“I don’t dream of labor” 🤔✨

[@AdviceWithErin]

I know phrases like “dream jobs don’t exist” and “I don’t dream of labor” are super hip and ~cool~ right now… but I find them incredibly boring 😐 Okay… so what? We need to work. What does this do to help a normal human just trying not to be sad all the time? The concept of being able to pick what you do for a living would’ve sent our ancestors into a coma. ⚰️ For 99% of human history, humans job was Farm. Human = Farm. In much of the world today, humans job is still Farm. They don’t have a choice. The ability to have choice in what you do for a living is an immense privilege. And I’m not here to tell you to monetize your passion or follow your dreams (hell no). ❌ I’m here to encourage you to take a proactive approach to life, not reactive. Actively invest some time into figuring out who you are, what you’re naturally talented at, and what kind of days you want to live. You’re in the drivers seat. Your job is simply one aspect of your life, but time-wise, it’s a big one. And time is the most precious asset you have. ALL jobs have pros and cons. There is no perfect dream job that’s going to magically make you happy. And, there are jobs that are better suited for you than others. Focus on making friends, building community, finding love, nurturing family, having hobbies, exploring new worlds, relaxing, building financial security - and, you know, working a job you don’t hate. You got this! 👏🏼 #careeradvice #dreamjob

[@user-uz6uk8jc8o]

You are such a sweetheart

[@toni2309]

Our ancestors had the freedom to follow their own clock though. They had to consider when crops grow how, which is a more natural limit, but not be pushed by all the artificial societal limits of today. People back then also did not work that many hours consistently. Personally, I would prefer following my own clock and being able to use the fruits of my labor myself rather than having the priviledge of choosing a certain field or activity of work.

[@poisonivy745]

Oof, Erin, I normally like your content but this one was frankly boring, condescending and out of touch. I think you forgot since you have the privelege of having the job you want, but for you to tell everyone else to "just get the job you want" ...honey I hate to break it you, that's not how life works. most Americans live pay check to paycheck and work at jobs bc they need to put a roof over their head. Countless stories of people with multiple credentials, going through months and years of jobs searching with only a few interviews or going through 5 rounds and still not getting hired. Fired at drop of hat and for illegal reasons. Poor pay. Cost of living through the roof. Having the job you want is a luxury in this economy.

[@IcySally]

​@poisonivy745 that's a different discussion. Whether or not it's attainable isn't what she was talking about. She's talking about the ridiculous aspirations to not work at all, which most of our generation has. Stop moving the goal post.

[@seboconnor1934]

Questioning the supposed inevitability of capitalism and the "work or die" society we live in IS an act of working towards our dream lives. Simply saying "well too bad capitalism exists so you're going to have to have a job and we're not going to do anything about the systemic injustices that are inherent in that process and all of the people that harms daily, we're just going to just be positive and find something that we like to do, even if doing it for a third of our lives as labor to someone else kills us"- that's the boring thing. Then to have the audacity to tell people to focus on relationships and the things that matter to them and on relaxation when for many people with disabilities they literally cannot do that and also work, yet if they're able to work at all then they have to work, you are telling those people that they need to work 100% of their lives and it's just the way that it is and we need to accept it and just find a job that you like. And then they find out that someone who keeps telling them "you got this" thinks that their hatred of being stuck giving 100% of their effort to someone else just to barely make ends meet and not even have the energy left over to do any shopping or cooking to eat food, is boring? Like you cannot have possibly thought this through that hard. Teaching people how to navigate the corporate world is good because yes we do need to learn those skills. But not understanding the privilege it is to be able to have a job and also have a life.... isn't it.

[@njb1126]

We are not against labor, we are against the exploitation of labor. We must work, it is essential to society and our mental and physical well being. I don’t want to sell my labor for money, I want what I do to help my fellow man.

[@simplylily7819]

This!!! I can think of a few jobs where I’d do things I might really enjoy, but I’m afraid of becoming burnt out and not having any way to escape it.

[@thedistinguished5255]

girl sameee

[@Jeri-z6t]

Bingo

[@edensharma1629]

Based

[@APRILartz]

Unfortunately a lot of dream jobs don’t pay enough to survive on. So people feel they have no choice but to try and climb the corporate ladder

[@someoneunknown434]

Sadly

[@sarahtaavetti]

People always think in absolutes. It HAS to be the little cottage and the goats. Instead, think about WHY this idea appeals to you. Maybe it‘s just the being outside thing that you like, or maybe it‘s the goat thing. Who knows. Let‘s say you like the outside bit. Think of how you can get a coorporate job that requires you to go outside a lot (quality control, research whatever). Slowly push your career in that direction. Often it‘s small changes that can lead even the most „boring“ job into the direction you‘ll love.

[@kingkooki7761]

that's why i have up and i well drive a truck for the rest of my life

[@Margotrivera1980]

I love my job. It doesn’t pay me enough to afford a one bedroom apartment, a low car payment, and food all at the same time.

[@Wawajohns]

I have 2 jobs. One I love and makes me feel fulfilled but isn't enough money on its own, one I don't love but is very low stress and pays my bills the rest of the way with a tiny little bumper left over. Then I have an occasional weekend side hustle that is super fun and gets me a good chunk of cash for the fun budget once in a while. It doesn't have to be 1 soul crushing job that pays the bills.

[@scawydemon]

I don't dream of labor in our current conditions. I'm fine with labor, but I don't want to work for someone who won't respect me as a person.

[@ellem8990]

that's it and she even said it herself, so I'm confused why at the end she pretended like that's not the problem? Plus like many mentioned, a lot of the "dream jobs" don't pay well on top of it not being on your own terms. It seems pretty patronizing to talk to people who recognize they don't want to work under the current system as just people who don't get they actually do want to do labour (I think most are aware and it's implied that the conditions are the issue) or that they aren't aware that they can't survive without doing labour unless they're extremely privileged. It's not like people who complain about the conditions aren't aware of the issues or what is required of them for survival (most times), quite the opposite and that's why they're saying these things.

