Turning My Passion into a Career
Step 1: Stating The Facts
(*Sighs dramatically) …where do I even begin? Ok let’s start with stating the facts. I’m 27 and have never had a proper 9-5 job. Fact. My bank account looks like it’s on weight watchers. Also, a fact. I have a degree in baking and pastry Arts that I can’t use because I found out, while I was in culinary school mind you, that I am allergic to airborne flour. As ridiculous as that might sound, it too is unfortunately a fact. I sneeze uncontrollably as soon as a bag of flour is cracked open. I can bake with spelt flour for some reason…but that’s beside the point.
The point is I don’t have many options when it comes to having a career. Recently I completed a scholarship program which would give me the opportunity to maybe break into the tech industry. But now that we’re done stating the facts, we can move right on along. However, there’s a problem; there always is.
Decisions, Decisions
As I was finishing up my little tech scholarship the other day and thinking about what I should do next, and Idea popped into my head. I have always contemplated the idea of art being my job. In fact, I have a small business that’s barely staying afloat (support the cause and give alms to the poor if you so feel inclined, it would be greatly appreciated by this needy soul). Unfortunately, I launched my shop one month before my mom’s medical emergency, so it took a back seat for far too long.
Once again, that’s beside the point. What I’m trying to get at, not so eloquently it would seem, is that I kind of want to try to earn my bread and vegan butter by doing art. Here’s the run down; I’ll create a portfolio, reach out to art directors, snag some affiliate links and collaborations, get this blog out there and maybe make some courses along the way. It sounds really easy when I put it that way, but the reality is that it will be extremely difficult.
The Good with the Bad
Anytime someone is stating the facts for any situation, one must also state the pros and cons. The pros are that I can do what I love and be there more for my mom, I won’t be working consistently from 9 to 5. The cons are that I’m broke and will have to work with what I have in terms of supplies as well as fight to come up with money for my Shopify and Dreamhost subscriptions.
Scaredy Cat
My biggest fear is that by this time next year I’ll be looking back and thinking “man that was a waste of time”. I’m almost 30 and I feel like my time is ever so precious nowadays; I don’t have time for experiments that won’t yield any results. But I’m not going to think about that now. I’m going to be here in the present and give this endeavor my all. One thing that I know I need to learn during this journey is how to be a more positive thinker. Instead of thinking “what if I fail?”, I want to think “what if I succeed?”.
Noting To It but To Do It
This is just the first step in a process that I think we all can agree will have many more steps to come. Anywho, with any big decision, it’s always good to start by stating the facts so that you know what you’re getting yourself into right off the bat. If you want to follow along with my journey, I’ll be posting updates here on this blog and on my all my socials. Feel free to drop a lil encouraging comment, it couldn’t hurt.
Hopefully you’ll follow in my tiny footsteps and try something you’ve always wanted to do too. I also have a video up on my YouTube channel that goes over everything you just read. So, if you have time, you can watch it here. With that being said, you never have to be the best, just try your best. And remember to create your own whimsy.
Watercolor Whimsy:
A Blog Dedicated to My Journey with and Love for Watercolor.
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