Well, I uh, I’m an artist, I’m a writer, I, uh…
So tell me…….what do you do for a living?
I hate answering this question. I don’t have a three sentence, 10 second elevator pitch that describes what I do, so it’s a little awkward for me.
However, on a podcast I heard today, Merideth Hite Estevez proposes alternatives. Instead of asking “What do you do?” ask “What’s lighting you up these days?”
What makes you feel alive and connected to something larger than yourself?
What are you working on right now that excites you?
What makes you want to get up in the morning?
— Tell me about that. —
I love the potential these questions hold for meaningful conversation and connection.
And aside from social situations, these are great questions to ask yourself whenever you’re floundering or having doubts.
Check out her podcast, Artists for Joy and in particular this episode from April 30, 2021, Creative Lies: “My work is my worth.”
Hope you’ll tune in!