About Work -
If you want to build a certain style of the life, consider buying a house - creating a life order by S in her mid-30s.
As the only one team member from outside city, I thrive on change, have a short attention span, and my life before the age of 35 was immediately feedback-driven. I enjoy doing things that everyone can see, tired of repetition, and have little patience for following all rules. Being naturally inclined this way, the changes in my life over the past year have been quite dramatic.
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Coming from outside the city, I have rented houses for over a decade, drifting between various studio apartments and shared rooms in Taipei. No matter how much I liked the environment, I was always ready to move or change anytime.
My transient life is rich; my central-city rental boasts prime location, convenience, and access to famous eateries and bars within 15 minutes. Taking Uber and enjoying fine dining after work had become a routine for me. I indulged, thinking I could afford this lifestyle, becoming a "successful woman" among friends.
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As my career entered its second decade, I finally came to the fact that my future would likely be in Taipei. Embracing the trend of buying property, I embarked on the next chapter of my life.
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Armed with initial parental support, I evaluated my income and savings, seeking a suitable residence. This marked a period of profound self-discovery. First, I corrected my financial misconceptions. Subsequently, I realized that activities I thought I loved, like exploring new restaurants or Friday night drinks, were merely passable.
In contrast to a small apartment in a bustling area, I was drawn to spacious suburban homes. I sought a comfortable space for both sharing and solitude. Through this process, I shed the expectations of others, discovering my desire for simplicity. My cherished spot at home is a reading daybed, a lasting source of joy.
It wasn't until I bought the house that my feet truly grounded, and my perspective shifted from external to internal. This transformation allowed me to gradually discover the clues to the beauty of life.
I find joy in the reliable monthly paycheck, affording my mortgage, the peaceful reading time during my commute, and my body's slow transformation through whole foods. Training for the Camino de Santiago, I discover satisfaction and happiness in hidden progress.
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My motivation towards work is also gradually changing.
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From my early career to the moment I purchased a house, I passionately equated work's value with personal worth. Achievement fueled me, each effort a source of accomplishment. I navigated the emotional toll of work, where every interaction felt like an evaluation. To seek approval, adrenaline drove me, creating a perpetual conflict between life and work.
Once I learned to look inward, I discovered that work and life had grown into a mutually beneficial and harmonious friendship.
I deeply realized how crucial a "good enough" job is for maintaining a daily routine and mortgage. This standard reflects my desired life, no longer driven by others' approval. "Going to work" has evolved into "allocating daily time to work, aiming to accumulate achievements and embrace excitement and surprises."
This transformation has significantly eased my approach to work, somewhat akin to what spiritual teachings call "awakening." I suddenly realized that worldly success is an illusion, and inner contentment is the true anchor. Regarding the awakening about work, I used to believe it meant pursuing what I wanted to do, breaking free from organizations, and starting my own business to become self-reliant. Now, instead of actively pursuing change, I embrace all the changes that come with my work. With each change I digest, I move a little further ahead, feeling my own growth.
In my third year at HMM, I gradually understood the hidden sense of aesthetics within the brand through a profound life change. Rituals, simplicity, order, and classics aren't about rigidity but shaping life and work environments. Having a distinct form gives me a stable core strength to face various challenges.
#WorkAwakening #YourAwakening