Is it normal: the idea of getting a 9-5 makes me incredibly depressed?

I have a dream of becoming a professional artist. It is all I want to do with my life, and all I do with my free time. I am obsessed with painting, it is my passion.

The idea of getting a job scares me, depresses me, makes me nearly suicidal. Spending hours working a cash register at Subway would leave me exhausted and dull at the end of the day and I'm afraid all the inspiration to be creative would be forcibly sucked out of me.

But I need money to live, and it is very, very hard to make money doing this. There are a lot of talented artists out there, more talented than me, who are struggling right now.

BTW: No, I don't want to be a graphic designer. No, I don't want to make logos for some corporation. I don't have the money to go to art school either.

I would appreciate advice that isn't the above. :) Thanks!

Voting Results
88% Normal
Based on 67 votes (59 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • lizieralizard

    most people do not want a 9-5 job, not just artists, but we do it bcuz until u can find something better, u still have 2 eat.

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  • ManicMan

    Keep on, keeping on. Take some risks,and if takes time so be it! Remember, don't let your limitations overshadow your talents. And heck pray to God for help once and awhile,it surely can't hurt. Peace :)

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  • loopoo

    I totally agree, I have a goal to do a very unconventional job, which I am passionate about the thought of a 9-5 makes me want to slit my wrist's, it's no way to spend your life, those who do are bullshitted into believing it's 'normal' Be happy you have a different goal and follow it!

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  • owner217

    grow up i've been working since i was 14. just be glad its not 1920 and that you don't have a bad record or a drug addiction. you're just lazy you'll get used to it i'm lazy as hell and still get up for work every day

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  • Justsomejerk

    what about 7-3?

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      -
    • or at least 8-4

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  • zappy

    I feel like the standard should be a 6 hour job rather than 9-5. It can be so exhaustive on everyone. The idea of this whole 9-5 hour job thing being the holy grail of career thing is really just stupid in my book. It would easily give everyone more free time, feel like they don't have so long to work and it's only a loss of 3 hours. Maybe should give less vacation to compromise, but in all reality I think it would be great.

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  • normal...

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  • dappled

    I always found that working a simple job made me more creative because my mind was always wandering. And working with people (who are a strange bunch of froods at the best of times), gives inspiration. And then there's the public! :O

    As long as you keep something with you to make a note of your ideas and let your mind wander where it wants, working a boring job (with the constant stimulus and interaction with the world at large) can actually be a really positive thing.

    I work in a job where I have to be creative and I think any creativity I would have had left over for my own projects has been sucked up by my daily work.

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