[@scawydemon]

@ellem8990 Yeah, it's a surface-level understanding of those phrases. At my last job, I made $10 an hour and was harassed by my boss. It got to the point where she was threatening my life. Their solution was NOT to fire the person harassing me, but to give ME less hours. It just wasn't worth it. I wasn't gonna risk my life for $10 an hour.

[@myconfusedmerriment]

⁠@@ellem8990Agreed, especially with the part about dream jobs not paying well. I worked for a public library for a couple years. I loved that job, I would have gladly stayed in that job. I even went back to school and got a masters degree to make that my career. But I eventually had to quit because the full-time positions in my library system were scarce and incredibly competitive. I couldn’t afford to be part-time any longer, and I didn’t get enough hours to qualify for health insurance. I do think there’s some truth to what she’s saying in that self-limiting beliefs can certainly hold us back. And I think the phrase “I don’t dream of labor” is somewhat reductive. But ignoring the entire economic system that keeps people stuck in jobs they don’t like because they have to survive is incredibly naive.

[@witchoffemininepower5700]

EXACTLY 💯💯💯💯

[@iridescentgleam9649]

"or just a normal type of baby" lowkey got me lmao

[@user-og7qq5zy8p]

gave me Todd from BoJack Horseman vibes

[@justkatierose]

when this phrase caught on, it was actually a commentary on the way we conceptualize our identities under capitalism. most folks who say this (like me) also work jobs and have 9-5’s, but they desire change too, and I think that’s valid.

[@toethong]

yess thank you i feel like erin is either misunderstanding or deliberately misrepresenting the phrase. what workers mean by “i don’t dream of labor” is “i don’t dream of labor under capitalism / rugged individualism.”

[@jordansprojects]

​@@toethong I don't think she misunderstood anything. The video perfectly encapsulates that the work you want to do is still hard work, and you shouldn't feel like you need to diminish or minimize the work you are passionate about as not being labor just because currently you are being forced to do work you aren't passionate about. edited because I wrote a bunch of other stuff that wasnt totally relevant or necessary *

[@RoxyCherryRozy]

In communism you worked double. Of course you're equal! Equally poor and overworked. That's the equality ideal my grandparents and parents were sold and which was a lie. And now it repeat itself

[@min3018]

If you grew up poor, you don’t have room for failure, so you choose a job you know is high in pay at the expense of giving up your actual dream job. You work to survive as you said. Not every dream job can provide stability.

[@kiwi_bird]

preach

[@ursusursidae3527]

Agree.

[@SabrinaRina]

🏆 And its not a given to find both. And if you do, good chance of toxic people.

[@brittanygreen]

True, being an artist doesn't usually pay the bills!

[@Sleipnirseight]

Exactly! And the whole concept of a "dream job" is kinda silly. A job should just be a side quest that gives you the means to simultaneously enjoy your dream life/hobbies. I don't need or want my existence or identity to revolve around my job. It's just a convenient way to be able to afford the comforts of modern amenities (housing, indoor plumbing, electricity, water, groceries, etc), so that I have free time and funds for fun stuff.

[@user-bl8uu6rq4z]

The no work movement is actually focused on changing how we do work within society. It would be very interesting to see you interview someone from the movement (who actually knows what they're talking about) and seeing where your perspective and their's differs and is similar. Love your content 😊

[@Rose-tw8rp]

This is so true! I'm disabled so i never thought there would be a good job for me. Until i realized that i love graphic design and I've been doing it my whole life! I went back to school and recently graduated. But even before i graduated, i had someone reach out to me through linked in and i landed an amazing job. Not only did it blend the skills i used in the past with my graphic design skills, but they've been 100% accommodating of my disability. This only happened after i started accepting who i was and began building my life around that. There have been some false steps, to be sure, but even finding a job that was in line with what i needed to accommodate my disability only came after accepting my needs and seeking the assistance i needed to work at my best.

[@SENSEF]

Me too! Once I accepted my disability and focused on "What CAN I DO to earn money despite my obstacles?" instead of "What do I wish I could do?" I found my way into becoming a writer and moved up to editor! Many years later my health has improved but I wouldn't want any other job!

[@Rose-tw8rp]

@SENSEF That's exactly right! There is a time and place for morning the life we lost, but you have to reach a point of looking for what is still possible. We need that fulfillment of finding a passion through the pain.

[@nicholas_of_time]

That’s amazing!!! I’m so happy for you :)

[@toni2309]

@@Rose-tw8rp I'm trying to do the same, however, it just feels like the whole structure of work is just not suited towards how I work best as an auDHDler with PDA tendencies. I feel like I could do so much, but since jobs just generally tend to need following suit on agreed upon actions all the things I would otherwise be able to do are getting much harder.

[@Rose-tw8rp]

@toni2309 I completely understand. Because my disability means I have days that I'm totally bedridden that I can't predict or plan for, I thought for sure no work environment world tolerate me. Every new job, I was terrified of the day I would inevitably have to call out sick. I continued to do my best at every job and many didn't appreciate what I had to offer. I had to find the right one. Not saying it's easy. But if your environment isn't right for you, find another one. Again, not easy. I get it. Not at all belittling the struggle. But I believe you can find the right place that allows you to work in the way that it l is right for you.

[@mac__attack8609]

When people say they don’t dream of labor, they usually mean that they want fulfilling work that directly provides for them and their family if they have family to support. They don’t want to struggle living paycheck to paycheck with overbearing bosses and bureaucratic nonsense day in and day out. They don’t want to wake up loathing that they have to do something. They want to wake up and just do the things to not survive, but thrive! Have a life that is well balanced! It’s perfectly normal for people to say they don’t dream of labor when you ask them their dream job.

[@Hitari0]

I think the distinction is the phrase means "I don't dream of *wage* labor" aka doing a job for a paycheck. It's often interpreted and even used as "I don't want to do any work" but it's really about wanting to create or work for yourself, not to make someone else richer.

[@desireesmith862]

Yup and on-top of this most people who don’t dream of labor just have issues with being paid way too little to survive, unsafe jobs, other employees being inappropriate (but nothing being done about it, bosses being inappropriate and nothing being done about it and so on and so on. These people aren’t allergic to working.

[@whengrapespop5728]

No matter the kind of dream labor you do, it is always a positive to get paid for it, whether or not you requested money. There is no distinction, only context. If someone found value in your work and offered you money for doing what you love, how could that make your life worse? It won’t, and you would appreciate it.

