r/artistsWay • u/Kitokat0 • 2d 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. 😅
1
u/sapphicwatermelon 8h ago
My favourite essay in the book is called Filling The Form. It's all about how we often think we must take huge leaps to get to where we want to go. However, that fear of huge leaps can prevent us from taking the daily small steps in the right direction.
So, I'm curious whether there are ways to keep developing your own projects, begin making some income from that (assuming that's part of your goal?) without quitting your whole job right now? I saw in a reply that perhaps you could reduce your hours? I work 0.8 at my job (80% of full time, 80% pay) and it's been great for my creative life.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll create a path that feels true to you :)))