As a GenX-er, I was raised in the era of “You can do anything! As long as you get a job.” Get a job, any job at all. If you enjoy it, that’s the icing on the cake. But don’t expect to like it.

Something happened after I became an adult, and a whole generation or two believe that your day job can and should be your passion and give you all the meaning you need in your life. While that is certainly ideal, it’s not all that common. And I’d argue it is a lot to ask of a job.

I have had quite a few “good” jobs and a handful of shitty (underpaid, tedious) jobs. But not one of those jobs has ended my search for meaning or become a full expression of my creativity or intellect. Does that mean there’s something wrong with me? No, it means that capitalism is a hostile environment. And to survive in a hostile environment, you do what you have to do.

I like my current day job, but it is not the thing that brings meaning and purpose to my life. I don’t get mad at it for not being my conduit to a higher purpose. That’s not what it is for.

A day job should give you a social and professional context in which to grow and learn. It should give you fair to generous compensation, as well as health insurance, paid time off, and recognition for a job well done. It does not have to solve your existential angst, because employment has never been able to do that.

Enjoy your day job

You probably need an income, unless you’re a trust fund baby. In which case, skip ahead to the parts about hobbies and doing service. If, like me, you have to support yourself and your family financially, then you need an income.

Income can come from employment, self-employment, venture capital, lucky investments (aka bets), flipping houses, selling something you make, scouring antique stores for rare items to resell, delivering groceries, raising goats, etc. I have opted for employment.

Having a day job makes life a lot easier. Generally speaking, it provides a predictable income, health insurance, and perks like paid vacation and weekends off. You may not get any of those things if you work for yourself or raise goats.

A day job also provides a nice structure for your days and some degree of social context. When you know which hours you spend at work, you can start to plan for other hobbies and interests around those hours.

The best day job aligns with your skills, interests, and values. It should be a bit challenging, but not highly stressful. It should allow you to keep good boundaries and be off work when you’re not in those work hours. Yes, you can find jobs that fit all of those criteria, it may just take more time than it would to find any old job.

Cultivate hobbies

If your passion doesn’t align with making a decent income, that does not mean you should abandon it. Having at least one hobby or interest that you pursue for no reason other than you love it can enrich your life and connect you to others who share your passions and interests.

If you can’t find value in activities that don’t result in a paycheck, then perhaps your brain has been hijacked by capitalism. Our culture conditions us to have thoughts like, “making art is pointless,” because it’s not a clear path to profit. If you let go of the making money part, you can make something for the sake of making it, or because it is simply beautiful or thought-provoking.

Hobbies can also connect you to others. Join a sports team or start a book club. Host a monthly dinner party or crafts collaboration. Get off the internet and join a hiking club.

By cultivating hobbies, you can make space for things like writing novels and running marathons without giving up a paycheck.

Do something good

Humans are supposed to help each other. We are wired for cooperation, collaboration, and service. If your day job does not offer opportunities to do something that positively impacts lives, then maybe you have an opportunity to volunteer or join an activist group. Or just donate to your local food bank or homeless shelter.

Research has shown that one of the best ways to cultivate happiness is to be of service to others. This is not something that our individualistic, capitalist culture puts much value on. We are taught to look after our own needs and keep a tight hold on our assets. Selfishness and greed are cornerstones of the economy.

But if you want to find meaning, or do something that matters, that means finding ways to give back. This does not have to be from a place of pity. Help out your neighbors, your friends, or your coworkers. What goes around eventually comes around.

Don’t quit your day job. Unless you do hate it. It is possible to take advantage of the perks of employment while still living your passion. Just don’t expect your day job to always be the one thing that brings you fulfillment, because it never will be.