[@Meghan144]

Why is it bad to be paid for labor though

[@toni2309]

I'd love to do meaningful work for myself and my community and make everything more beautiful. I'm not very interested in following someone else's instructions to create lifeless things, sell things I don't believe in, or help people out who I have no connection to where I don't get to choose.

[@gangsta8929]

Well then your dream job involves working for yourself. Still makes “I don’t dream of labor” not exactly an appropriate response.

[@kingkooki7761]

there is no cottage on a small farm job. there is no way to sustainably have a career that will accommodate that life unless you're rich and just put your money into stocks or business and someone else does everything for you. i don't dream of labour, i dream of freedom and accessibility

[@AndreJNick1]

You're saying this as if it weren't all the central idea of the "I don't dream if Labor" movement. Its not people who don't wanna work. Its people who wanna work for themselves and not get taken advantage of by some large corporation

[@plastilinovbly]

Your "you got this!" cheers me up every time

[@commentbot9510]

I’m not typically someone motivated by phrases like that but the way she says it is genuinely comforting 💕

[@Orynae]

Personally it kinda gets me down because I really, really don't got this

[@commentbot9510]

@@Orynae felt 😞

[@emit5586]

When I got a job I actually enjoyed it felt like my whole life changed. I didn't dread new days, I picked up extra shifts whenever they were available, I felt fulfilled when I left work at the end of the day rather than just drained and angry. I felt like I'd hacked life, being paid for something I had fun doing. Was it still work? Was it still hard? Sure! But I can't stress enough what a difference it makes when you're invested in what you do.

[@flowercrisis._.]

May I ask what your work is? :)

[@emit5586]

@@flowercrisis._. Of course! I work as a carer for children with additional needs.

[@Sam_1984a]

Yes! I worked hard for a long to get my job that I love and that works with my disabilities and particular needs and interests. Of course it’s a privilege to be able to get there and not necessarily easy or quick to do, but so worth it ❤ I also work in education (not teaching, so I get to work remotely). It’s wonderful.

[@gracegaskell8068]

Do you wake up actually EXCITED to go to work? Or is it still a matter of, alarm goes off, you drag yourself into an upright position, and say to yourself, 'right. Time for another day.' Cus I've been looking for someone who says they have their dream job, but i can't quite believe this 'ok, time to face another day again' ever truly goes away...

[@emit5586]

@@gracegaskell8068 I don't wake up EXCITED, in that sense, it's still a job at the end of the day and I still sometimes have to drag myself out of bed. But I don't mind? It's a hard feeling to describe. The dread and anxiety I used to get before work is gone. The hard days don't make me want to quit, they just make me think "woah that was a hard day!". If I'm getting ready for work and I feel tired and annoyed, I think about what I'll do during the workday, and I start looking forward to it. The funny thing is I never considered childcare a 'dream job' before I started working where I am now. But now, I can easily see myself doing this forever.

[@두부-i9t]

Actually, it means I don't dream of labor that for someone. Gardening, writing, and even goat raising are pleasant When it comes to labor only for "ME" not for others or money. If she has to take care of the garden for her bill, she would not love that eventually. Nd fav works are not a money-friendly job in general If you are not talented enough.

[@alicjadrazkiewicz3383]

Have you ever done any of those things? They are not as pleasant as you romantisized them to be. It's hard manual labor everyday all day long, out in the sun, shoveling shit around.

[@eggi4443]

​@@alicjadrazkiewicz3383 we have a quite big garden but it's not bad? you have to pick vegetables and fruits that work for your climate otherwise of course you're gonna suffer. I'm not even counting flowers because it's a different can of worms and you don't really need them

[@alicjadrazkiewicz3383]

@@eggi4443 Are you living off of that garden?

[@Tamailana]

Exactly this! I love gardening etc., but I don't want to do it for someone else's approval and money. If I fail, ok, but nobody is gonna yell at me or be dissapointed or give a bad review. If I don't feel like it, I don't HAVE to do anything. It's not labor then, it's a hobby - with freedom. I even tried working as a gardener. Couldn't last a week, watering some potted flowers all day, so boring, no creativity in it, no choice AND low pay.

[@purplemist7]

​@@alicjadrazkiewicz3383Newsflash, just because gardening isn't enjoyable for you, doesn't mean that applies to other people.

[@xcristinat]

Designing your dream life and finding a job that fits into that is damn near impossible these days, mainly thanks to the inflated cost of living versus wages stuck in 2003. I hate this system. Most jobs barely pay you enough to survive, much less LIVE.

[@shalkonon013]

A coworker of mine claimed most people can be millionaires. My coworker assumed people all have 401ks and IRAs. My coworker seriously believed that most people have money to save. Literally blew his mind when I asked him how could people be saving if they are living paycheck to paycheck? I also asked them why would someone choose to pay into an IRA but not go to the doctor. They acknowledged they had made an error but I doubt they realize how severe it was.

[@catherinefoltz2824]

I saw a posting the other day for an "experienced caregiver" to work with elderly patients. Pay was $10/hr. Another job, a preschool teacher, they wanted years of experience, pay was $9/hr. How do we expect that employee to survive, let alone treat other people well in a demanding role, with pay like that? There's something fundamentally wrong here, and it isn't workers' mindsets.

[@sadbeanxx]

@@catherinefoltz2824yeah, love her optimism, but it’s not quite that simple. even if you love kids, $9 an hour is soul crushing. that’s kinda been my problem. I wanted to work with animals- anything worth the pay would be a massive amount of student debt for me, and a lot of school. I just don’t have those resources, a lot of people don’t. you can only find a career you love if they’re willing to pay you enough to feasibly make that your career, and right now, they’re not. for years now it’s seemed like the only viable options were med and tech, and I have my gripes about both. maybe I sound silly to some people, but I really do just want a cottage on a farm where I garden and write books, and I don’t think that should only be afforded to the “trust fund kids.” optimism still needs to be based in reality, otherwise it’s just delusion.

[@aurora_skye]

I think, instead of taking on this mentality, we should dismantle the system that forces us to do this.

