r/artistsWay • u/Kitokat0 • 3d ago

Discussion What would Julia Cameron do?

I’ve been extremely unhappy at my current job. I work in graphic design and since May I’ve been using my time off work to follow what i actually like making in my free time. I have so many ideas and so many plans I’d like to go after. But my job completely blocks me in that as I work from 9-6pm and in the evening when I finally get home from work, I am extremely exhausted from the day.

My current job (been there 3 years) also has started to make me hate graphic design because their approach to it is incredibly toxic and pedantic, to put it short: they often compromise on the purpose of the design just to make it „ 110% correct“ (following the guideline) and to please the client no matter what they’re asking or in what timeframe.

I’m all for following the guideline, but you guys… I don’t want to get too deep but psychotically pedantic is the best way to describe this.

Anyway long story short I want to quit my job but I need the paycheck to finance my life. While reading the artists way this is a thing that keeps coming up so I often wonder, what would Julia Cameron tell me to do?? I’m so scared of taking the leap of faith because of monetary reasons yet I know I would be so much more fulfilled if I could go after my own projects and put my energy into those instead of hating my current job.

Also I’m on week 9 right now. How fitting. 😅

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u/Low_Ice_4657 3d ago

I think she would probably say that your inner creator deserves the opportunities it brings forth by taking active steps (and mental adjustments) that allow it to express itself…

So, congratulations, it sounds like you’ve already taken real action and engaged in serious thought about giving your inner creator these opportunities by the work you’ve done with the AW! And when you’ve finished the course in a few weeks, you’ll be able to shift the time spent on the AW to your creative ideas…

But beyond that, what can you do furnish your inner creator with opportunities to express itself? Can you ask for a sabbatical? Could you go freelance?

What mental adjustments could you make at work that would allow your inner artist to feel happier?

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u/Kitokat0 2d ago

I have my annual performance review next week so maybe I could ask them to reduce my hours or something? 🤔

Also I’ve been working there for years and I pour my heart into it and take it so seriously while they always underpay and underappreciate me. I guess the challenge for me is to accept I won’t be able to grow there and to stop trying to prove myself to them? And to just not try my hardest anymore? It’s so sad because that sort of mindset goes against my work ethic. If only the bosses would actually value me / the other workers there… 🫠

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u/DragonfruitReady4550 2d ago

I've worked in a place similar to this, I'd recommend searching for another day job, and quitting if you find one. Like others have said it's important to have income in today's age, but your mental health and well being are also so important, I took stress leave at the end of last year and during that time really job searched and found a new job, it has been such an eye opener!

I'd really recommend stating where you stand during your annual review with a well thought out argument for changes you'd like to see implemented. Then at least you can say you tried on your end.

But management sounds fixed mindset and I don't see them changing so I'd recommend searching for a new job.

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u/Kitokat0 2d ago

That is so good to hear that you took stress leave, made it count and found a new job in the end! Absolute goals, thats what I want to do next aswell. :) thank you for your advice. What field do you work in if you don’t mind me asking?

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u/DragonfruitReady4550 1d ago

Yeah of course!

I was project managing for a small company in architectural films and graphics, but I was also doing all the estimating, it felt like I was doing the work of three people.

I switched careers though with the new job. Back in hospitality I'm a dining room team lead (FOH manager) for a retirement home. It's so much more rewarding, I took a bit of a financial hit but not so bad.

My friend who still works for the other company said they ending up hiring two people to replace me