Can golf steer away from workism – the idea that work has become the sole purpose of our lives – and let us identify ourselves as something more than just our nine-to-fives?
Is golf the vehicle that will help us steer away from workism – the idea that work has become the sole purpose of our lives – and let us identify ourselves as something more than just our nine-to-fives?
By Charlotte Ibbetson
Coined by writer Derek Thompson for The Atlantic, workism is a terrifying, rising trend in current-day culture; the notion that work has become the cornerstone of our identities. It suggests that the focus of work has shifted from economic production to becoming the centrepiece of our lives.
In the article, Thompson writes, “work has morphed into a religious identity—promising transcendence and community, but failing to deliver.”
“It’s emotional—even spiritual. The best-educated and highest-earning Americans, who can have whatever they want, have chosen the office for the same reason that devout Christians attend church on Sundays: It’s where they feel most themselves.”
Have we let work take over, over anything else, and made us less about who we are but what we do? Have our jobs become so all-consuming that they’ve morphed, quietly and cunningly, into something of a much a higher power, something we worship?
As I read the article, I am trying to silence the little, anxious voice in my head questioning, “is this me?”. I care passionately about my job, but there are things I care about more, things that make me, things that enable me to 100% escape my nine-to-five life. Then it comes to me: Golf has been a huge factor in helping me to defy the sad notion of workism. Four hours away from a desk, laptop and mobile, a chance to switch off, reconnect and find some head space.
I used to play golf almost solely to compete, but I continue to play for all of the health, wellbeing and social benefits of the game. The physical and psychological health benefits of sport in general are so well-documented, but I think we often forget to apply them to golf. Well, now we can add one more benefit: Golf is the antidote to workism – something I think we should be shouting from the rooftops.
What do you think? Is the golf course your happy place? Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].