Someone posted here a while ago about her DH who was a "failed artist" who didn't earn very much and lots of posters said that artists are selfish (because they want to do what they love, instead of getting a job they hate to pay the bills).
Well, I identified with the DH, as right now I decided to give a try at art to see if I have any talent. I'm on my thirties and have always wanted to do that, but never had the courage. Now with small DC I can't get a job anyway (childcare costs more than I earn, so there's no point), so DH and I decided I shall try.
But at the same time I'm excited, there is a voice in my head saying: "Most people have to endure day after day in an office doing something they hate to bring money home, why do you think you are special? Why would it be fair that you spend the day doing what you love when your DH (and most of the world) is putting up with a stressful job?"
But some artists do exactly that, don't they? They do what they love and are paid for that. Some very well paid, some not so much.
Having said that, I started to think that this "guilty trip" is more frequent in women. I have a feeling more women give up their dreams because of pressures from family, friends, etc. Or maybe they just make it more clear than men? (I mean, the men who give up their dreams hide it better?)
The point is I didn't go very far in my career until now because I need some passion to do my job. Without passion I jujst do a rusbbish or mediocre job. Is this selfish? Immature? Or is it just the way some people are wired?
Now that I finally have a chance to try to do what I love, I have to make peace with this voice in my head, otherwise I won't get too far. Does it make any sense? I think I'm just asking for some points of view here, to try and understand things, and understand myself on the way.
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Are artists selfish? / Are women more likely to give up on their dreams?
mmebovarycestmoi · 25/07/2011 09:29
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