Can't tell you how many downvotes and dirty looks I've gotten for saying something along these lines. Just because you build it doesn't mean they'll come. The thing nobody tells you is that doing In most cases, "quit your job and follow your passion" is terrible advice and that when your hobby becomes your job, your relationship to it changes and you have to make concessions and compromises you wouldn't otherwise to be able to remain doing it.
Well said. I’m fairly sure I would have been miserable if I’d tried to make a living from music, but I’m very contented with being a musician who doesn’t do it for money or fame. A friend recently asked me what genre of music I make, and the best reply I could think of was “music that I, myself, like”. Which is, I think, the best definition of creation being its own reward.
The problem with that is that Spotify is the source of more than 50% of my streams, and the main way that people discover my music. It’s much easier to make that argument as a consumer than as a producer. I’m planning to start emphasising Bandcamp as the main place to listen, and I’ve always used Youtube as the main click-to-play option in my Substacks.
“You don’t need a creative career to live a creative life”, I wish I could restack this a thousand times. Too many people with creative careers, better known as creatives, feel that they have a monopoly on creativity but like you said, it’s human nature. So well written
so well written! there’s such a funny hypocrisy with creatives where we(bc i definitely used to think like this) want to make a living off our creativity but find it demeaning to think about the monetary value of our creativity. Halsey actually had some great thoughts on this in her CHD interview. they talked about how you can always be the free independent artist you dream of being, but as soon as you want to make money off this dream, you are starting a business. no matter how artsy and creative it is. you are starting a business. but creatives don’t often like to think of themselves as businessmen.
This is spot on!!!! I was beginning to outline a piece about something along these lines, and you articulated it so well!!! This is a realization I came to in my late 30s and has freed me up more than anything to actually make shit. But a lot of people don’t wanna hear it. When you talk about these things they think you’ve given up or that won’t happen to them. Another thing people don’t like to talk about is that being in that space of trying to make something your career makes you incredibly vulnerable and prone to spending on courses, certifications and roadmaps sold by other people who are also trying to live the dream lol.
It's true that everything changes after you make your art, your job. As it brings in revenue, you tend to make things according to your client's needs, instead of expressing yourselves through your art, or just enjoying it.
That is so true. One doesn't have to be living that as a career in order to keep their art alive. My teacher once said that it we let our art or say passion become our source of money, we often end up getting frustrated from it, because at the end of the day, money is what gives us food, shelter and clothes, and writing is something I love to do because I'm not forced to do it. But in order to make a living out of it, I'll be forced to do things. Which is quite overwhelming in a long run. Thankyou sm for this post, I really needed this ❤️
I'm that creative who turned their skill into a successful career, and yet I cherish and protect my creative projects and play outside of work , because that's what actually feeds my inspiration and taste
this is the best i’ve seen this sentiment expressed thus far. great work guiding your explanation throughout with a balance of level-headed reality without ever being needlessly grumpy or negative. thank you (:
@Jozef, I digested your post with such fervor, then let it sit and reflect. I've been exceptionally grateful to have thrived from a living in the creative arts. I look back on what worked out, and what didn't.
I see electronic music peers who are weary because they're still trying to stay above water, but they must tour (which can be exhausting and is disruptive to family life), and have no cushion to sit on when tired. You pointed out what's missing from the story like residuals, and I'd like to say that one of the most important books I've read is I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi, NOT merely "the money" parts but the psychology of resource allocation and knowing what to prioritize. I followed that book to a T and I'd recommend it to any and all artists.
What you also said, "strengths were applied elsewhere" — you know who comes to mind? Gardner Dozois, a mediocre novelist in his own words, but the sci-fi field has been changed for so much the better, due to his mass contributions to editing and curation. Plus, he discovered George R.R. Martin, so there's that. I agree it's important to explore different dynamics within a creative passion, to discover what the right balance is. Often, a support role trades off fame for stability (think of the producers who are only on the liner notes, but get to have a night out without being mobbed).
I also want to point out cultural differences. I was recently in some pro/anti discussion about AI, and how much more enthusiastic Asian countries like China, India, and Thailand are about AI. What does this have to do with all this? Well, for one, there's a lot more pragmatism around tool use (and if it doesn't work, move on)... instead of getting hung up on ideology, which is a self-imposed wordy mindjail on creatives that I see, time and time again. Another thing: in various Asian cultures, one thinks not just about their personal expression and unique identity (which can slide into dangerously deluded entitlement), but what they're overall contributing to a collective society. Sure, you're making something cool... BUT is it also in service of someone else's delight? I know there's that mantra that you've got to make what you really care about, and hopefully someone else will too. But it's good to be considerate and acknowledge our inspirations/influences, and especially when it comes to making a living, you need an audience who'll pay for what you're doing. Which reinforces your support idea, or at least, the good thing of helping others.
And so often, you can't make it without the help of others. I'm indebted to the mentors who gave me key opportunities along the way. They showed me how to traverse the terrain, to use your metaphor, but I had to reach out first and say "Friendly greetings!"
whew, this hits HARD. i recently swore off the design industry and started working as a mail carrier instead. it’s been life changing. i journaled the other day “it feels good to feel good at my job”—something i rarely felt at any design job, regardless of my talent. now i spend my days off putting in the work on a creative project that i’m genuinely excited about. it’s very slow moving, but it keeps me going. thank you thank you thank you for putting these complex feelings into words. incredible work.
Can't tell you how many downvotes and dirty looks I've gotten for saying something along these lines. Just because you build it doesn't mean they'll come. The thing nobody tells you is that doing In most cases, "quit your job and follow your passion" is terrible advice and that when your hobby becomes your job, your relationship to it changes and you have to make concessions and compromises you wouldn't otherwise to be able to remain doing it.
