What do you want to be when you grow up?

Photo by Jennifer Campbell

Jennifer says: That’s arguably the most famous, or infamous, question in history. By the time a person is five years old, I suspect they’ve been asked this question at least fifty times. Little kids usually come up with these great, limitless answers: astronaut, ballerina, princess…

Then as the years pass, something really tragic happens. They’re told they can’t be a princess. Or it’s not practical to think you can be an astronaut. The creative side is squelched. It’s squeezed into the box of society’s idea of what’s acceptable, what’s normal. It’s sad really. From fairly early most of us are taught that you’re supposed to go through school, get a job, get married, get a house…lead a normal life. For some, that’s fine and they’re happy in their existence. For others, like me, this existence feels like the blood is slowly draining from my veins. And with it my soul, my life force.

So, every five years or so, I change jobs hoping this next one will be fulfilling and somehow my life is going to start. Of course, it never works out this way. I continue to dream of the exciting life I thought I’d have with travels and interesting adventures to write about.

When I was a teenager, many years ago, I lived and breathed photography. I wanted to be a National Geographic photographer. I’d dream of traveling to exotic locales photographing breath taking images and writing captivating articles. I took every art and photo class I could. I took all the writing classes available. I excelled at them. I joined the newspaper, the photo club, the senior yearbook committee. Then I got a “normal” job, and another.

Now the sad thing is, I’m in my forties and still dream of being a full time writer and photographer. And even though I believe it’s possible, it’s harder to find my way back to when I was able to put so much of my time, and myself, into my dream. Now there are children and a stressful forty plus hour a week job and bills and schedules. I’m no longer accountable to just me.

I don’t know exactly at what point I shifted gears to the expected path. But I now realize that I could’ve been the writer/ photographer / mother and enjoyed the last couple of decades far more than I have.

I can now say that I am, finally, working towards my dream vocation. My calling; which I believe everyone has. My God-given talents. And I can also say that I am trying to steer my sons towards becoming what they want to be, not just what’s practical.

So maybe the question we should ask isn’t what do you want to be when you grow up? Maybe the question, when we are grown up, is simply what do you want to be?

By: Jennifer Campbell, writer / photographer