What do?
Art is a tricky thing, suppose worse case you can't make it with that, there comes a certain age, you can't go keep switching jobs forever or be stuck with "crappy" jobs.
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I used to worry a lot that I should have a 'career' by this time in my life. Then I found out that most of my old school friends on Facebook who kept posting about how great they were doing couldn't sleep at night due to all their debt. My life has been a shambles but I'm not in any debt and I own property in full. I've done something right. I can't keep switching jobs like I have done - but there are various ways of looking at that. Should I stick to one job or am I just not cut out for jobs, art or otherwise?
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How much was the house?
Weren't you past the thirties also? I never knew what i wanted to be, i was good with pc's so i went for computer certificates but couldn't find a job in that. I have also done all sorts of things and now i have a training hanging to be an (assembly) mechanic, though there is still a bit of choice in what range, i am also struggling with is this fun to do for the rest of my life, on the other hand i have to go for something at one point.
I am not artsy (a child can even draw a stickman better then me), but i do have ideas about my own business but can't do much with that because of lacking money, and guts atm. Kinda do feel you on the whole am i even good for anything though, the what is my "meaning/purpose" in this life.
I wouldn't even mind being a stay at home dad, but i don't want to mooch of a woman either, and am not looking for love until i actually have money..
You will make the right choice.
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It was a house that an elderly man had lived in and had literally had no improvements done on it since the 1950s, plus it is an unfashionable area with little available work. I got it for less than £50k. Sadly I am past my thirties by a slight margin.
I got pushed into a Physics degree because I was good at maths but realised that wasn't what I wanted. I've used my qualifications to have good jobs in the past even if they weren't necessarily related. I've been really let down in the past though by changes of government/management and I'm very cynical now about working for other people.
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There is always a third option, start something for yourself that's a little more secure then art (which you could still do on the side).
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I think career and monetary choices are two different things. Many of your friends sounds like they fucked up the second part while you did it well :) the first part is up to you to be figured out, but for me, it sounds pretty good that you have a grasp on what you have, want or don't want. While I do hope things will turn out as you imagine, I don't really worry for you, you will be alright :)
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When I was a kid my dad got taken out of my family unexpectedly. I dropped out of school and worked two jobs to support my mom and younger sisters. I went back to college later but I've always been really paranoid about money and made sure to work hard to have more coming in than going out. When it came to it I had a lot more stashed away than I thought. Like with most things it's double-edged - I'm not in debt but I find it hard to turn down work even if it doesn't suit me.
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If it were me, I'd prolly take that part time offer. The current job just doesn't seem worth it if you're miserable there on top of not having the personal time to enjoy the extra cash.
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I'm not miserable, I'm just sort of existing and nothing else. I keep finding excuses to stay but they are harder and harder to justify.
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Many will find that in a partner, kids, but don't count on them to fill your voids, but to add to your life.
You got a property and no debt*, and some work, that's the first step.
*said job instead of debt.
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I wish I could give you a more substantive answer but the best I can do is say take the job with the best (or least worse) satisfaction/pay index.
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I obviously don't expect everybody to have an informed opinion or even take the time to fully read the topic - I appreciate that much of a reply!
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I would talk with your current employer and tell them that you can't dedicate them more than X hours a day because you have a side activity. If they fire you then you have the other job offer as a backup.
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I've been doing that since November. I expected to be working a lot of hours over the Christmas period because of how busy the nature of the business would be - after that my department was supposed to be getting a new computer system that would make everything more efficient and everything would be better for me. Except the new computer system is crap and doesn't make anything better. And another member of staff has been sacked and I've been covering for his job and recruitment for a replacement has ground to a halt because I'm doing such a great job covering for him. And it just seems like I'm getting a lot of promises that have nothing to do with what is actually happening.
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If they see that they can do just fine with one person less they'll keep exploiting the situation as long as possible because it saves them money. Make it clear you're working for two people and can't continue doing it for long, or if you decide to continue at least ask for a raise (but judging from your post it seems like you'd be happier with less money and more free time).
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You should take the other job. They are using you now for cheap labor, exploiting the situation. You owe them nothing.
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making art when you're starving and can't pay your bills is a crapshoot full of desperation, so: if the bin lorry job pays your rent and puts food in your mouth while freeing up the time you need for your art, go for it. you don't have to be ahead financially to be happy and fulfilled, you just need to cover the basics so you can participate in what you want to do without worrying about if the heat will stay on or not.
