeeper, but we moved so often for my dh’s job, and the more kids I had, the more difficult paying for daycare became. My Dh told me one time he would be unable to do his job, which paid much better, if I wasn’t home handling everything else. I went back to work when I had a couple drivers to help get kids where they needed to be. We wanted to provide some pretty expensive activities for the kids we simply couldn’t do without a second income. I worked for 8 yrs, and quit when I saw more value in being home than going to a job I hated. I was still doing all the housework, most of the cooking, and just all the things required to keep the house running, on top of working. I was fortunate to have the choice of working or not. Some don’t have a choice.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
DeleteIt sounds like you made the right choices as they were needed. And I agree, I feel fortunate to have been able to choose to work in the home. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I worked in an office for 50 years. Someone asked me recently what I do all day now. Let’s see…fed the cats, fed the dog, fed the bees, fed the chickens, fed the horses, fed my sourdough starter, fed me and hubby. Cleaned the stalls, cleaned the coops, cleaned the litter box, cleaned the pool, cleaned the house, set dough to rise, made lunch, made after school snacks for grandkids, picked up grandkids from school and delivered them to their house, picked up daughter’s house and helped kids with homework because I remember what it’s like to work full time with kids, came home, set bread for second rising, picked the last of the beans from garden for dinner. Cooked dinner, did laundry, baked bread, put away laundry, fed cats, fed dog, made last trip to barn to close up horse and chickens, got ready for the next day. She said “sounds like an exhausting day”. I thought to myself “sounds like a blessed day”.Not a single fluorescent light or desk chair in sight. Annie
ReplyDelete