Who Are We Without Work? The Real Impact of Automation
I took my dream job in 2016. I moved to Sydney from Melbourne and started my first official paid job as a writer for one of Australia’s big 4 banks. I had a career where I travelled for work, stayed in nice hotels, flew business class and had a gold tag on my suitcase to get into the business class lounges. I’d be lying if this didn’t make me feel like “I had made it”.
After a few months, I left this role, threw my whole corporate career in the bin and started what would be a seven-year journey of travel and freelancing.
For a while, I lent on my previous job title to get me new roles, but as time ticked past, this part of my identity fell away, and it wasn’t a good feeling. The longer I was without work the worse I felt. Every day, chips of my self-worth and self-confidence crumbled to the floor, and soon, I was left with nothing but the withered foundations of who I used to be. While I loved the freedom of freelancing, I desperately missed the security, respect and paycheck.
It took a long time for me to find my footing again, and now, with AI looming on the horizon, many of us may be faced with the question– who am I without my career?
Are you your job?
Everyone’s buzzing about AI taking our jobs and what that’ll mean for our wallets. But here’s the twist—freaking out about how we’ll make money might actually be missing the point.
Yes, we’ll still need to pay the bills (we’re not escaping that anytime soon), but automation is going to change how we do that. As AI steps in, the cost of goods and services will drop dramatically. We’re looking at a world where things get way more affordable. So, the big question isn’t “how do we make ends meet?” It’s “who are we when work isn’t what defines us anymore?”
The Bigger Problem: Identity Crisis
For so long, our jobs have been the shorthand for who we are. Think about it—what’s the first thing people ask when they meet you? “So, what do you do?” It’s the default conversation starter because we’ve tied our identity to our work.
But when AI reshapes the way we work—or takes certain jobs away altogether—it’s not just a career shake-up. It’s an identity crisis waiting to happen.
What’s life going to look like when your job title isn’t your defining feature? When “what do you do?” isn’t even relevant anymore?
The Time Question
Here’s where things get interesting. Automation and AI aren’t just about job loss—they’re also about creating excess time. And while some of that time will go toward making money in new ways (hello, gig economy 2.0 or creative hustles), the real shift is figuring out how to spend the rest of it.
Reconnecting With Purpose: What gives your life meaning when the 9-to-5 isn’t your anchor?
Chasing Passions: Have you always wanted to learn the guitar, write a novel, or start a podcast? This could be your chance.
Redefining Success: What if it’s no longer about productivity but about fulfillment, creativity, and connection?
Let’s Talk Money
Look, the financial side still matters. We’re not suddenly living in a utopia where everything is free. But with costs dropping and new ways to earn cropping up (side gigs, passion projects, or maybe even universal basic income—who knows?), money will still flow. It just might look a little different.
The Real Conversation
The big takeaway? This isn’t just about jobs or the economy. It’s about us. It’s about figuring out who we are outside of the grind. AI might take some of our tasks, but it’s giving us the chance to reimagine our lives.
So, the real question isn’t “what happens if I lose my job?” It’s “what happens when I have more time and fewer limits?” It’s time to rethink how we define ourselves, spend our days, and find purpose beyond the paycheck.
The future is coming, and yeah, it’s a little scary—but it’s also an opportunity. So… who do you want to be when work isn’t the answer?
