A Strange Dichotomy

Looking for a job in this market presents a strange dichotomy. On the one hand, I could really use a job for a bit more purpose in my life and, quite frankly, for financial reasons. On the other hand, this has been the most creative I have been in years. Working on music, design, and art during this time of not having a job has filled my soul. I truly love it. More importantly, there is an unshakable belief that this is what I have always been meant to do.

At the same time, there’s a gut instinct that the industry I spent the last twenty years working in has fundamentally changed and won’t be going back to the way it was. Applying to jobs today often feels futile. We’re told networking is the way forward, but even that has brought limited return in my experience. Sometimes I’m left wondering if applying is even worthwhile.

Then there is the feeling that I may need to reinvent myself in some fashion. If finding a job in my profession is no longer in the cards, is making creativity my “job” realistic? So I find myself sitting in the middle of that tension.

As much as I love making art, one question keeps rattling around in the back of my mind: how the hell does one make a living at it?