There is one question I've always found unnerving. Anything in the line of 'what is your next plan' irks me because I assume I'm expected to lay out some big short-term plan that has to do with a job or starting a business.
I've found my way around that question with my parents so many times and I can sense when it's incoming so I avoid it completely.
Some months ago, a friend (one I place on a high pedestal) asked me about my plans for when I get married and move to Kaduna. Coming from her, I didn't feel attacked unlike when my parents throw that same question at me.
Feeling less like a fraud of a writer that particular day, I told her I was going to go hard writing on hive and secure more writing gigs.
Wow. My imposter syndrome really flew out the window and I boldly referred to myself as a writer. That was the first time I did that without mincing words.
I'm just shitposting on hive half the time and getting a few writing gigs but that's what pays me. I've earned more from writing than I have at any job or side hustle.
There's another friend who asked me the same question about my plans and when I told him, he couldn't wrap his head around why I'd want to focus on writing instead of starting a business.
I would infact love to start and grow a business but it's not just the first call of action right now.
I look at these friends and laugh because they obviously can't tell I'm taking a cue from them. They both have something going on for them that looks funny to others but they don't mind, they do it because it pays them.
Slaving away at a shitty job, affiliate marketing, or running a small scale business, whatever, the primary aim is still to make money so we all go where the money resides.
It's still not a real job to a lot of people, I don't have a fixed salary or an impressive title to my name but I'm committed to writing and that makes me a writer.
So far, I'm all in one piece and I barely remember whining about not having a job since being active on hive. All I do now is mind the business that pays me.
I think everyone should do that. Double win when you enjoy it as I do.