[@AdviceWithErin]

Go for it! Where would you start?

[@toni2309]

@@AdviceWithErin Personally, I've been trying to do unpaid jobs needed in the neighborhood as well as asking for help myself, so that a bigger part of my life is spent on what matters, and freely done rather than one person telling another what to do.

[@keegster7167]

​@@toni2309 I like this idea! Unfortunately, in my case, my skills are very niche :P But I do have a language exchange with some people where we learn each other's languages and edit each other's writing, so that's kindaa similar in a way. But once I'm in a good stable position, I'm definitely going to try to participate in the museums and other public services...volunteer at historical sites maybe. I'm not sure..but I've been thinking about this too, actually..

[@einzelwolf3437]

What, entropy? Are you going to dismantle reality itself?

[@WordsFlowMagnetic]

Sick! Good luck with that

[@umbellicalchick5635]

It's a movement towards being more critical of what we accept from our jobs and expect from a worklife balance. When our life goals are career-focused, we might accept mistreatment and suffer in other areas of our lives in order to achieve these goals. This is also a movement towards questioning the status quo particularly of American capitalism / the powers that be. Though, yes, labor is a beautiful and necessary part of life. It's also a response to grind culture, where people feel pressured to turn their skills and self-fulfilling labor into a way to make money.

[@kathrynh4008]

Exactly! It's a way of pushing back against a system that defines our purpose and our identity with what career we have, rather than our values traits, interests, etc. When your value is defined by your work, then it is also defined by how much you work and produce, which necessarily results in overworking. "I don't dream of labor" simply acknowledges that there is you have dream and purpose work, that your existence should not and is not defined by it. That your worth and purpose lie outside of what you do for a paycheck.

[@tw8464]

​@@kathrynh4008well said

[@MakaykayLAMB]

THIS

[@galesk344]

Thank you for putting this so eloquently!!! It needed to be said!

[@scoutlaceharding]

Thanks, I was looking for this comment. Also, it's ok for people to genuinely not dream of labor. If you dream of laying on the beach and reading a novel, there isn't anything wrong with that- and it doesn't make you a sugar-baby or any other type of baby. Not wanting to center your life (or every conversation) around what you do to make money doesn't mean you don't recognize the reality of living under capitalism. It doesn't mean you aren't willing to work. It doesn't mean that it isn't important to you to find a job that can be a part of your dream life. Not to mention, many people live a life where doing the labor they find fulfilling as a means to get by is simply not feasible. Part of the "I don't dream of labor" movement is saying "Hey, you aren't a failure just because you haven't found a way to subsist on the labor you love. Your passions are worthwhile even if they aren't economically advantageous."

[@mordecaiissad8529]

Ive heard this over and over. I don't have a dream job. Maybe some day i will, but right now? I dont. My only choices are how much will i hate my job vs just how much im gonna struggle. Hating it and struggling is unavoidable. Thats life, and until we decide unsubscribing from it is ok or on universal income theres nothing else to do, but accept i have to work a job i hate to afford shelter and food.

[@novadivine3910]

I understand this so completely. Since I was a kid, I've loved animals. So much I put money into a degree to be a vet tech and then something destroyed my view of the workforce altogether. My son died. And it was two years before I even had an inkling of what I MIGHT be okay doing. It's okay to take your time! Actually, I think it is better to really figure out what might make you happy. I mean, within those two years, I bounced between nothing, an occupational therapist, a dog groomer, a barn manager, and so many other random careers. You are also not alone in your feeling this way 🥺🧡 I still feel lost sometimes and that's okay ✨

[@Aye--.--]

I feel the same way. I don't have a dream job either. I'm not that passionate about anythin to make it into my career, neither am I creative. So I naturally picked up accounting. I'll start working as an audit intern next month, so I hope I will love my job. But even if not, nth much I can do rn.

[@oscillis]

@@Aye--.-- You can always stay at a job for a year at least and bounce around between jobs after sending in two-weeks notice so that you can get rehired if you realize you actually liked that job :> And creativity is not always inherent, love. If you're interested in it at all and want to try it and develop skill in it, you can and always have the ability to do so. It takes work but can be done in your off time to see if you'd enjoy the process of em. Good luck!

[@kate_6436]

What I would suggest is really sit down and think what would make you happy. And if you don’t know? Just try a bunch of random jobs. I was stuck in the same place worried I’d be miserable forever. Then I took a chance on a job. And I loved that job. It wasn’t my dream job but I loved it and it helped me realize what WOULD be my dream job! This was after working miserable jobs for like 7 years! Jobs you’ve even been rejecting for years maybe. Or take some hobby courses see if you can find something through there. There’s gotta be something you’d enjoy doing.

[@MessagesFromAurora]

_sigh_

[@kirchnerovec]

I dream of freedom 😌

[@midnightmuse9829]

My dream job doesn’t involve people. In order to do the things I want to do (making beauty products, painting miniatures, cross stitching, crocheting, making historical garments, living off my garden) I have to interact with people because I need money. I’m incredibly task oriented, but the job market doesn’t work for people like me. Hobbies, such as they are, are incredibly expensive. Very few of us will be successful living off our hobbies. Please don’t start by telling me to advertise myself on social media. That once again, involves people, and I don’t even have a LinkedIn anymore because my stalker from when I was 14 found that too. I have three that I have dodged over the last 14 years. I have a friend from 8th grade (I didn’t have a phone back then) that still managed to find me.

[@toni2309]

The other thing is how a lot of people don't have a lot of money or aren't willing to pay for quality products, while huge companies sell things for such cheap prices smaller businesses can't compete, making it harder to find something that financially pays off.

[@Lillith.]

You may have a friend who loves marketing and would love to help you. That way you don't have to do the marketing and social media and the only interaction would be with a friend and I hope that's not too much people.

[@iceunelle]

I’m very task oriented as well, and get extremely burnt out working with people all day. I wish there were more introverted, task based jobs that pay well. Having physical limitations as well as autism really limits what jobs I can do.

