The Timeless Dilemma

That Girl asked:
How can I handle being too not-wealthy to do the work I really love? I don’t have a rich husband to bank roll my hobby into a full-time gig so what’s a creative type to do? Stop paying the bills and eat ramen and hope I don’t get kicked out of my apartment?

I’m assuming that since your work is one that does not invariable provide a large volume of payment, you are an artist of some sort. If I’m wrong, you can just substitute your line of work for “artist” throughout the post. 😉

Ah, the timeless dilemma of the artist who finds that in order for her art to pay her bills, she must devote much time to that art, but in the time that she devotes to the art, her bills most unkindly demand to be payed. When she realizes that “oh dear, I haven’t payed my bills; this must be resolved!” her art suffers in turn. What then is an artist in such a state to do? This same story could also be said of me, though the pronouns in my case are decidedly of the male gender. I have as yet to untangle my confusion, but I have had some ideas for resolution.

Like this’ll ever happen…

My first thought was that one day some wandering stranger would notice the spark of creativity that shines so brightly within my soul, inform me of his or her observation, and go on to detail his or her rich and powerful position and line of work of funding such people who wish to do nothing more than write random stories and take photographs. Unfortunately, no such individual has appeared, so perhaps that avenue, whilst always open, is not one from which to expect much aid.

I then turned my attention to the interwebs, for herein are contained many marvels and opportunities which bespeak themselves of great employment status and funding sources through the pockets of willing strangers. While I had some luck on sites such as ebay with small trinkets and devices, it seems that many others contend for the attention and wallets of those who enjoy a good story or image.

This being found, I turned my attention to the real world. Herein I found such things as I wished not to have discovered. I learned the meaning of a 48 hour workweek and the boring machinations of the corporations contrived for the improvement of productions and profits. Yet, while the sum deposited into my bank is not unwelcome, the time required to gain such a return discourages the creative and douses that spark so deeply hidden. So, in short, I am in the same boat as you.

What then shall we do? I rather like the idea of walking away from the traditional rat race, and I doubt that I will continue in this vein for long. Who knows, we may perhaps one day discover a job that caters to both the creative side and the side of us that pays the bills. Have you considered becoming an Underwater Basket Weaver? I hear the pay is very good…

Cheers,
~XK

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