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What kind of art? That makes a difference when making a decision.
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I've done a lot of different things to be honest. I was doing a lot of pet portraits (some attached) although I found dealing with customers and their expectations to be difficult. I've done a lot of fan art or 'erotic art' and occasionally struggled with legal action. I'd decided I wanted to focus on more personal stuff, which I have made money out of, but at the moment I'm actually achieving nothing...
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yes, customers and copyright is always an issue for art. i think it is better to focus on your art direction more, if you are truly passionate about art. are you a painter, illustrator or animator? Illustrator makes more money now, companies pay good for corporate art. Painter is more independent, but you can make much more by being in cities with lots of rich people like LA, NY, Paris, etc.
My grandmother was an illustrator early in her life, then later became a painter. Years ago, she sold paintings for $500 to $1000 each, but she was in a small city and was married, so didn't need the money.
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Mostly a painter. I've tried different things and I've done stuff I wasn't happy doing when I needed cash. I'm currently trying to focus on stuff I can sell prints of without worrying about copyright or other issues. Some of my best work has been commissions but I obviously can't sell prints of peoples pets or children and often I don't have permission to use it to publicise myself so I'm trying to move away from that. It's something I have made money out of but I'm struggling to find the best way to do it. Something that was supposed to be part time work while I worked through that has taken over my life if that makes sense.
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I think you already know the answer to this. If money is more important in this part of your life then stick with your current job. If happiness and enjoying your life is more important to you, then do what your heart tells you to do.
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My Epic Game Store exclusive was hacked by scammers
Clearly, the solution is to make a throwaway account exclusively for Epic Games, then use GOG Connect so you can play your Epic exclusives on GOG. That way, when the scammers try to hack your game through Epic, they get nothing (they can't hack it through GOG since it's an Epic exclusive).
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I've seen your work. Minor yet essential correction. You are not trying to be an artist, you are an artist.
Also, I'm in France now. To go to France is never the answer.
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I have family in Normandy and lived there for a while with them and I really enjoyed it - maybe it isn't really a long term solution but there are a lot of things I miss about the place...
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I'm dreaming of packing parcel for santa's gift in his workshop :3
So you took the part time job offer ?
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My best advise: do both!
Stick with your art and try and get a part time job to pay the bills.
Your soul thrives on the art, don't forfeit on it!
I have a nephew who does this, he works 2-3 days and the rest is for his art.
He's not rich, but he can pay the bills and spend time on his art.
When you have a talent, forfeiting on it is never a good idea!
And your surplus keys are great, thanks!
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They targeted gamers.
Gamers
We're a group of people who will sit for hours, days, even weeks on end performing some of the hardest, most mentally demanding tasks. Over, and over, and over all for nothing more than a little digital token saying we did.
We'll punish our selfs doing things others would consider torture because we think it's fun.
We'll spend most if not all of our free time min maxing the stats of a fictional character all to draw out a single extra point of damage per second.
Many of us have made careers out of doing just these things: slogging through the grind, all day, the same quests over and over, hundreds of times to the point where we know every little detail such that some have attained such gamer nirvana that they can literally play these games blindfolded.
Do these people have any idea how many controllers have been smashed, systems overheated, disks and carts destroyed in frustration? All to latter be referred to as bragging rights?
These people honestly think this is a battle they can win? They take our media? We're already building a new one without them. They take our devs? Gamers aren't shy about throwing their money elsewhere, or even making the games our selves.They picked a fight against a group that's already grown desensitized to their strategies and methods. Who enjoy the battle of attrition they've threatened us with. Who take it as a challange when they tell us we no longer matter. Our obsession with proving we can after being told we can't is so deeply ingrained from years of dealing with big brothers/sisters and friends laughing at how pathetic we used to be that proving you people wrong has become a very real need; a honed reflex.
Gamers are competative, hard core, by nature. We love a challange. The worst thing you did in all of this was to challange us. You're not special, you're not original, you're not the first; this is just another boss fight.
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Quit work, tread water until becoming a famous artist
Although save some money first. It might not work if you will leave under constant pressure caused by taxes and simple fact that you have to eat :)
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I've calmed down a lot since a I made this post and you do speak with the voice of reason. I should at least be sensible until I've paid for urgent repairs to the roof of my house...