[@Tastendream]

I think you should partner with someone who will be the face of the brand while you be the background cofounder. You don’t have to be the one every one knows at the forefront

[@gracegaskell8068]

My problem is the blind acceptance of 'you need to work to survive' like it's just an immutable harsh truth. Why?? Why does this HAVE to be the only option. This is a vid about question a mental block on awareness of what options are available (a little ignorant of the external limitations some people are under, disabilities, finances, etc), but doesn't consider that maybe the system at large should be questioned.

[@talesfromtheroad9530]

I feel so called out by the English cottage, gardening, novels, and goats 😂❤

[@hailymitchell9453]

Agree with this but i want to add that the capitalist expropriation of the labor value we create means they take some of our wages for themselves, and i think that is a big part of it as well

[@toni2309]

I think a big part is the alienation. Not getting to choose what you work on and how it looks like yourself - or alternatively designing it but never getting to make it. Doing things not for yourself, friends, family or community but people you'll never even meet.

[@kahnabull1694]

In a society where we don’t HAVE to work to survive… most people would still work. Thats kind of the argument that in a country as rich as the U.S., survival needs shouldn’t be based on income.

[@madeupname3008]

!! the threat of death is dehumanising and wrong :(

[@lurategh]

There were experiments done involving universal basic income (don't remember the places that participated) and they found that when people have that safety net of guaranteed extra income, they still work and use that UBI for essential needs instead of wasting it.

[@lolly1898]

Unfortunately no one would then do the jobs people don’t want to do, like working at McDonald’s. I’m still pro not having people be forced to do that tho lol we need to use our technology to make it so NO ONE is stuck doing those kinds of jobs!!

[@valsonder]

​@@lolly1898i guarantee there are people out there who want to do those jobs but Can't because they don't provide a living wage. there's cleaners who get so much joy out of keeping our society running, cooks who take huge pride in their work, supermarket employees who find peace in organising and sorting shelves. if those jobs were backed up by universal basic income and workers in them were treated with respect, a lot more of them would be taken than you think

[@Lillith.]

​@@lolly1898 then those would seize to exist. I don't see the issue. Plenty of people love working in restaurants because they have a passion for food, so we would still have restaurants. Server would be a harder sell, because people are unkind, but we would find solutions for it. Plenty of smaller restaurants have kitchen staff doing these things. Really good restaurants have servers who actually enjoy doing their job and stay because they want to and you come back because they enhance the experience. Working for bad employers would stop, because you don't have to, but in every job you find people who do it because they want to.

[@hken423]

The problem is that once you are paid to do what you love, you end up resenting it. Your brain is naturally wired to look for external awards over internal awards, so you will always see the pay as the main goal/purpose of your labour (there have been studies on this). My advice is to get a job that you don’t dislike, but don’t make your hobbies your job either. These are meant to be separated. Instead look for a job that allows you to live the life you want, like she said. In this case, a work from home job might allow someone to live a more quiet life in the countryside, but being a farmer or author might run the risk of creating a dynamic where hobbies are now work. Work is always going to be something you do because you have to, not because you want to

[@river3516]

Absolutely agree! Went to uni to study literature because it was my big hobby/passion. 2 years into my degree I started low key disliking literature and turning more to nonfiction. I still love reading (and writing) but I feel like it's never gonna be the same again.

[@toni2309]

I tried that, but now my auDHD just can't be bothered to engage in the topic any more. Not sure this is genuinely useful advice for certain neurodivergent brains.

[@hken423]

@@river3516 I had the same experience in uni, and I find most people actually end up in a career totally unrelated to their major so again it makes complete sense!

[@Orynae]

I've thought about this a lot, but it's not just the "on other people's terms" that's the problem with working, it's all the extraneous parts necessary to turn the labor into money. For example, art: in order to make a living out of art, you've got a couple options. Go the traditional way, and you have to spend time courting museums, galleries, art dealers and maybe the private buyers themselves... and there's a very low chance of actual success. The social media route is much more popular these days and there's a much higher chance of "making it" enough to survive. But for that, you've got to become a photographer and video editor on top of drawing and painting; you've got to spend hours on making videos, potentially changing your art process in order to make it easier to film. You've got to spend time on lots of different social media platforms, interacting with fans and putting your art in front of as many eyes as possible. You've got to do administrative work with setting up patreon and brand deals, set up a shop, potentially figure out how to do prints, pack and ship orders... You also have options to make a career in video games or movies/tv: animation, 3d modeling, concept art... Besides the fact that someone else is telling you what you have to draw all day, the creative industries are riddled with companies taking advantage of passionate people. And actually finding a job in the field is very hard as well. I don't want any of that extra stuff as a career. I just want to draw. But there's no world where just staying home and drawing makes money. So I'd rather just do it in my free time 🤷

[@Dark_Red_Echo]

I really wish you would have done more research on what this actually means before making a video about it to try to spark controversy or talk down on something you definitely don’t understand. As others are saying, people who “don’t dream of labor” mean that they don’t want to be generating a bunch of profit for their boss while struggling to exist day to day, they want to be doing something they feel is meaningful with their life. You might also want to check your dates because humans have been around for at least 200,000 years and agriculture was not the “majority” of the time-Obviously humans had to collaboratively survive and everyone had to contribute before that as well, but I’d encourage you to check your own internalized misinformation because of how you accept capitalism and commodified necessities without question. We can admit that everybody has to work for a living without saying that we’re happy that people in the United States are often working themselves to death, don’t have basic needs like nutritious food and healthcare, etc - that’s not a privilege.

[@ronin2963]

Trustfund baby == yes Sugar baby == no. Nobody is going to pay anyone to do nothing. Sugarbaby have to work hard pandering to one person and if they don't or just get old they are fired

[@KSmith-kp5jz]

You may not have a dream job (or believe in them), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t jobs you’d prefer to have over other ones. It’s better to have a job you’re ambivalent about than a job that makes you want to combust.

[@CrocusSeal]

See this. THIS I can get behind.

