You know how many times someone has asked me what my dream job would be and I’ve told them only to see the surprise on their face. Those people must not really know. What do you think my dream job would be? A writer? A stay-at-home dad? A project manager at a small translation agency in Southeastern Wisconsin? While I’d enjoy all of these, I’d hardly call them dream jobs.

As a writer, I’d know I’d suffer from writer’s block and lack of motivation to write. I’d go through spurts of creativity but then I’d have dry spells after I’d have burned myself out. I’d love to be a writer, but I get anxious just thinking about making it my full-time career. However, there’s room to be a writer with my dream job.

I wouldn’t mind being a stay-at-home dad because why not? I’d get to spend my days with my kids, knowing they’re being raised right. I’d be developing a bond with them that I wouldn’t get if I was working late at an office. But I know I’d get restless. I’d want to get up and do things or feel like I was producing something.

Don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying the work I do as a project manager at a small translation agency in Southeastern Wisconsin, but it’s hardly what I want to do with my life. I’ve been at this job only 10 months and it feels like I’ve mastered 75-80% of the job already. Give it another year, and I’ll feel like there’s nothing else for me to learn nor anywhere for me to move up to.

You want to know what my dream job is? I want to be a mailman. It’s a beautiful thought to me. Let me justify it before you tell me that I’m settling. First and foremost, I’m not sitting at a desk all day. I’ve done it for 10 months and I hate that restless feeling that develops midday. Second, I’d be walking. I’d be walking all day. It’s a great way to stay in shape without having to actively work for it. I’d actually be getting paid to stay in shape and I like that. Third, I’d be outside. Sure, I’d be outside in wind, rain, and stormy weather and maybe some snow unless I play my cards right. But I’d be outside. I wouldn’t be in a climate controlled, stuffy office. Fourth, I’d be able to nose into people’s lives a bit by seeing the mail that I’d be delivering. Obviously, I couldn’t open it but I could read the addresses and things and imagine the kind of person who gets those pieces of mail. I could then construct personalities and stories that surround those people who brings me to my last point. I wouldn’t have to worry about thinking about much more than getting the mail into the boxes so I’d have all day to myself and my thoughts. From experience, this is the best way for me to work on my stories. Then, when I get home, I could put those thoughts on paper and rework them the following day at work.

That’s why I want to be a mailman.

What’s your dream job?