Do you have a full-time job that steals time from you that you wish you had for creating art? I’ve been there and I know how crazy and frustrating it can be. But until your day of freedom finally arrives, I hope this article “How to Stay Sane Until You Can Create Art Full Time” will make your life now more enjoyable.
I wrote a version of this article many years ago and it has helped many artists I know. I hope it also helps you. You will see many links provided throughout the article that will take you to more articles.
Here’s A List of What to Do to Stay Sane!
1. Wake up earlier each morning and do something creative before you to go to your day job so you won’t feel cheated.
2. Sketch on the train or bus on the way to and from work.
3. During lunchtime visit a gallery or museum, (physical or online), visit an art blog (mine), read an art book or listen to music that relaxes and/or empowers you.
4. View your day job as “creative research” for your artistic journey.
5. Propose an art program, creative project or art exhibition of either your artwork alone or an employee show.
6. Commit to a healthy diet, an exercise program, and form of meditation to fuel your physical and spiritual energy resources so you can live a long and healthy life.
7. Know what really drives your creative spirit, why you are an artist, and the tool this knowledge serves for attaining your greater life’s purpose. Put that in writing and put it to memory.
8. Create a master plan that encompasses taking a vision to reality to become a full-time artist. Then take action every day, no matter how small the steps, toward achieving that goal.
9. Keep a gratitude journal. In it write why you are grateful for having a job now and why you are grateful knowing your future dream will become a reality.
10. Find ways to save money toward your future financial security. A short-term sacrifice can being long term gains.
11. Don’t allow naysayers prevent you from daydreaming. Also, pay attention to nighttime dreams. The subconscious can supply extraordinary information about your deepest desires, creativity, and offer solutions to problems and unresolved inner conflicts that may be preventing you from achieving your goals.
12. If you cannot find anything rewarding about your job try to look for the humor in it. Laughter and a healthy sense of humor will get you through the tough times.
13. Don’t procrastinate. It’s one of the biggest enemies of success. You know there is something you need to do now to make your life more satisfying.
14. Learn the keys to success from other creative and fulfilled people who are emotionally, spiritually and financially balanced. Ask what methods they use to balance their day jobs and their art and life in general.
15. Remember all the creative geniuses and/or famous artists that came before you who first had other jobs and professions outside the arts, like Julian Schnabel who was a NYC cabdriver, Kandinsky was an attorney, Botero was a bullfighter… They wouldn’t be the same creative individuals without having had those experiences.
16. Make time to make art — in the evening and weekends. No matter what stay focused, committed, courageous and positive!
17. Have the faith and certainty that one day you will no longer have to read articles like this. 🙂
Thank you for your inspiration!
Excellent article. I lived that life for 47 years of full time administrative office work at NYU. I worked in the music industry from. 1964-1884, then in 1986 decided to get my degrees at NYU. I always made sure everyone knew I was an artist. Sold work from my desk. Had slides in my drawer.
Began to teach at NYU in 1995 as an adjunct one night a week while I continued by hectic day job. My office looked like a gallery. I sold a lot of work. In 2011 I retired at 66 years old from the day job and can finally say I am a full time painter. I continue to teach January -May at NYU as an adjunct associate professor of art and love it. Never stop creating. Make it work. You need to say No to a lot of things that can take you away from your art. Diane Leon
Wow! Thank you Diane for sharing how you have continued your enthusiasm, passion and persistence as an artist and educator through the years. You remind me that being an artist is a state of mind and to be ready for any opportunity to share your art with the world.