“So what do you do?”

Its 2pm, the sun is shining and I’ve just driven back from my good friend Livs apartment to collect the photographs from our shoot last Sunday. Been listening too Kanye West “Its Amazing”, such a summer tune. Anyways as I mentioned I just got back from Livs place. Liv, is a freelance photographer and is responsible for the great images of my garments that I'll be using to launch my label.

So whilst sitting at her flat over cup of Tea and discussing the intimate details of our friends lives, myself, Liv and her boyfriend Ben began a discussion on the topic of work. It is interesting because as a freelancer we share similar frustrations with regards to defining what we do. Honestly I find it really strange how people fail to understand that what it is you actually do when you describe yourself as a freelancer. A typical conversation will go like this:

Meeting a New person in a pub.

Person A: “So what do you do?”

Freelancer: “Oh I’m a freelancer. I’m currently working on my own label, I also develop small websites for friends in the creative industry, and am also working on a number of small graphic design projects. ”

Person:” Ahh, so then what is it you do during the day?”

Freelancer: “Well, as I explained I’m involved in a number of creative projects such as working on my own label, developing small websites for friends in the creative industry, and working on a number of small graphic design projects”

Person A: “So you don’t have a job?”

Freelancer: (sigh) “Well, as I stated I have several “Jobs” on the go at the moment, which include working on my own label, developing small websites for friends in the creative industry, and working on a number of small graphic design projects”

Person A: (looking confused) “Oh”

Freelancer : “So what do you do?” ( with a sympathetic look on her face)

“So what do you do?” , what an interesting question to ask someone you’ve never met before. English philosopher Alain De bottom, wrote a book called “The Pleasures an Sorrows of Work”, in which he basically explains how the idea of placing value into what you do only really occurred in the middle of the eighteenth century. A group of bourgeois thinkers turned the idea of work and labour on its head. Placing significance, recognition and value on what people do on a daily basis. Before they came along, people were quite happy with the idea being the baker in the village or the fisherman of the village and not placing any real value onto it.

This of course is a sharp contrast to how we live today, whereby the first question anyone will ask you if they don’t know you very well is “So what do you do?”, as opposed to “ Where are you from” or “Where you family is from”. It seems like the choice of our daily occupation has been used to define our entire existence on the planet. It defines our identity, our strengths and weakness, our goals and passions. But does it really? Or have we decided to use what people do as a shortcut to try and figure out who they are. And if so then why don’t we just carry our CV around with us when going to the pub. At least that’ll be far more accurate. Actually we could take this idea further and suggest not having all these long biographies written that take up so much space in Waterstones or Exclusive Books. But rather just having a big folder at the front desk with 3 page CV’s in it. Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” abridged.

Ben and Liv have formulated a new method when breaking the ice with someone you’re meeting for the first time. They choose to ask people the following question “What are you into?”. Which is generally followed by a horribly perplexed look. “Hmmm” the person will think, “ do you mean it in a sexual way or do you want me to describe a musical interest I have.” To be honest I feel its harder for people to describe their interests as it a far more revealing and probably plays more of a role in ones personal identity e.g. I work mainly in the textiles and fashion arena, and although I have a great passion for fashion and textiles I am interested in the following : the architecture of old Victorian homes, Erchart Tolle's philosophies, watching how Black people fetishize their hair. I also have a keen interest in politics, beauty products, climate change etc. And so like everyone reading this there are many things I am interested in yet neither one of these things are placed as the centerfold of my identity, so why should what I do on a day to day basis be.

In conclusion I think the idea of finding ones “true calling” is a concept anchored on helium balloons. We have such a great resource of ideas and interests, its too restricted to believe that there will only be one thing, and thats all we’ll do for the rest of our lives. So next time you meet someone you don’t know maybe ask them what they’re into rather than what they do, you never know you might not be the only one in the room into wips and chains.