So what exactly do you do for a living again?
I'm a writer and a health advocate.
Oh. What do you write about?
Ability despite disability, but also about midlife, social good, animal rights, b...
(Interrupting)That's nice. But seriously, what do you do for a living?
B-r-e-a-t-h-e, Cath. Silently count to ten. Go to the bathroom. Step outside. Avoid this conversation. Or ignore my inner voice altogether.
I am a writer and a health advocate.
You can't make this stuff up. Well you can, but I'm not. This conversation happens to me every once in awhile. From well-meaning people and not-so-well meaning people. My elevator speech abruptly ends with either sparks of interest or the sound of crickets followed by annoying ignorance.
It's taken me years to begin becoming myself. I know that's an odd sentence, and in social media parlance it'd be considered "vaguebooking", so let me explain.
As an introvert I've always done what I thought I was supposed to do. Be a good girl, get good grades, follow the status quo, get along with others, don't rock the boat.
If you bend over backwards long enough your back begins to break. And when mine almost broke it turned out to be a blessing. Because it catapulted me into signing up for a certificate program in health advocacy, then creating a blog, and finally marrying my love of writing to health advocacy.
Then one day I "met" a woman on LinkedIn who I'd met in the MS community. I'd been semi-active on LinkedIn for several years and it finally paid off. My online friend told me about a website looking for writers who also had MS. I applied for the job and got it.
Glory. Hallelujah.
I began writing articles, answering readers' questions and getting paid for doing what I love.
I've since written for many health websites as well as other websites that have published my work regarding midlife, social good or animal rights. Some I get paid for on a regular basis, others offer good exposure or a chance to network with new and like-minded readers.
The regular monthly paychecks I receive are not breadwinner material but they mean a lot to me both financially and emotionally.
It's more than gratifying to know that the words I write add value to the world. I can't count the number of times I've received heartfelt comments from people who thank me for my articles, telling me I made a difference in their lives, or letting me know that the information I offered reignited the hope and promise they'd lost long ago.
My professional life is not a traditional one. It took on a life of its own and I like it that way. I'm rarely bored, and I'm always inspired by the people in my online communities.
The constant challenge of staying abreast of current research or the latest and greatest social media platforms keeps me on my toes, giving my brain a true workout.
Perhaps someday people will have a better understanding of what it is I do for a living. Who knows. For now what's important is that I'm finally becoming myself by doing what I love, and as Robert Frost said, "And that has made all the difference."
I have a friend who talks about work all the time. To be honest, I'm just not that interested past the job title--it's not riveting work in my opinion although he loves it and more power to him. I don't have to love it. I hardly ever talk about what I do because people don't get it. But I've learned that it's not important that people get it, just that I get it. Then again, I've never been that interested in what others think or know about me, unless they are my dearests...
Cathy: You are a writer par excellence. You are a giver. An inspired. A teacher through your words.
Nowadays especially people are opting for all kinds of online work. It's becoming traditional to work from home. Soon those who think they have "real" jobs will be pining for the skill set that you have and use so expertly!
Familiar story and I love your response!!
Oh how I love this post Cathy!! What you do is so significant and purposeful! I get how people can respond so uninterested and not 'get it'. Oh, how I get it!!
What's important is THAT YOU KNOW the significance of your work... and you get to live the rewards every day through people's genuine responses and not an 'elevator' conversation that is fleeting.
PS: How on EARTH had I not LIKED your page? SHAME on ME!! (did now.)
It's funny how things sometimes fall into place as if they were just meant to be. Your voice as an advocate for the MS community has turned out to be rewarding for you and a blessing to the many readers who love your blog. And count me as one of your biggest fans.
It is amazing Cathy that some people have no idea what a Health Advocate or Writer is? If they ever get ill or have a bad diagnosis they will become enlightened to what an advocate can do! Writer, who doesn't know what that is? Do they want you to ask them how much money they make from their job? Pigeon hole people. I get people asking me if I still run my business, like it is a hobby? Geez, the things people say without thinking!
I'm surprised and disappointed to hear that people react that way, Cathy. You are a wonderful writer, and are doing great things for others with your advocacy work and writing. How dare they - I think they're just jealous. You go girl. xo
Becoming YOU is the most important work of all. Seems to me you are an authentic, honest, loving and talented writer and advocate. I hope that's at least a smidgen of how you see yourself. You've worked hard to be viewed as such by others, now embrace that yourself!
What a wonderful post, Cathy! I totally understand the journey of becoming. At 57, I feel like I'm just starting out!