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I speak from my own experience :p
I did pretty much the same. I was unemployed by choice for almost two years and I had great time :D
Only difference was that I wasn't trying to become artist not that you have to - YOU already ARE ONE but just focused on spending time with my wife and 2 kids :) And playing games obviously xD
Bonus part was that rest of my family was thinking that we had no savings at all xD I heard that I should find a job every day. And stuff like what are you gonna eat? You want your family to starve to death? And so on...
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Just know that there is a LOT of competition in the art field, and depending on the specific industry/field of art you pursue your income/jobs can be quite volatile.
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I've been doing it long enough to know how it works. I can consistently make money in certain areas although I find it stressful. I'm trying to move into other fields but that is difficult so I fall back on what is easy. It's a dilemma that I guess is easier to answer when you make it a binary choice.
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Why though. Why not get trained in a related field?
I'm a graphic designer. I love traditional art - oil painting to be precise, but I knew I could never make a living doing that. So, I went for something related that I do enjoy doing. Sure... I meet the odd oddball client that is very hard to please, but for the most part it's rewarding. I had taken up software development (now have a postgrad in it) as a means to move into UX design because jobs in the print industry are not as plentiful as they used to be.
And that's where most of the jobs are, in UX design. You could even start up your own business doing that. Of course it would require classes, online or otherwise. If you're already an artist, you would be suited to something like that. It's never too late to learn a new skill.
Maybe it's not something you'd like to do, but... thought I'd throw that out there to a fellow artist. :)
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I appreciate the input and I did look into this. After a few google searches my ads on SG and other sites are now all about UX design...
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Haha! That's funny. Hope you found it interesting either way. Whatever you do, I do hope that you find something that allows you the best of both worlds; enjoying life by not working all hours god sends, while also earning enough money to allow you to enjoy life.
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I'm quite impulsive too when it comes to work but remember that every job has bad times even the best of them. Chill and assess or bounce off someone you can talk to directly to play devils advocate.
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Before now I'd have stomped out a week ago. I'm really trying to be more sensible about it right now.
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Just brainstorming! :D Make your own startup sorting packages, be the sole employee, and contract out your work: since you'd be an employee of the contracting company, the only entity who could promote you would be yourself, and I imagine the most the other company could do would be to try to "poach" you away from your contracting company. Or... maybe consider moving to a different country where you're allowed to stay in a job you're happy at, rather than being force-promoted then taken advantage of? Just thinking -- someone in your position in the US would generally demand a raise and / or promotion for doing all the overtime (& extra) work, sue if they never got recompensated for overtime, and either stay at the company after getting their money or start looking around for a better place to work (sometimes both, which gives them bargaining power since they could just up and move any time). And at least with a lawyer, think of it this way: they'd be teaching the company to stop abusing anyone else in their employ, saving a lot of people misery. That's the end of my brainstorming. :)
In any case, feel better!
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My current company sort 140,000 packages per night - I'm not sure a one-man startup would be able to compete with them!
I've lived and worked in different countries and I don't think that is so much the problem. I've moved to a rural area now and there aren't many employment opportunities around and my employer is clearly used to taking advantage of that. I've bought a house here and although my long term plan is to do it up and sell it I'm stuck with what I have right now.
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Try doing both would be my advice too. Have the art part as a hobby and see how far can you get with it, but do keep a job to have some security in life.
Good luck and never abandon your dreams!
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A few years ago I was in a similar work situation, much responsibility added, sometimes 100+ hour work weeks (salaried, so no extra $$), and generally a miserable experience. I got out of there the first chance I got when I was lucky enough to be hired for a much better job. But... I stuck it out until then. It was rough, but I think the best course of action I could have taken.
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I'm at least getting paid for the hours I'm doing and I keep thinking 'one more month' and I've had much worse jobs. But in some ways that just makes it hard to draw a line when I don't see what future I have with this. I'd already decided I wasn't going to get dragged into this kind of thing but here I am...
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I don't even know what to reply to. Title, work, or something somewhere...
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Not sure if this is sensible advice but trying to set definite part time hours (reasons why? well, you have an artwork project to create, a house to finish, a sick relative??).
It sounds like you found the great balance between work and personal time that we all secretly want. Perhaps it is possible to go back to that. They are piling on the responsibilities because you are doing a good job and they have no one better. Maybe talk to the supervisor. After all - they very well might just lose you alltogether (for the bin job). So surely a compromise is better for them (and you, obviously).
