Finding Confidence In My Career Choice

So, what are you up to in life?

It’s a question I’ve loved answering at times.

When I was in college I loved to brag about going to NYU / Tisch for theater. I’m aware of how smug that sounds but hey, I worked my ass off to get there. Might as well flaunt it.

So, what are you up to in life?

It’s a question I’ve also dreaded.

When I was fresh out of college and struggling. I didn’t want to tell people I worked front desk at a fitness studio, using my fancy college degree to clean sweaty shoes.

So, what are you up to in life?

The question has come up a lot this month now that I’m fresh out of grad school. It came up over the weekend as I celebrated my grandma’s 90th birthday with my extended family. And it came up over the Jewish holidays when I attended services at the temple I went to growing up.

It’s a question I now feel awkward answering. Not because I’m not proud of what I do. Uh, I write about it pretty openly and I freaking love teaching. But it’s certainly not the traditional path to take.

I’m a yoga teacher. Fitness instructor. Blogger. Freelance writer.

When I tell millennial friends in the city the reaction is “OMG WHAT STUDIO DO YOU WORK AT?” And when I tell my parent’s friends they just kind of nod. They’re a bit confused.

Some people might not *get* it. Where I grew up the only people that work in fitness are mom’s looking for a side hustle.

Maybe this won’t be my forever career. For all I know I’ll go back to 9-5 life in the future. Or maybe I won’t. But right now I’m going to continue confidently on this path.

I’m learning to state what it is that I do. I’m damn proud that I teach 8+ classes a week at two bombass studios in NYC. I make money from this little blog I created in college which has flourished into so much more. And I’m starting to put myself out there more as a freelance writer.

No, it’s not a traditional career path. And for all I know it might not even be a feasible career. But I’m learning to not dread that cliche career question.