Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program
January 26th, 2010 Posted in Freelancing, Life As A Nico, Musicianshipnicopolitan: “The more I listen to you guys sit and go through the music production process even while Art’s still in the composition stage, the more I want to work on my own music.”
TheFoolishHeart: “So write music.”
nicopolitan: “I feel guilty when I work on music. It makes me think that if I’ve already got time to burn, I should be spending more time getting work done on freelance assignments and pet project obligations.”
TheFoolishHeart: “Fuck it. Just do what makes you happy.”
nicopolitan: “Oh, they both make me happy. Making music makes me happy, and working on the internet makes me happy. It’s just that freelance makes me money–”
TheFoolishHeart: “Maybe just don’t think about money, then. Do what you love, and the money will come later. Freelance makes you money now, but maybe music will make you money later on. You just have to remember that it’s what you do that defines you.”
Inadvertently, my roommate has packed Greek ontology and a quote from Thoreau into simple, everyday philosophy for living in the modern era and keeping your sanity.
If I hadn’t lived with a bunch of creative types in the same household, I don’t think I would have gotten this idealistic response to the conversation topic. My parents would say, “Work hard, as hard as you can, and be proud of your hard work.” My college friends would say, “slow down with the work, you’re fucking crazy.” My high school friends would say… nothing, because I don’t really keep in touch with them.
So this is a short post. I was just curious:
Given the topic, what does the internet say?
Be thankful that you’re happy with your work, first of all.
Second–do the fucking art, man. It’s all about the art.*
*Slightly selfish, as I really dig your music.
Dude. You KNOW what I think.
I’m all about the balance—work hard, play hard. But keep those dreams alive.
Apparently, I am also all about the cliches.
You shouldn’t feel guilty about doing things you like doing. You see, its like strippers Nico…
some strippers are there ONLY for the money.
Some strippers are there because they genuinely like to strip and be naked.
and yet, some strippers are there for both.
Shit. I totally forgot where I was going with that analogy. My bad.
I think Matt wins this thread.
VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!
I’m really not sure what to do with this comment. Though, like anything, you can always tell when someone loves what they’re doing or not. Same with strippers. You know which ones have fun with that.
Not that I know.
I definitely think you can find a balance because really? Life can’t be all work and no play.
Make time to play.
I refuse to let my work define me.
I’m all about finding what makes you happy and finding a way to make it what your life is about.
Let me just make this all about me for a second. I feel the same way about fiction!
I think the answer is to go for the art, but I’m still trying to pull a Liz Lemon and have it all.
Okay so I’m all for down time. I say, set some time aside (or when you have time and you have nothing else pressing to do) for yourself. Seriously, don’t work that hard. Life is about more than work.
I always think of it like this;
When I die someday, will I regret that I spent so much time worrying/stressing? I always think to myself I can’t take those things into the ground with me.
Morbid, I know, but it helps.
Do whatever gives you that creative high! … but I mean, you’ve still gotta pay for the product.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Hopefully you’ve seen the shining and can understand the reference.
There is a such thing as balance and being able to not just pour your energy into one thing, but many things. It’s a good thing you like the work that you do, but life isn’t about making money. What makes you happy? Both? So do both.
it’s ok to have time to do your own stuff. really. you work a lot for money. sometimes, you need to work for nico.
I say that you always say something I need to hear at the exact moment I need to hear it. Exact. Like, right this second.
Also? Stay tuned. A Doni-get-spiritual/metaphysical post is churning in my brain right now… :)
I’ve been in an office for the last 10 days from dark to dark, working on the internet. Not a long time ago I was running a business that I enjoyed, but didn’t jive with the way I wanted to spend most of my time. It had a proven success path and although the last year was really, really hard, there’s no question I was more than smart enough to be decently successful doing it.
I’d have reached a point at which I could ‘work’ just enough to live comfortably and then devote the free time to the ‘idea freak’ project side of me.
I’m happier at 18 hours a day in pure frantic pursuit of awesome ideas. And surrounded by conversations about the potential of those ideas.
I have less than $300 to my name as a result of that transition.
Just sayin’.
frankly? you should totally do what you love, but not at the expense of not living. bills gotta get paaaid.
I think a balance is key. But if you love them both – then just feel lucky that you’ve got a lot of things that you are passionate about! I wish I could be so lucky!
You should do what you love. And if that doesn’t also mean getting paid, you hustle. You hustle and create the market for what you love; convince people they need what you do. Then you have everything and you’re unstoppable.
My two cents: There will always be bills that need to be paid. Do what makes you happy while you can.
I think it’s good to keep a balance, but that when it comes down to it, you should do what you LOVE. Money is a necessity, of course, but it shouldn’t take away from what you love.
Earn the money but definitely find time to do what you love and then someday what you love will make you lots of money.
xo/evie
You know this is how I feel between my passion ( music too! high five! ) and my future formal work, law related and boring but pays the bills.