[@AriChem23]

My dream job (being a scientist) has been possible because my parents supported me financially during university. And I am from Italy, here uni are way cheaper. Meaning: without a money backup, it is hard to follow the dream job (sadly)

[@MrWatsa]

I guess the phrase should be "I don't dream with employment" because my guy Karl said it best "Work gives a man dignity not because it gives you a salary, but because work gives self-fulfillment"

[@nixtheangel]

from what i know of james balwin (the person whose quote has been misappropriated and removed from all context for this video), he would agree with you

[@WordsFlowMagnetic]

The best job advice I ever got was from Parks and Rec, when April was looking for a new job in the seventh season. Instead of focusing on specifics, she made a word cloud of things she wanted in a job. Stuff like, “being my own boss” and “creative problem/solving.” By focusing on what her dream job would FEEL like, there were more possibilities. One in construction, one in accounting, and one at a non-profit. I think when going into jobs, people should ask themselves what they want a job to FEEL like. Like, when I started my career journey, I wanted, “every day to be different” “to be my own boss,” and “be able to socialize and have fun.” That describes LOADS of jobs! And made it easy to dream of labor

[@theanxiouscatechist2504]

I really don't want to work in an office. And no job hires me; I've already tried. I'm mentally ill, disabled, and couldn't finish uni because of the situation in my country. I'm an artist, so I do that and I plan on doing it more, even if I don't make a lot of money from it, but staying home, taking care of my house (to my own rhythm and adapting to my circumstances) and focusing on my art is what works best for me. I have full support from my fiancé.

[@pippiecarr9378]

The mental gymnastics to make people ok with giving up their life for something they hatred is impressive.

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

As a person who has always hated my jobs, when I got into something I actually did like, it made the work worth it. I really hate the phrase "do what you love and never work a day in your life". Thats not true. Even dream jobs are hard work. But often when it is the right thing you will enjoy the work for the most part and still feel satisfied and fufilled even when its the parts you don't like as much.

[@seranes_silence]

My dream job doesn’t make enough money to survive 😂

[@zacharyrosen8372]

The actual saying is I don't dream of labor under capitalism. So yes, you are both correct.

[@toni2309]

I dreamt of being an engineer, but only in a world where the creations go to those who need it, and I dreamt of being a natural scientist, but only in a world which values art and humanities

[@ladyjade6446]

Well stealing from one to give to another isn’t the answer.

[@manuba_]

yes thank you

[@einzelwolf3437]

DIG THE HOLE

[@MistyGlades567]

You dream of it under communism??? 😭😂🤣 cause that ain't gone be fun

[@MeghanWaring]

Yeah, you need money to put together your dream life. That's not how life works for poor people

[@ISMsoccerboy]

Yeah this is a bit of a privileged response. Especially thinking anyone can just design their dream life and find a job around that.

[@alicjadrazkiewicz3383]

How poor you have to be to not be able to afford to dream?

[@MeghanWaring]

@@alicjadrazkiewicz3383 simply dreaming gets you nowhere. I can dream about having a harem of male models who work in my stables while I paint award winning artwork, but I can't afford horses or stables or payment and insurance for the male models or land or endless art supplies. Unfortunately I'm on disability for major depressive disorder and can barely afford the basic cost of living, let alone the cost of dreaming. Ask me again how poor I need to be.

[@MeghanWaring]

@@ISMsoccerboy right!?

[@alicjadrazkiewicz3383]

@@MeghanWaring You never know, man have weird kinks these days.

[@RedVelvetLines]

No one should have to work to survive. That's the problem. No one should have to "earn a living."

[@alicjadrazkiewicz3383]

What would be our purpose then?

[@RedVelvetLines]

@alicjadrazkiewicz3383 to fucking live??? To experience life. Not work yourself to death to support capitalism.

[@jamiececilielange5249]

Human's have always worked to survive, food requires work and we want more than that, but what isn't fair is the companies taking advantage of people's need to survive. It's an evil cycle of people taking low paying jobs and companies refusing to pay more when they can get away with less.

[@alicjadrazkiewicz3383]

@@jamiececilielange5249 The richer the Rich the poorer the poor.

[@milantehrandubai]

Yes we should. Or else nobody would be incentivised to work and we'd have nobody, just lazy people. Working is vital !

[@Lady_Mikay]

I had a dream job until I finally started to work in this job... About 16 months later I had to change to another job because it made me sick and now I feel kinda lost. But your videos always kinda help me getting new perspectives and think about, how I could change my work life. Just didn't figure it out yet, but you keep me optimistic! Thank you so much, Erin

[@angora6881]

Same 😢

[@Lady_Mikay]

@@angora6881 🫂

[@brewwin]

I did that! My dream has always been 3 tbings. 1. Be paid to learn language 2. Be paid to travel and find new cultures 3. Find a way to make a difference for people, specifically queer people. I found a job. It took me nearly 4 years to get it. Its more thwn i could ever dream of but i start in 3 weeks. 🎉 Im never going to be rich but the job is very stable. I might struggle to visit my family. I also have to give up the moet important thing in my life leading up to this- but itll be worth it. Because this is my dream. Its my core. I love this advice. I can't wait to start my dream life ❤🌈

[@erindabney2758]

Literally, I don’t dream of labor. My dream is to spend a lot of time napping in a hammock in the sunshine, share laughter with loyal people, go horseback riding but only have to tack and groom and go to concerts.

[@hisuiantyplosion]

yes... because companies and jobs "allow" you to switch/change paths...

[@a-10warthog23]

What if you're (god forbid) disabled where your options are 1) be on disability which pays LESS than poverty and places extreme restrictions on how much you're allowed to make with your own labor and still not be able to be financially independent because it's just not enough for a whole adult person or 2) be stuck in a constant state of triggering symptoms because your body can't handle working 32-40+hrs a week but you can't be on disability because you're supposedly "capable of working" so you're constantly miserable or 3) be financially reliant on an able-bodied person either partially or fully because you simply can't work enough to make ends meet but don't qualify for financial assistance. Like I'm genuinely asking, because this is both my reality and so many other's right now. All those cushy remote and office positions require either a degree or experience (but are not willing to pay for schooling or give you that experience). Physical labor is easily out of the question without regular breaks (which they are not willing to give any more than the 2 15s 1 30 in an 8hr shift, which is not enough for many of us). There just aren't options for us, this country wasn't built with actual humans in mind. Just farmers and then factory workers and... that's it. We're still stuck with the expectations of early industrial America. It's so fucked up.

