Mauve 👁💜 @mauve@mastodon.mauve.moe

I think it's sad that we've lost sight of doing things for fun. I get asked often why I don't start a shop and sell candles and tea and soap. Usually when I give them as gifts. And the thing is, I love making this stuff, either for myself or for others. But giving something as a gift is different than making a product for a client/customer. Not everything needs to make money. I realize that this suggestion that I sell whatever is because obviously in today's world having more money and more security is good. But I have a job that i do to make money. I teach technology. Tech isn't a passion. It pays well and I feel good knowing that I'm helping my students have more independence and the ability to make informed choices because they have access to the wider world because of the technology. But in my not work time, I have zero interest in beta testing or coding, or reading about it, or trying this or that. I read enough to be informed but Tech isn't what lights me up. It pays the bills, and I really appreciate that because i have a job I love working with awesome humans. And then, when I've done my work I can go home to the things that fill my cup. Candlemaking, or making different things like soap or tea blends. It is a very meditative and relaxing experience and the work for me is the experience I enjoy. I love when other people enjoy what I make but I think if I were to need to do it for money it would turn something I love into something that stresses me out. It's ok to do things for fun, it's ok to not want to take what you find fun and monetize it. I'm saying this because surely, surely I cannot be the only person who feels this way, but even if it is, thats OK, because I'm having a good time.