Berry French Toast Bake | & Why Your Job Isn't Your Whole Life (Even If It Feels That Way) 🍓🍞🫐
This Berry French Toast Bake is the perfect addition to your Easter brunch! It’s everything you love about classic French toast: soft, custardy brioche with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. It truly feels like having dessert for breakfast. The tangy creaminess of the scattered cream cheese, the juicy, sweet berries and the crumble topping takes this dessert to a whole new level!
Scroll down for the full recipe!
Why is it that every time we meet someone new, the first thing we ask is, “What do you do for work?” Why do we ask kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?,”expecting answers like doctor, lawyer, or teacher? Why do we make our careers our entire personality and livelihood?
And I get why we do. Work is a big part of our lives. We spend most our days there. It pays the bills. And for most of us, it brings us fulfillment and a sense of purpose. I truly love what I do, and I genuinely couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But at the same time.. I know that we are so much more than our jobs.
Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing our identity is only what we do for work, and that’s just not true. We’re complex beings. There are so many beautiful parts of us that have nothing to do with productivity or titles.
This is something I struggle with too. I tend to tie my value and self-worth to how well my career is going. I get so attached to my identity surrounding my career. If it’s not meeting my expectations or progressing fast enough, I spiral. I feel insecure, like I’m failing, not just at work, but as a human being. I get so wrapped up in being productive and finding my “purpose” that I end up anxious, depressed, and totally disconnected from everything and everyone else.
And for what?
Yes, I want a fulfilling, successful career. But not at the cost of my peace, my joy, or my mental health.
The crazy thing is: I constantly think about all the things I want to do and be outside of work. But I convince myself I can’t do any of it unless I’ve “earned it” by being successful enough. I don’t allow myself to enjoy life until I feel like I’ve achieved something.
What kind of thinking is that???
We aren’t machines. We weren’t put here just to work. We’re here to live, to experience joy, rest, love, creativity, connection. Work is just a small piece of the puzzle.
I don’t believe we need to earn rest or happiness. And I definitely don’t believe that our careers define us. Sure, our work can be a part of our identity, but that’s it, just one part.
So what else makes us who we are?
That’s up to each of us. Our hobbies, our interests, our relationships, our values, our personalities. All the little things we love and enjoy.
But something happened recently that completely shifted my perspective, and it came from the last place I expected.