So I applied for a job I would absolutely LOVE to have: creating advertisement copy for a company that works with clients in the health and wellness field. Those who know me understand how interested I am in exercise and nutrition. And how much I love to write sparkling, intriguing sales material. Do I have enough experience? Maybe not compared to people who've been working in the field continuously for several years now. However, I can bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table in part because I'm not an old, seasoned soul set in her ways.
Let's discuss my creative background, shall we?
Starting from childhood, I was a creator. An inventor of anything that delivered a message. I wrote my first play in grammar school. My sister and I acted it out for our relatives one Christmas. After that, I wrote many more for our family. Then, I went on to create books and magazines based on characters my sister and I made up...all before the age of twelve. I had various clubs kids could participate in...came up with games. Activities. Then I found I loved dancing and created dance routines for my sister and I to perform. I never had formal lessons, because we didn't have much money growing up. But I learned through books and television shows. My dad was in a band. So I created a band. Dad bought me a drum set. Guitar. Keyboard. I created music, invented lyrics, taught myself to play "good enough." And all through this time I drew pictures. Painted. I spent hours in my room being creative and not realizing this energy and passion I possessed would be the goal I ultimately pursued.
Now the other part...
But being creative and passionate aren't enough. Mentors are great. Wish I'd had one. Teachers? A rare find, especially back in the days before the Internet was born. Role models? Unless you count Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins (whom I was in lovvvvve with), I had none. So everything was pretty much placed on my own two shoulders.
But...for driver's education, I sang my essay as a rap song. I created a puppet show with songs and music that I performed for school-aged kids. I wrote and produced a play that was performed at the college I attended. As an assistant manager in a retail store, I wrote the store's newsletter and created ways to engage the work staff to make the job more fun. I organized events that encouraged shoppers to attend. In other words, I found ways to be innovative in otherwise very uncreative fields.
But I never made enough money to support myself well.
What's more important: money or happiness?
My short answer: happiness. Which is why I don't want to find just any ol' job so I can survive. I did that for nearly twenty years and still had trouble making the rent and feeding myself. Whatever job I do take, I put my all into it. Which is why I tend to climb the ladder only to burn myself out. Because the jobs I end up taking are not careers for me. What I need is something that keeps my brain engaged. And also allows me moments where I can get up and move around because I have a HARD TIME sitting still! In fact, I'd love a job where I could also be a fitness instructor. Maybe get the whole office moving. Yoga. Pilates. Aerobics. Weights. So incorporating health and wellness into my work would be amazing!
So, to cap this off, I think I would be a perfect fit for that job. C'mon, employers! Bring me in for an interview. What have we got to lose?