9th April 2026
For many people, work is more than a job. It shapes how they see themselves and how they answer a simple question like, “How are you?” Increasingly, the answer is tied to how things are going at work. According to reporting from ABC’s Life Matters, this reflects a broader shift in how identity and employment have become closely linked.
According to clinical psychologist Nasalifya Namwinga from the Pola Practice in Melbourne, people are often drawn to careers that reflect who they are. Work can feel meaningful because it aligns with personal values and interests. However, this can make it harder to separate identity from occupation.
Labour reporter Simone Stolzoff, author of The Good Enough Job, argues that modern culture has elevated the importance of work to an unrealistic status. According to Stolzoff, many people now look to their jobs for purpose, belonging and self-worth, not just income. He refers to this idea as “workism,” a term first coined by journalist Derek Thompson. While this mindset can feel motivating, it also carries risks.
According to Stolzoff, relying on work as a primary source of identity can leave people vulnerable if that job changes or disappears. It can also create constant pressure for work to feel perfect, which often leads to disappointment. He stresses that people hold many roles beyond their job, including being friends, neighbours, and members of a community.
The challenge then becomes how to build a stronger sense of self outside of work. According to Stolzoff, the answer does not lie in dramatic life changes. Instead, he suggests small and consistent actions. Simple habits such as a weekly walk with a friend or a short daily creative activity can help build a more balanced identity over time.
Research and clinical experience suggest that hobbies alone are not always the solution. Namwinga explains that the key is understanding personal values. According to her work, people should reflect on why they chose their career and what they enjoy outside of it. These insights can reveal patterns that help guide meaningful activities beyond work.
There is also a need to shift how people approach these activities. According to Namwinga, turning hobbies into side hustles can undermine their value. She encourages people to focus on enjoyment rather than outcomes. The benefit comes from the act itself, not from achievement or productivity.
Real life experiences reflect this shift. One ABC listener described how a period of depression led him to reassess his relationship with work. With support, he began exploring creative interests without pressure to succeed. This helped him rebuild a sense of identity that wasn’t tied to status or productivity.
Stolzoff offers a practical way to rethink work itself. According to his research, viewing a job as an economic relationship can be helpful. This perspective does not reduce commitment or effort. Instead, it creates space for other parts of life to hold equal importance. He defines a “good enough” job as one that supports the kind of life a person wants to live.
The idea is not to reject work, but to rebalance it. Work can still be meaningful, but it should not be everything. According to Life Matters, building a non-work identity is an ongoing process. This well-rounded sense of self is shaped by small choices, personal values, and a willingness to invest time in other parts of life.
In a culture that often celebrates productivity above all else, this shift can feel unfamiliar. However, it offers something valuable. A more stable and flexible sense of self that can adapt as life changes.