[@jessicajames4493]

I love to hear you say: You got this ! ❤🎉

[@alexandrajay2001]

as somebody who farms goats, the people who talk about it as some cottagecore fantasy make me laugh. they have no idea how labour intensive and dirty it can be. you have to muck them out regularly, get up early to feed them, feed them again in the afternoon, keep up with vaccinations and worming and hoof trimming, and if you're breeding them, that's also checking on pregnant girls every few hours, possibly pulling kids out, and possibly bottle feeding them every four hours, even in the middle of the night. you also need to register them, choose which to neuter and which to keep entire, and sell the surplus.

[@toni2309]

For me personally, the kind of work I want to do inherently encompasses things like - doing things that need to be done, rather what is being paid for - going about work in a way where I can structure my time on my own according to my own and the work's needs - choosing the environment to be pleasing - bonus: having room to follow my own whimps and wishes and ideas and creativity This just isn't very fitting towards jobs that exist. It's not about the work but about the structure. My dream would probably be doing some sort of quality arts and crafts, on my own, and supplement that with some odd jobs helping people out here and there. I like planning blocks of time to go about things as they fall into my hands and trust the process rather than do rigid planning. I also like variety. Bust helping people out with different things. I want community. I want to do things for people I love. It's just, I struggle to see what I want in the society I live in with the resources I have.

[@megan5867]

I have my dream job. It allows me to set my own schedule, I only work 4 days a week, 2 of them from home, my boss is not a micromanager, and I have an office where I can close the door. As long as I have those things, the job itself could vary greatly, and I wouldn't care. I get to spend a lot more time with my husband and children, THAT'S my dream.

[@keegster7167]

May I ask what country you live in? I haven't heard of a job that has only 4 days a week!

[@megan5867]

@keegster7167 I live in America. I work 10-hour days. I had another job where I worked 3, 12-hour days before too.

[@megan5867]

@@keegster7167 what country are you from?

[@keegster7167]

@@megan5867 US :)

[@lurategh]

Here's hoping the 4-day work week becomes more normalized. There's been a push for it lately, and studies show that workers are just as, if not more, productive in 4 days as they are in 5, at least in office settings.

[@esmeg1724]

“I don’t dream of labor” is a critique of workers’ alienation from their labor under capitalism. Or at least that was its meaning before it hit the mainstream

[@alphamail8974]

Yes! I'm tired of pressing a red button all day for a giant corporation. I'd still complain, but I'd rather be physically tired from tilling soil.

[@krischeney6793]

Yes because perfect jobs grow on trees and nobody ever has to be a janitor of course. The phrase exists so people don’t feel guilty that being an accountant just kinda sucks. So do most jobs! It’s either thankless or taking advantage of people

[@Mohsin3052]

Im someone who has multiple interests like acting,dancing,video editing,fashion design etc & hence i don’t know what my dream job is or what to work on😓

[@laurenj6771]

Maybe you could try and find a job doing fashion or video editing done they’re more stable forms of income, and then pursue acting and dancing when you’re not working since it’s lot harder to find stability with those fields? Or being a kids dance teacher for a day job, and video editing on the side? I don’t know, but I feel the same way, I have a lot of different interests and I’m trying to make them fit😂

[@nicolerodrigues618]

Sounds like a recipe for the film industry

[@lavlinalavender]

You can be KZbinr with all those skills

[@Mohsin3052]

@@laurenj6771 thanks for the advice 🧡

[@Mohsin3052]

@@lavlinalavender thanks for the idea

[@SpirituallyInspired]

I love how optimistic this video is 💕 i agree with every word!

[@novadivine3910]

I actually never thought that my degree will be in something I was terrified of growing up. Mortuary Science; but then my son passed away and everything changed. Now all I hope to do in a "job" is to take care of children as they rest in paradise. Sometimes you have to live to find that career that you love or that in which calls you❤🧡 I appreciate these videos SO MUCH. Thank you for all you do, Erin!!

[@JackhammerJesus]

A dream job is when you find yourself doing labor and suddenly thinking "I cannot believe they are paying me to do this."

[@whytheflick]

I mean, hobbies tend to be more expensive than you can make back. They probably don't dream of having enough goats to sustain the market.

[@AllyDeluxe]

Even sugar babies have to work for that money. It isn't exactly granted and handed to them.

[@cyrusp100]

Sugar baby is just a PC term for prostitute.

[@dixiemerchant1052]

As a person over 60, I'll tell you this is as true as it gets!

[@leahg.3393]

I have ADHD and until about a year ago I NEVER EVER thought i would find a full-time job that i could tolerate without wanting to end it all. Then I interned in a clinical histology lab and got a job there, now I really actually do LOVE my job so much and i get to help save sick babies and i really do see histology as a beautiful combination of art and science. To top it all off histology techs are in very high demand, all you need is a BS in biology or less, and you won't be a multi-millionaire but it certainly pays enough to love comfortably on, i started at 55k straight out of college as soon as I graduated, likely going up to 100k+ once I get certified after a year of training

[@nicoleraheja8302]

My dreams literally don’t involve any work at all, just playing and having fun. I don’t have a dream that involves any kind of labor, even the kind she describes

[@Calcanthite]

Dream jobs that make the money that I want to make to be comfortable don't exist for me

[@wilsi473]

Yes, dream job but I also want to have money for healthcare.

[@gracegaskell8068]

​​@@wilsi473 fortunately i live somewhere with nationalised health carw so i don't have to worry about that. However, it would be very nice to be in a high tax bracket than where im currently at! Holidays would definitely be less tight! Edit: i mean holidays as in, spending a week somewhere thats not home

[@alicjadrazkiewicz3383]

​@@wilsi473You guys should really move to EU.

