Dec 2, 2021
What Happens When You Have A 9–5 That Is Not Your Passion
2021 has been a combination of shit show and bliss
“They keep telling you, you’ll have time to do other things, but there is no time,” were the words of D. D, Jen, and I all worked together at the University Media center for years before we were arbitrarily transferred to other departments where we were rendered redundant or at best-doing something we didn’t sign up for or don’t have passion for.
Jen and I were presenters and we were employed as professionals for the institution’s radio station. D is a cinematographer who was also employed as such. Around March this year, without any prior notice, we were told our transfer letters had arrived and we had been transferred to other departments to perform administrative duties.
“Excuse me, what!” was my reaction. I am a broadcaster because it is what I love doing and I applied for this job because it was a broadcasting job. Why would anyone think it was okay to do that?
I have been oscillating between resigning and sticking it out a little longer. Everyone around me keeps telling me, it is a government job, it gives you security and it gives you time.
That was the discussion the three of us were having.
I understand the fears of those advising me not to quit yet especially when I don’t have any sustainable income yet from other sources.
I spent the earlier part of the year attending a film producing course and it was one of the best experiences I have had so far this year. My passion for storytelling getting honed further. Spending time with creatives like me and working on projects that I truly care about.
If you know anything about the film and content business, it is that it is time-consuming and jealous. When you are making a film, especially when you are at the filming stage, you have to be there. It doesn’t allow for you to go for a few hours and come back no matter the role you are playing.
It doesn’t feel right to me that I should be taking time off all the time or be truant at the job while I chase my passion. But working between 8am — 5pm every day leaves no room for me to actually put in the effort and work that my passion requires.
How much time do you have to actually then do what you really want when you have spent the most productive hours of your day doing what you are not interested in. What happens is you get overworked without any rest days in between.
It takes away your rest days, days you are meant to make a meal for yourself and just relax and spend time with your friends and family. It takes away the days of stillness that birth groundbreaking ideas.
This year, I have not had any off days or leave periods to rest. All the free time I have is occupied with one activity or another because it is the only time I have to work on what I truly want to be spending my time doing. So the question is, where is the time?
