Chapter 1: The Illusion of the 9-5 Identity

Let me surprise you—this article is only partially about your 9-5 job. By the end, you might see it in a different light.

The focus here is on a character named Pat, who finds solace in writing.

To put it simply:

Talented writers can teach, inspire, or entertain; exceptional writers do all three. But what about those who write without the label of "writer"? How do we define them?

Pat is a dear friend of mine:

• He enjoys smoking and drinking beer.
• He writes daily.
• He resides on the East Coast.
• For over 30 years, he has avoided the traditional 9-5 grind.
• He lives comfortably within his means.

Yet, Pat insists, "I’m not a writer. I’m just a man who writes."

This statement emerged during an interview where the interviewer mistakenly referred to him as "a writer." When asked if it was true that he "sweats novels," Pat merely laughed.

I stumbled upon this interview in a book I had forgotten about, hidden away on my shelf. Something compelled me to pick it up.

For two years, my correspondence with Pat had been sporadic, but recently, I added him to a small email list I created called "Because You Call Me Joey," which only goes to close friends and family.

To my surprise, Pat replied to the email a few days later. Upon discovering the interview, I reached out to him, but he seemed unaware of it, despite my belief that he might have gifted me the book long ago.

This led me to ponder: What else might be lurking on my bookshelf, waiting to be rediscovered? And why does Pat refuse to label himself a writer?

The answer lies in identity—or rather, Pat's reluctance to adopt the label of "writer."

Pat writes out of necessity. He believes that labeling himself as a writer is as absurd as calling oneself a "breather," "eater," or "water drinker." These terms merely describe actions we perform daily and lack depth.

That’s why Pat shies away from identifying as a writer; it’s merely an aspect of his being, not a defining trait.

Since graduating from college over 30 years ago, I have associated myself with various job titles:

• Retail clerk
• Book publisher
• Record store owner
• Webmaster
• Interaction designer
• Information architect
• Senior UX manager/director

These are not intrinsic qualities; they are mere labels—facades of identity.

Why have I accumulated so many? Who am I beneath these titles?

And why doesn’t Pat, the man who writes, see himself as a writer?

The recurring question I asked myself led to a simple conclusion: movement.

Pat writes for the same reason that a shark must keep swimming—movement is essential for survival.

What inspires your movement?

The first video, "What I've learned 3 years after quitting my 9-5 job..." shares insights on navigating life beyond traditional employment and the lessons learned along the way.

The second video, "How to ACTUALLY enjoy life with a 9-5 | What I wish I knew before starting my first job," provides valuable tips on finding fulfillment while working in a conventional role.