We all have something we rely on when times get tough. Something that still carries us when everything else falls apart. For some, it’s a job title. For others, a calling. For a few, it’s a pair of strong hands, an old craft, or a skill that repeatedly proves to be a lifeline. In my world, I call it my “bread and butter.” The foundation. What puts food on the table when life is at its most unpredictable.
But what does it really mean to have a “bread and butter”? And what happens when the thing you’ve lived on changes, gets questioned, or is forgotten? This article isn’t just about income. It’s about identity, self-reliance, and understanding what you truly hold in your hands – both literally and figuratively.
Bread and Butter – a Metaphor for Survival
The expression “bread and butter” simply refers to the basics – what keeps you afloat. In working life, it’s often used to describe your main source of income – the thing you do to stay alive.
But it’s more than that. It’s about security. What you know you can fall back on when the rest of the world feels uncertain. For me, it has always been my hands. They have hammered, screwed, lifted, sawed, and repaired. Sometimes on a construction site. Sometimes in a ship’s kitchen in the middle of the Atlantic. Sometimes as the person who steps in when something breaks and no one else dares to touch it.
My bread and butter isn’t just my practical skills – it’s also my experience. What I carry from a life full of odd jobs, unexpected situations, and the instinct to always say “I’ll give it a try.”Two Suitcases Full – What Do I Do Now?
Today I find myself at a new stage in life. After decades of working, leading, creating, and learning, I now stand with two full suitcases. Not packed with clothes – but with tools. Tools for building, repairing, leading, inspiring, and creating. Tools I've collected from a life that never followed a straight path.
So, what do I do now?
I’m rebranding myself – not to chase income, but because my brain demands activity. I’m not wired for stillness. I don’t seek silence or long days with nothing to solve. My mind needs challenges, purpose, rhythm. Rebranding is not about becoming someone new to sell myself better. It’s about keeping myself alive inside.
I’m not doing this for a paycheck – but if I can make a living from my knowledge, that’s just a bonus. The real drive is internal. To stay curious. To keep building. To stay awake in the world. To stay useful – first and foremost, to myself.
I am no longer just the fixer. Now I’m building something new – out of everything I know. I still use my hands, but now I also use my brain, my heart, and my story. I’m a storyteller, a speaker, a mentor, a builder of confidence. I share what I’ve learned – not to impress, but to offer something real.
Rebranded – But Still Grounded
To rebrand yourself doesn’t mean becoming someone else. It means showing the world a clearer picture of who you’ve always been.
I’ve always approached problems differently. Where others saw walls, I saw doors. Where others gave up, I found another way. That same mindset now guides me as I help others find their next step, their courage, their direction.
My bread and butter has become my brand. My identity. My foundation. And in this new version of myself – version 2.0 – everything I’ve been is now my asset. My mistakes are learning tools. My detours are stories. My toolbox is filled with more than tools – it holds perspective.
From Craftsman to Pathfinder
I still work with my hands – but sometimes they write instead of drill. Sometimes they point to a whiteboard, lead a workshop, or draw up a plan. I still build – but now I build talks, concepts, strategies, confidence. I still fix things – but sometimes it’s broken self-esteem, or a stalled project in need of new energy.
What I used to do physically, I now also do mentally. My ability to spot solutions, structure chaos, and get things done – that’s still with me, whether I’m holding a screwdriver or a microphone.
I Carry These Suitcases With Pride
The two suitcases I carry – full of tools, stories, systems, knowledge, and courage – are not a burden. They are my superpowers. I can pull out exactly what’s needed, at the right moment. A real-life story. A solution no one thought of. A method that just works.
Many people say they’re versatile. I live it. I’ve had to be. Not because it looked good in a job interview – but to survive.
What’s Your Bread and Butter – and What Can You Build From It?
The bigger question is not only: “What is my bread and butter?”
The real question is: What can I do with it?
For me, it’s become a whole new chapter. A creative, free, and intentional chapter where I write the headline myself. I no longer wait for permission. I no longer apply for jobs where I need to fit in. I create my own space – where I already fit.
And you – what’s in your suitcase? What have you done a thousand times that you no longer see as special? What do people take for granted about you, that might actually be your greatest strength?
Final Thought – From Bread and Butter to Purpose
My bread and butter sustained me for years.
Now it sustains my soul.
I’ve found a way to let all that I carry not just survive – but bloom. I am no longer just a handyman. I am a full story. And now I tell it forward.
So the next time you stand there, holding your own suitcases – look down into them. That’s your life’s work.
The question isn’t whether it’s enough.
The question is: What are you ready to build next –
with what you already carry?
By Chris...
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