I was talking to a friend recently about what random things we’d do after we retire. Honestly, if it were up to me I would not wait until I retire to do some of these things – I’m a greedy person, and I know I can’t have it all but I want to get as close to it as I possibly can. I want to live as many different lives as I possibly can in my one. Maybe I’ve been indoctrinated by capitalism, but I can’t help but romanticize in my head sometimes the concept of part-time jobs or a passion project as an income stream. Don’t get me wrong – they can be the bane of my existence. I can’t begin to describe how hopeless and bitter I feel sometimes seeing everyone else my age freely spend their part-time job paychecks and do and get things I want but can’t because every dollar and cent I make immediately gets fed to my tuition and bills. But if I could just do whatever I wanted and had no responsibilities, I’d love part-time jobs, because they’re like side quests. Random skills I can learn to make money. Some part-time jobs or careers I’d love to dabble in:
- Working at a flower-shop and learning how to be a florist. I’ve been contemplating calling up Fern to see if I can work there on the weekends, actually.
- Bartending once I’m 21. I just feel it would be so fun – I’ve worked as a Starbucks barista before and even though I hate rush, lowkey zoning out and making all the drinks on autopilot and feeling like an absolute machine is a little addicting. Also, I’m extremely nosy so I’d love to hear everyone’s drama ngl.
- Later on, I want to buy a ton of cute, cozy little flats and condos and tiny houses in tourist destinations and get all the joy out of decorating them, then putting them up on Airbnb or renting them out and watch them pay for themselves. And then, when I want to vacation there – I’m all set because I can literally just stay at my own place.
- I want to learn how to be a tattoo artist!!! Drawing all my own flashes and having people trust me with their bodies as my own canvas is just so… wow. And then being a guest artist at other studios all around the world!
- I’ve always been jealous of those people who work at like. Animal rescue/rehabilitation centers, especially the ones focused on marine life conservation or who work with big cats. Years ago, those are all the videos I’d get on my Instagram Explore page – these absolutely ferocious animals like cheetahs and leopards and lions playfully tackling and cuddling and playing with their handlers. I love animals so much. Throwback to my animal shelter volunteer era.
- Also, moving to teach English in Asia – my French teacher in highschool did that in the earlier years of her career. She moved to Japan to teach English, and they paid for her relocation and also provided her room and board. Another one of my highschool teachers moved to China to teach, and he also got room and board and had access to like. A five-star chef. Because he was teaching at a fancy, rich school.
- Microfinance. I read Banker to the Poor and have never been the same since. I would love to be able to do that back in the Philippines.
- Also, serving for 6 months in the Peace Corps. That is so random, I know. But like. I’m curious and I want to see what they actually do and if they’re actually successful at helping people.
- This one might be a little delusional of me, but although I’m criminally short, I feel like I potentially could have a face good enough for like. Makeup or skincare modeling. I just feel like it’d be fun to get to do a couple of times.
- Voice acting! I’m very expressive so I think it’d be really cool to get to voice someone in an animated film or a video game or cartoon.
- Be a music video extra – the sets for popular music videos look so sick, and if I was in one of them it would probably be my new fun fact during icebreakers.
