Blogging - a real job

I often get asked what I do for a living. My answer depends on who asks. If it's an older person that I don't know I might just say that I'm a photographer. It's easier to explain than the real answer. If people in my own generation can't seem to grasp it, how I can expect the generation before me, who grew up without computers to understand it? So what do I do for a living? I'm a blogger.

The frustrating/strange/down right annoying thing is, I frequently hear things like "that's not a real job", "you can't possibly make enough money doing that!", "that's only a temporary thing, right?" and "what are you going to do after this?" But what is a "real job"? I have thought so long and hard about this question. I still haven't come to a conclusion. Maybe it means a doctor, or a lawyer or any number of careers that I have literally never even considered for myself. Is blogging not a real job because you can't go to school for it or because you don't need a resume to do it? Is it not a real job because you don't need an interview to fill the position or because you don't personally know anyone who does it? What makes something a "real job"?

Whatever your answer I assure you, blogging is a real job. I may not have to leave the house for days on end if I don't want to (not that I recommend anyone ever does that, definitely not as fun as it sounds!) I can work in my PJs or without pants if I want, and no one cares if I come into work with morning breath. My co-workers may be two cats and a dog who enjoys sitting beside me and squeaking his tennis ball incessantly but this is a real job. I live alone and completely support myself. I pay all my own bills with the money I make blogging. There isn't another job or person helping me out and I'm not living off credit cards. I'm no different than any other person with a conventional job.

The sad thing is that this bias of what is and isn't a real job doesn't stop at blogging. Many other millennials with unique careers experience the same thing. For example, Mickey travels the world teaching taxidermy. This girl is killing it. Did you see what I just said? TRAVELING. THE. WORLD. Yet somehow, that's not good enough to be considered a real job by some people either. She deals with the same questions.

It needs to be acknowledged that any way of supporting yourself even if it isn't traditional, so long as you aren't stealing or hurting anyone, is a real job. It seems awfully silly to criticize someone for making a living doing something they love and enjoy, doesn't it? Blogging isn't all that new of a career and despite what you may have heard, it isn't going anywhere. There are tons of people out there making a living doing just this.

Co-worker Klaus. Excels at distracting me. _________________________
This is part one of a new series that will hopefully help explain and clear the confusing fog about blogging as a career. I'll share tips, answer questions, and generally just share more information about what being a blogger really means. On that note, if you have any questions, or specific things you'd like me to talk about I'm all ears. Shoot me an email or leave a comment!
xoxo