this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2023
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It's not that I can't imagine it. It's just that it's so rare and difficult to find a job that also perfectly aligns with personal fulfillment that I consider it terrible advice.
Like, there's a reason there is a "starving artist" stereotype. The chances of "making it big" as an artist are pretty slim, and if I told an artistic kid to simply follow their passion and it'll work out, I'd be lying. I know some professional artists actually, and they said 80% of the job is basically marketing themselves and negotiating contracts, not making art... so even if they end up (technically) doing what they love, the job might not be what they expect.
You can consider yourself lucky that you managed to find something that works, but I would never advise a kid in high school to severely limit themselves at the starting line or to set unrealistic expectations.
Yeah but you see… it doesn’t have to be perfect, and it probably never is, especially in the beginning of one’s career.
Also, while it’s clear that artists have rarely ever had a good income (only post mortem), it’s not too hard to find meaning and joy in non-artistic jobs that would bore others to death. Be it a trade or theoretical physics. Maybe even working with customers in some way although it’s hard to imagine.
I just don’t like the fatalistic approach to life that because chances to find great work are supposedly slim, you shouldn’t even strive for that, and I hope you will find something good for yourself as well. Life is like a box of chocolates (sorry, cheesy LOL).