Oct 7, 2021
Writing is Hard Pt. 2
This is the second of a two-post series (here’s part 1) that calls bullshit on the idea that there is such a thing as “work that doesn’t feel like work,” and/or the notion that if you can *just* find your “zone of genius,” you’ll be super happy devoting all your waking hours to your work—because your WORK, and the thing that makes you the most happy, are the SAME THING.
This is some gaslight-y capitalist garbage right here.
Of COURSE we’d be in love with the idea of “work that doesn’t feel like work,” because *then* we’d be able to earn all the money we need to survive & thrive, WITHOUT sacrificing things like—
our values
our health
our time
our happiness
our relationships
our sleep
our preferred leisure activities
We CAN have it all! 😐
To be fair, this is a pretty clever way to game the system, and as a creative-based service provider, I’m kind of doing it. Writing is the thing I am best at in the world, and I’ve found a way to get paid to do it. I love the work I do for my clients, I (mostly) love the relationships I have with them, and the fact that I get to learn & write about all different topics is super cool. I also love being valued for my word powers—complimenting my writing is my # 1 love language. 💖
Does this mean I win capitalism? 🤔
I guess… but here’s the truth behind the truth…
Everything I just said ONLY EXISTS within the framework of *needing* to earn money to survive & thrive. It’s the best I could come up with, in a system I wouldn’t have chosen for myself.
If I didn’t need to earn money, I wouldn’t have a single client. Yes—writing is something I would do “for free”—in fact, I DO write for free, all the goddamn time. (😫)
But writing websites and emails for other people? Is *not* something I would do for free. (Sorry, clients. I love you, but also, please pay me.)
So, to sum up:
1. Writing is hard
2. I love writing
3. Working in your “zone of genius” is awesome and all, but it’s still work, and should be compensated (and appreciated) accordingly.
<end rant>
About Sam
Samantha Pollack is a Copywriter & Creative Director who works with ethically minded, mission driven businesses who are actively trying to reshape our culture (and possibly tear down the patriarchy). She’s also the founder of The Highly Sensitive Business Owner, a 12-week online program that helps HSPs & neurodivergent business owners create healthier, more sustainable systems in their work.
Sam also writes about feminism, privilege, pop culture, entrepreneurship, the creative process, and whatever else is on her mind. She currently lives in Asheville, NC.
Emails for cult thought leaders.
(Personality included.)
Want to learn how to craft emails that inspire action and engagement WITHOUT the “tried and true” (cough: patriarchal) norms we’ve all been taught?
I’m doing it, and I can show you how to do it, too.
(But sometimes, I also like to write about the books I’m reading, or the creative process, or the entrepreneurial experience, or why I hate Steve Jobs, or how I met my BFF. I’ll send you emails like that, too.)
*Just kidding. It’s only an email list.
Books. Cats. Rants. Drawrings.
(and every couple months or so, an unexplained absence 🤷🏻)
