I Quit My Job and Discovered My Way of Life

A common thread through a lot of what I write is féiniúlacht - identity. The identity I got from my sinsir - ancestors, Polish and Irish. The identity I was born into as an American.

As I grew, I collected more identities. Some faded, and others got traded in for new ones. Páiste - child became déagóir - teenager became duine fásta - adult.

I never thought too deeply about the terms we use to make our lives comprehensible to others. Until I left my job of eleven years in August 2024.

Dochtúir. Doctor. Dlíodóir. Lawyer. Múinteoir. Teacher. Altra. Nurse.

These are often among the first words we are taught in a new language.

Our first conversations i dteangacha nua - in new languages often involve saying our name, where we’re from, and our job.

For most of the time since I left my job, I haven’t known quite what to say in reply.

I was working hard to build a saol nua - new life from the moment I walked away from my old one. I had a plan. I had opportunities and goals. But I had nothing to show for all of that for months. It made me feel as though I hadn’t yet earned the titles associated with that work.

Mar is gnáth - as usual, the answer to my existential crisis of the week can be found in the Irish language.

Cén slí beatha atá agat?

To translate literally, what way of life do you have? Or as we would say more simply in English, what’s your job?

I left my job and I went on to create a slí beatha - way of life for myself. It can’t be neatly fit into a title that sounds nice on a business card. I can’t succinctly pull a term off a list that sums up the life I’m leading.

For many months I have felt like there was some type of failure in that. I lost my sense of identity. But lately, my days are filled doing work that matters to me. My bills are paid. And I’m finally starting to feel like I’ve earned the right to say:

Is dearthóir grafach mé - I’m a graphic designer. Is scríbhneoir mé - I’m a writer. Oibrím trí mheán na Gaeilge - I work in the Irish language.

It was easier to explain my old life, but it’s easier to live my new one.

Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to get future articles delivered straight to your inbox!

---

Support My Work

• Like and share this article

• Click here to upgrade to a paid subscription (Access to Irish article audio files, How to Learn Irish Guide, community chat)

• Click here to shop for Irish language themed t-shirts, mugs, and more

• Click here to support my work with a one-time donation.

---

Only want to receive emails in one language? Manage your language preferences here.