Cath, it is not at all important what others think of your occupation or not having an occupation. However; it is important that you feel fulfilled in what you are doing in your life. It may have taken a while, but you found the perfect mix of helping others while helping yourself; how wonderful!
I take what I do seriously, but I don't need others to. Truth is, I don't give a rats butt what people think of me or of what I do. I think it's a bit of a shame that the first question we always ask people is "what do you do?". I mean, we are so much more than our day job. I don't believe in chance, Cathy. You are right where you are meant to be. You are doing what you were called to do. That is why you love it. That is why it's not a job. It is your gift. And I love how you share it!
You know, it's easy to get defensive about these questions. Some of my best friends don't read my blogs and just think it's a silly thing I do. But sometimes these people might be saying, "I am dreaming about how to align my work with my heart, and I want to figure out how you do it...to help me figure out how to do it myself." Maybe they are trying to figure out how to make "enough" money (and I put enough in quotes, because that's different to all of us) to live, and if it's worth giving up a larger, more stable salary to do more meaningful work. Yesterday I had lunch with a colleague, we have done the same work with similar (sometimes competing) studios for 30 years. She said, "my mission has always been to do good work, be with good people and make enough money." Today I was wondering why a talented client of mine, who has so much to offer the world outside of his corporate job, can't make the leap. Anyway, I don't know if any of this helps...but I do think sometimes people are asking out of admiration...at least I like to think so.
What you do is so valuable and if people don't understand, well, it's their loss. I am always shocked at the number of people who ask me if I make a living blogging. Really? Do I ask them if they make a living at whatever their job is? Plus, the most important part of that expression is the actual "living." And you, my friend, are not only doing that more than well enough, you are helping others to do the same. xo
What do people don't get? Writer? Anyway it's easier for people to categorized and once we've been categorized in their mind, it's hard to break the mold. I wrote a column for a number of years in the local paper. I stopped about 5 years ago because it was fun and I loved it -- but I could make money writing articles for magazines. Just last month I had two or three people ask me what am I writing these days anything? No matter how much I talk about my blog and magazine work, people have the column as the only thing I write.
Follow your bliss. Success is defined in many ways. In my way you are more than successful. But the only way that counts is your way of defining it. GREAT POST! (I'm just getting comfortable in my authentic skin, too, at age 57.
Crickets are okay. People don't have to get it. The people who matter will. Mostly you. And those you touch with your words.
I don't really get what's so difficult to understand about what you do. You advocate. You write. You inspire, inform and assist. You make a difference.
aaahhh, the opinions of others.
I love your voice, your verve and your determination.
You do a service for so many, glad to see no one can dampen your spirit!
Cathy, okay, so you write about ability, midlife, animal rights, and..... So, what do you do for a living? LOL I would love to get it together enough to do what you do for a living! I would be very proud!!
Made me stop and think for sure. I've had many health issues and I'm sure if I blog about them it might help someone else out there who suffered from the same issue. You gave me something to think about for sure. I'm sure there are loads of folks you have helped in so many ways...bottom line...that's what mattters.
It can be difficult for able-bodied people to understand that those of us with disabilities often have to "invent" our own professions because society can expect so little from us. Don't let it get to you. Titles aren't nearly as important as character.
I have Cerebral Palsy and write a disabled fashion and lifestyle blog. My goal is to show the world that people with disabilities are people first and foremost, and we deserved to be accepted and integrated into society. Most people don't really "get" what I'm doing is tied to that. They just think I look fierce as I take Nashville by storm. They don't realize I'm paving the way for others with disabilities to do the same. There's no job title for that.
We all matter 😉
Alicia
spashionista.com
Hi Cathy and thanks so much for your honesty. As writers, I find we have to have a sense of humor when describing what we do for a living, and a bit of a thick skin! I am new to your blog and enjoying your writing. I have a friend with MS and will share your blog with her as I know she'll find it inspirational. Your work is important, never forget that!
Cathy, I'd be one of those people who's say: "Oh, really!?! Tell me more!" And mean it. I'd be very curious and a bit fascinated. Good for you. We have a lot in common. I do use the world "disability," as imperfect as it it. I capitalize the "A": disAbility. My daughter has autism and I've been an advocate for her and others for 18 years. I also write about health issues, sometimes for pay, sometimes not, but I've been writing professionally for about 35 + years.
I also love your philosophy. Oh, I could not agree more about life's wake-up calls, our connections of mind-body, and the opportunities they gift us. Yes, yes. Been there done that, too.
I hope I get to meet you at BAM!!!
I've just started reading your blog but am enjoying it oh so much. Thanks for sharing.