Well said. I’m fairly sure I would have been miserable if I’d tried to make a living from music, but I’m very contented with being a musician who doesn’t do it for money or fame. A friend recently asked me what genre of music I make, and the best reply I could think of was “music that I, myself, like”. Which is, I think, the best definition of creation being its own reward.
drop the spotify!
i’m always saying this
The problem with that is that Spotify is the source of more than 50% of my streams, and the main way that people discover my music. It’s much easier to make that argument as a consumer than as a producer. I’m planning to start emphasising Bandcamp as the main place to listen, and I’ve always used Youtube as the main click-to-play option in my Substacks.
Re: "creation being its own reward" there's a perfect word, if you aren't already familiar:
AUTOTELIC — (of an activity or a creative work) having an end or purpose in itself.
“You don’t need a creative career to live a creative life”, I wish I could restack this a thousand times. Too many people with creative careers, better known as creatives, feel that they have a monopoly on creativity but like you said, it’s human nature. So well written
so well written! there’s such a funny hypocrisy with creatives where we(bc i definitely used to think like this) want to make a living off our creativity but find it demeaning to think about the monetary value of our creativity. Halsey actually had some great thoughts on this in her CHD interview. they talked about how you can always be the free independent artist you dream of being, but as soon as you want to make money off this dream, you are starting a business. no matter how artsy and creative it is. you are starting a business. but creatives don’t often like to think of themselves as businessmen.
doing it all for that Raya bio
This is spot on!!!! I was beginning to outline a piece about something along these lines, and you articulated it so well!!! This is a realization I came to in my late 30s and has freed me up more than anything to actually make shit. But a lot of people don’t wanna hear it. When you talk about these things they think you’ve given up or that won’t happen to them. Another thing people don’t like to talk about is that being in that space of trying to make something your career makes you incredibly vulnerable and prone to spending on courses, certifications and roadmaps sold by other people who are also trying to live the dream lol.
This is the best thing I’ve read on Substack to date. Incredible writing and I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment!
It's true that everything changes after you make your art, your job. As it brings in revenue, you tend to make things according to your client's needs, instead of expressing yourselves through your art, or just enjoying it.
That is so true. One doesn't have to be living that as a career in order to keep their art alive. My teacher once said that it we let our art or say passion become our source of money, we often end up getting frustrated from it, because at the end of the day, money is what gives us food, shelter and clothes, and writing is something I love to do because I'm not forced to do it. But in order to make a living out of it, I'll be forced to do things. Which is quite overwhelming in a long run. Thankyou sm for this post, I really needed this ❤️
Such great piece of writing!
I'm that creative who turned their skill into a successful career, and yet I cherish and protect my creative projects and play outside of work , because that's what actually feeds my inspiration and taste
this is the best i’ve seen this sentiment expressed thus far. great work guiding your explanation throughout with a balance of level-headed reality without ever being needlessly grumpy or negative. thank you (:
@Jozef, I digested your post with such fervor, then let it sit and reflect. I've been exceptionally grateful to have thrived from a living in the creative arts. I look back on what worked out, and what didn't.
I see electronic music peers who are weary because they're still trying to stay above water, but they must tour (which can be exhausting and is disruptive to family life), and have no cushion to sit on when tired. You pointed out what's missing from the story like residuals, and I'd like to say that one of the most important books I've read is I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi, NOT merely "the money" parts but the psychology of resource allocation and knowing what to prioritize. I followed that book to a T and I'd recommend it to any and all artists.
What you also said, "strengths were applied elsewhere" — you know who comes to mind? Gardner Dozois, a mediocre novelist in his own words, but the sci-fi field has been changed for so much the better, due to his mass contributions to editing and curation. Plus, he discovered George R.R. Martin, so there's that. I agree it's important to explore different dynamics within a creative passion, to discover what the right balance is. Often, a support role trades off fame for stability (think of the producers who are only on the liner notes, but get to have a night out without being mobbed).
I also want to point out cultural differences. I was recently in some pro/anti discussion about AI, and how much more enthusiastic Asian countries like China, India, and Thailand are about AI. What does this have to do with all this? Well, for one, there's a lot more pragmatism around tool use (and if it doesn't work, move on)... instead of getting hung up on ideology, which is a self-imposed wordy mindjail on creatives that I see, time and time again. Another thing: in various Asian cultures, one thinks not just about their personal expression and unique identity (which can slide into dangerously deluded entitlement), but what they're overall contributing to a collective society. Sure, you're making something cool... BUT is it also in service of someone else's delight? I know there's that mantra that you've got to make what you really care about, and hopefully someone else will too. But it's good to be considerate and acknowledge our inspirations/influences, and especially when it comes to making a living, you need an audience who'll pay for what you're doing. Which reinforces your support idea, or at least, the good thing of helping others.
And so often, you can't make it without the help of others. I'm indebted to the mentors who gave me key opportunities along the way. They showed me how to traverse the terrain, to use your metaphor, but I had to reach out first and say "Friendly greetings!"
whew, this hits HARD. i recently swore off the design industry and started working as a mail carrier instead. it’s been life changing. i journaled the other day “it feels good to feel good at my job”—something i rarely felt at any design job, regardless of my talent. now i spend my days off putting in the work on a creative project that i’m genuinely excited about. it’s very slow moving, but it keeps me going. thank you thank you thank you for putting these complex feelings into words. incredible work.
I enjoyed this!
👏🏼
Great piece!