[@o.h.8337]

I love this video, such a beautiful message! I hope that you post more like this. You're videos regarding giving tips are good also and help me to learn a lot, but just taking a step back and talking about worries regarding jobs and dreams is refreshing to see ❤

[@MicaHearts]

My dreams dont fit in any job 😓 ( I dream about woft wanting to eat me , zombie apocalipse, me falling from my window, even ride dragons and fly in my imaginations world )

[@Sleipnirseight]

Precisely! My family come from a long line of farmers, ranchers and hunters. Living off the land, raising animals, growing crops are all HARD work and there really is no break. You can't just get a pet-sitter for a farm, even if you don't have a fully functioning farm, but just have few farm animals as pets (goats, chickens, horses, w/e), which means vacations are virtually impossible. Someone always has to be home to do the farm chores. And you'll still need an income to pay for utilities, groceries, healthcare, etc. And if you love doing that, then perfect! But it's also EXPENSIVE. Nowadays, remote work has made it much easier to earn a liveable income so that you CAN afford that dreamy cottage life, and maybe even someone to watch the animals if you want to go on a trip. The only real constraint is there's not always great Internet in rural areas! Get a job that gives you the funds, time and energy to dedicate to the things you enjoy!

[@iforgotmyusername11]

Sugaring is work, apart from a small percentage; when you marry or date for money, you earn every penny

[@luccaustico]

kinda funny to hear this bc i had never thought of it, but i truly don't dream of labour: my ideal life would be to be free to read, travel, appreciate and make art, study about subjects that interest me when and how i want to. i just generally accepted it is too utopic of a life and settled for the most reasonable job to me.

[@katrpatter]

I recently heard advice that said focus on work that aligns with your strengths and interests as opposed to fixating on finding work that you love. I appreciated that reframe, especially as someone working in the non-profit environment where it's so easy to have our commitment to the organization's mission be exploited. It's possible to do meaningful work without it having to be your whole identity. As with so many things, I think the answer (if there is one) is somewhere in between the extremes.

[@brurcemuhammadmecca7154]

Thank you for your video. This makes so much sense

[@kellyk9876]

Unfortunately we wish those lives without the pressure of gaining money. I don’t want to create goats as financial return, but also want money to pay the bills

[@mordecaiissad8529]

Raising a couple of goats for yourself and fun is a world apart from raising goats for profit. The sheer amount of goats, work and time is incomparable.

[@hermina_grayson]

I love u, big sis, you got me actually teared up over this

[@violetapelzman4316]

Love this take

[@_cin.a.ber_]

My god how you put that into words is amazing👏

[@rpasewa]

I started my job yesterday and I want to say your videos helped me so much during the interview process thank you so much for making comprehensive videos ❤

[@Lila-xh3bx]

This cheered me up and was very comforting. Thank you, Erin

[@SamanthaLily1]

Even though I played few games, I find myself liking competitive games like Mario Kart and I also enjoyed a Kinesthetic like Just Dance. The recent game I played was Hello Kitty Island Adventure and I really enjoyed it(do you think I would also like ANCH?). I tried playing Super Mario 3D World and I enjoyed it too(but I don’t have Switch). These are all of my top games. What are the games that have this elements, would really want to explore games since I can’t go outside much.

[@SamanthaLily1]

As far as I can remember, I reach a flow state when I’m playing Mario Kart DS(in emulator). I just like Mario Kart in general from music, soundtrack, the course being visually interesting and vibrant. Also with Hello Kitty Island Adventure, love the characters, the different places, the welcoming visual and the items.

[@lol-ll7nk]

I really needed this, thank you ❤ Tour videos always help so much! 🌺🤧🌷

[@annapitts2343]

So it's my fault that the only high paying job I can find sucks? Thank you for helping me see the light

[@darnfirefingers]

My dear Erin, I just needed to let you know your videos were so helpful to me when I went through I jobless phase. Now that I have it, I’m Just so grateful for your work that inspired me to keep going. Thank you for all that you do. ❤

[@joannak1956]

Loved it! Thank you ❤

[@animuz2424]

Thank you for posting this!!! I needed the perception 💙 and keep doing what you love and never stop 🎉

[@Joniene]

I appreciate you so much Erin.

[@cenavisch8888]

I love this!!

[@mahmudaislam5428]

Oh my god. This is the best, the best ever video i have ever watched ❤❤❤❤❤

[@aditi25singh]

Love this advice

[@zmonic92]

🥹 that’s so beautiful 💜

[@sierrasicard4593]

I needed to hear this. Thank you!

[@odessamatilda]

I needed this, thank you!

[@diana-qf5dw]

You have no idea how much I needed this. You always say “you got this!” but sometimes YOU got me, Erin ❤

[@EternalYorkieMom]

Yeah focusing on what I know I want (which is to be financially stable enough to move out with my bf) helped me find sales which I am really good at and like

[@lavietzion4388]

I love how Erin always says: “your approach is free for you to take” and always respects other thoughts, people and opinions

[@gordshorde]

i feel like most people mean "i don't dream of exploited labor" when they say "i don't dream of labor" labor and life go hand and hand. getting food, clean water, and shelter all require labor. even without the existence of money or economic classes.

[@jennye126]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 love this!! So true💜

[@chobitlove02]

That’s what im currently doing! Have to get through the hard parts to do my dream job! We can do this!

[@SillyDragonFly]

Putting it into perspective I dream of making and designing characters and being able to make them in games and write lore books about each of them for everyone to read and enjoy 😃

[@ariannaf8781]

This follows the video Erin did on lifestyle driven people and career driven people. Most of us are the first type, but we are pushed to live like the second. For the first group, it’s important to think about how you usually live, what you like to do and don’t want to lose the possibility of doing, instead of a dream career! It was super helpful to me, so I thought I’d share in case someone missed it!

[@toni2309]

As someone who in the way I usually live is more and more moving towards anarchic praxis and mutual aid, this just doesn't really help me. Like sure I got ideas what I want, when it comes to having a career, I don't know how to choose one that doesn't loose the things that I originally liked about the thing.

[@chesito15]

You are such a good content maker. Like, insanely good advice and inspirational. I hope you know it! Thanks Erin ❤I don't know if I got this but someday I will

[@Joey-ms3xg]

I needed to hear that.

[@maurawitzel4313]

Rest. Peace. Stablity. Thats what i dream of.

[@frejlinden407]

I dream of getting into my room and staying there too i want to leave, for friends or eating out, maybe a handfull of times a year, then i would Listen to books and brainrot til the end. Cant really so that tho so i am becoming a teacher in a subject i like will most likely work in that field for the rest of my life. If i dont win at the lottery or on horses or something