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I really like my line manager and I'm happy working for him and I don't want to let him down. I know he understands my situation and wants to work with me but frankly I think he is getting shit on. Not long ago he had time off with stress and I ended up doing his job as well. I get on with his boss in turn but I think he is having unrealistic demands placed on him as well. It is an awkward situation but I'm thinking I have to do what is best for me and there are promises being made that are actually beyond the control of the people making them. Frankly I think I've been through this before and I should have gotten out earlier back then.
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Yes, you must do what feels right for you. I know that the current workplace situation in Australia (where employers feel that their employees are the biggest expense they have) means that as some employees leave the expectation is the remaining ones will just pick up the slack. It leads to overwork and general unhappiness.
And customer relations is really hard. I have a job in a supermarket. Work on a register, scanning groceries, answer the phone (because the bosses do not staff the office), serving liquor. The bad customers are the ones that can break you and they are the ones you think of after work when you try and relax. It is not much of a job, but it is a local supermarket and there is a joy in talking to lots of the locals every day, sharing their small joys and some of their sadnesses.
For me, those customers are what it is about, and they are the reason I get up and go to work. If you have no core part of your job that gives you that feeling, if when you wake up you really dread going to work - ask to go back to the mail room or find other work because you are part way to leaving anyway.
So, not much help, but doing what feels right for you is the essence of the message. Good luck :)
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Generally I like dealing with people and helping them with their problems. But in my job I sometimes get people who just want to be dicks and I don't deal with that kind of thing very well. I'm sure some people here on SG will confirm that I can be overly explosive at times. Overall I can stand back and see the big picture once I calm down but against the backdrop of all the extra hours I don't want to be doing I'm currently struggling.
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Instead of spending your surplus cash on things that don't make you feel better, spend it on creating your art or fixing up the house. Just pick something as a goal and then do it. If it makes you feel good, do it again. If you are working too long, pick a day that you just clock in and clock out. Not everything is so urgent it can't wait until tomorrow.
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if you want to be an artist then be an artist.
follow your heart.
do what you want to do, be who you want to be.
being semi-poor and happy beats being semi-rich and hating your life any day of the week.
i know a person 10 years younger than me with more money in their bank account now than i will earn in the next 10 years (most likely).
and every working day i hear them complaining about the job and whining my ear off.
don't be like that.
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So often when I have a few surplus game keys I hide them in a troll thread and see how many blacklists I get for giving games away. And after the Fanatical bundlefest I was going to do that today but as I have a real life dilemma I thought I'd ask a genuine question for a change. I frankly don't expect any sensible answers - but I do expect the mad responses I get to convince me that I knew best all along.
As some might already know I'm trying to be an artist and I've also bought a ramshackle house that I was intending to fix up myself. Between the art and not paying rent and some crap lodgers I can just about scrape by in life without doing anything else - although the DIY was proving far more problematic than I intended.
Last Summer I got a job at a local parcel company, working for a few hours of an evening sorting parcels. This was actually working out really well for me. I had plenty of time to do what I wanted, I had a bit of extra cash and I was having a laugh with the people I was working with.
After a few months somebody noticed that I was rather overqualified and I got moved to an admin job working afternoons which was initially pretty sweet, but since then I've been working longer and longer hours and having more and more responsibilities dumped on me. In the present climate I shouldn't really complain about having work but I have no time for what I want to do and I'm spending the surplus cash on things I don't really need to make me feel better and basically I'm back in the place I was sick of that made me want to pursue my art in the first place.
I've had a really bad week fixing the problems of ungrateful morons and I was ready to quit but I'm trying not to make decisions while angry as I always end up shooting myself in the foot when I do that. And then today an employment agency I used to work for phoned up wanting me to start part time work as a bin man on Monday morning. That actually sounds pretty tempting right now.
So where do I go from here?
The surplus game keys? Oh, I'm sure those are around somewhere, I did post this on Steam Gifts after all...
EDIT - The giveaways are ending soon. I appreciate the responses, which were unexpected in terms of their number and how helpful people were trying to be. I've replied to a number but wasn't able to reply to all. I'm still uncertain about my future but I have calmed down a lot since making this post and peoples replies did certainly help me get some perspective. I'll try not to bother people with this kind of thing again for a long time.
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