--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were excited about getting jobs; we…" description: "\"“We were excited about getting jobs; we hardly went anywhere without filling out an application. But once we were hired - as furniture sanders - we cou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/miranda-july-1600_sanders_we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-ha_2370061.jpg" --- # We were excited about getting jobs; we hardly went… ![“We were excited about getting jobs; we hardly went anywhere without filling out an application. But once we were hired - as furniture sanders - we could not believe this was really what people did all day. Everything we had thought of as The World was actually the result of someone's job. Each…” quote by Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/miranda-july-1600_sanders_we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-ha_2370061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/miranda-july-1600_sanders_we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-ha_2370061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/miranda-july-1600_sanders_we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-ha_2370061.jpg) > ““We were excited about getting jobs; we hardly went anywhere without filling out an application. But once we were hired - as furniture sanders - we could not believe this was really what people did all day. Everything we had thought of as The World was actually the result of someone's job. Each line on the sidewalk, each saltine. Everyone had a rotting carpet and a door to pay for. Aghast, we quit. There had to be a more dignified way to live. We needed time to consider ourselves, to come up with a theory about who we were and set it to music. Something That Needs Nothing ”” [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People realize their jobs are mundane, prompting a search for dignity and meaning through art. **In simple terms:** Work can feel meaningless, leading to creative self‑discovery. Key Takeaway Seek purpose beyond routine tasks. Themes meaning dignity creativity disillusionment Mood contemplative critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career dissatisfaction - art projects - social commentary Key Concepts existentialism artistic expression labor critique Questions to Reflect On - What does dignity mean to you? - How can creativity reshape your view of work? A Different Perspective Art may not solve practical needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“We were anxious to begin our life as people who had no people. And it was easy to find an apartment because we had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/we-were-anxious-to-begin-our-life-as-people-who-had-no-people-and-it/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [We've made a huge effort globally and in the US, in getting kids jobs. This is one piece. The South Bronx and inner-city schools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dimon/we-ve-made-a-huge-effort-globally-and-in-the-us-in-getting-kids-jobs/) [Jamie Dimon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dimon/) > [I had a brief theater background and loved the backstage world there's more backstage work in television, so I saw a job advertised and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/i-had-a-brief-theater-background-and-loved-the-backstage-world-there/) [Lee Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-child/) > [I went to the University of Georgia for a year before I left, and then I went to live with Eileen Ford in New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-basinger/i-went-to-the-university-of-georgia-for-a-year-before-i-left-and-then/) [Kim Basinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-basinger/) > [I started getting jobs, and I thought it was going to be real easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-silver/i-started-getting-jobs-and-i-thought-it-was-going-to-be-real-easy/) [Ron Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-silver/) > [I am criticized for getting jobs because of my name, but I only use it when I have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ford/i-am-criticized-for-getting-jobs-because-of-my-name-but-i-only-use-it/) [Susan Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ford/) > [I always try to have a bigger picture view of my career. But that didn't mean that I didn't cry about not getting jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/i-always-try-to-have-a-bigger-picture-view-of-my-career-but-that-didn/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [Craigslist was something I was very well-versed in once upon a time with the gig section and getting jobs through there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julio-torres/craigslist-was-something-i-was-very-well-versed-in-once-upon-a-time/) [Julio Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julio-torres/) > [You think when you start getting jobs that it'll get easier, but that's the biggest lie ever. It gets harder. You have to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-condon/you-think-when-you-start-getting-jobs-that-it-ll-get-easier-but-that/) [Kerry Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-condon/) > [I'd go on the train to castings, changing from my school uniform on the train. I carried on like that for a few years,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-moss/i-d-go-on-the-train-to-castings-changing-from-my-school-uniform-on/) [Kate Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-moss/) > [I got the first job and kept going. Once I got a job, I very much wanted to keep getting jobs, basically. I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mendelsohn/i-got-the-first-job-and-kept-going-once-i-got-a-job-i-very-much/) [Ben Mendelsohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mendelsohn/) > [Most young people were getting jobs in big companies, becoming company men. I wanted to be individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/most-young-people-were-getting-jobs-in-big-companies-becoming-company/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I'm the absolute worst at getting jobs, ever. I had 100 rejections before I landed one. I kept all the letters in a folder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-morton/i-m-the-absolute-worst-at-getting-jobs-ever-i-had-100-rejections/) [Timothy Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-morton/) > [I have made comments in favour of British people getting jobs over and above those from southern eastern Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/i-have-made-comments-in-favour-of-british-people-getting-jobs-over/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [If you want to go on a coaching course to become a manager then give yourself a chance. If you don't want to go,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-james/if-you-want-to-go-on-a-coaching-course-to-become-a-manager-then-give/) [David James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-james/) ## More by Miranda July > [Would she understand that time had stopped while she was gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/would-she-understand-that-time-had-stopped-while-she-was-gone/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [I like embracing kind of normal forms but am always trying to approach them as if no one's ever done that before. As if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-like-embracing-kind-of-normal-forms-but-am-always-trying-to/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [“It wasn't good, he wasn't good, he did not have good intentions. I stood there, and he stood there. He breathed out the bitter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/it-wasn-t-good-he-wasn-t-good-he-did-not-have-good-intentions-i-stood/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [The whole thing of working in all these different mediums, it's just so that I can always be playing hooky from one of them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/the-whole-thing-of-working-in-all-these-different-mediums-it-s-just/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [The thing I am most interested in is power relations - it is so easy in a relationship like that \[of an artist and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/the-thing-i-am-most-interested-in-is-power-relations-it-is-so-easy-in/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [Are you angry? Punch a pillow. Was it satisfying? Not hardly. These days people are too angry for punching. What you might try is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/are-you-angry-punch-a-pillow-was-it-satisfying-not-hardly-these-days/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [It was a tiny sound but it woke me up because it was a human sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/it-was-a-tiny-sound-but-it-woke-me-up-because-it-was-a-human-sound/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [I'm not a cinephile. My films don't reference films. I'm more interested in rhythm and feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-m-not-a-cinephile-my-films-don-t-reference-films-i-m-more/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [“We were anxious to begin our life as people who had no people. And it was easy to find an apartment because we had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/we-were-anxious-to-begin-our-life-as-people-who-had-no-people-and-it/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [I'm always the kind of friend or girlfriend who suggests, when there's some cataclysmic problem in the relationship, I'm like, "Well, maybe we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-m-always-the-kind-of-friend-or-girlfriend-who-suggests-when-there-s/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [I wrestle my fears with every big decision I make. Ultimately, maybe all that wrestling does is make you sick of your own thoughts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-wrestle-my-fears-with-every-big-decision-i-make-ultimately-maybe/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [When I had a baby, I was consumed with my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/when-i-had-a-baby-i-was-consumed-with-my-body/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [I'm quite a cerebral person. Often I feel quite stuck in that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/i-m-quite-a-cerebral-person-often-i-feel-quite-stuck-in-that/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [Somewhat predictably, I'm much more comfortable in front of an audience - and a big audience is even better - than faced with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/somewhat-predictably-i-m-much-more-comfortable-in-front-of-an/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [We humans are here because nothing can be perfect. There always have to be some living things that are unsatisfied, itchy, trying too hard.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/we-humans-are-here-because-nothing-can-be-perfect-there-always-have/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) [Explore all 223 Miranda July quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) ## More Sanders quotes > [ Look at what I am proposing, and we \[wih Bernie Sanders\] have a vigorous agreement here. We both want to reign in the excesses… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/look-at-what-i-am-proposing-and-we-wih-bernie-sanders-have-a-vigorous/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The Democrats and the mainstream media shouldn't be so quick to mock White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders for suggesting that President Trump was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/the-democrats-and-the-mainstream-media-shouldn-t-be-so-quick-to-mock/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) > [ The debate was a chance for senator \[Bernie\] Sanders to have a game-changing moment to recapture the news cycle and build momentum going into… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-harris-perry/the-debate-was-a-chance-for-senator-bernie-sanders-to-have-a-game/) [Melissa Harris-Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-harris-perry/) > [ Remember, Bernie \[Sanders\] was the guy. He was the one guy that could win this, and head-to-head he could go against \[Donald\] Trump and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/remember-bernie-sanders-was-the-guy-he-was-the-one-guy-that-could-win/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [I'm going to tell my contestants: Be Bernie Sanders. Be the person people want and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/i-m-going-to-tell-my-contestants-be-bernie-sanders-be-the-person/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [51 years ago, when Hillary Clinton was working on the Goldwater campaign, Bernie Sanders was getting locked up for my rights. 50 years later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/51-years-ago-when-hillary-clinton-was-working-on-the-goldwater/) [Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/) > [Bernie Sanders is the only politician who, consistently for 50 years, has taken that social justice platform into politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/bernie-sanders-is-the-only-politician-who-consistently-for-50-years/) [Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/) > [Bernie Sanders has inspired millions of people in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/bernie-sanders-has-inspired-millions-of-people-in-this-country/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [There's kind of a Tom Harkin aspect to Bernie Sanders, even though Harkin is supporting Secretary Clinton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/there-s-kind-of-a-tom-harkin-aspect-to-bernie-sanders-even-though/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [ The terrible trade deals that Bernie \[Sanders\] was so vehemently against - and he was right on that - will be taken care of,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-terrible-trade-deals-that-bernie-sanders-was-so-vehemently/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Do I want a shot at the belt? Yes, of course I do. Put it this way: I am Barry Sanders on the Detroit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-nelson/do-i-want-a-shot-at-the-belt-yes-of-course-i-do-put-it-this-way-i-am/) [Roy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-nelson/) > [ The most important thing will be building a bench of powerhouse progressives in elected office and in the next administration. \[Bernie\] Sanders has an… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wikler/the-most-important-thing-will-be-building-a-bench-of-powerhouse/) [Ben Wikler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wikler/) > [I don't support everything Bernie Sanders supports, but I support most of it: universal health care, reining in Wall Street, fighting climate change, reversing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-drum/i-don-t-support-everything-bernie-sanders-supports-but-i-support-most/) [Kevin Drum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-drum/) > [You had a socialist get 47 percent of the votes in the Democratic primary: Bernie Sanders. You have an outright white nationalist populist \[Donald…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/you-had-a-socialist-get-47-percent-of-the-votes-in-the-democratic/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [Bernie Sanders is like those liberal members of the German National Socialist Party during the WWII, or of the Italian Fascist movement during Mussolini.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-vltchek/bernie-sanders-is-like-those-liberal-members-of-the-german-national/) [Andre Vltchek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-vltchek/) Browse all 207 Sanders quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We were excited about getting jobs; we hardly went anywhere without filling out an application. But once we were hired - as furniture sanders - we could not believe this was really what people did all day. Everything we had thought of as The World was actually the result of someone's job. Each line on the sidewalk, each saltine. Everyone had a rotting carpet and a door to pay for. Aghast, we quit. There had to be a more dignified way to live. We needed time to consider ourselves, to come up with a theory about who we were and set it to music. Something That Needs Nothing ”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Miranda July" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-hardly-went-anywhere-without/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Sanders" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-hardly-went-anywhere-without/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/miranda-july-1600_sanders_we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-ha_2370061.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/miranda-july-1600_sanders_we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-ha_2370061.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/miranda-july-1600_sanders_we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-ha_2370061.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We were excited about getting jobs; we hardly went anywhere without filling out an application. But once we…” — Miranda July", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Miranda July", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We were excited about getting jobs;...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-hardly-went-anywhere-without/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/we-were-excited-about-getting-jobs-we-hardly-went-anywhere-without/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```