Get a job... The Frustrating Catch Cry of People Who Don't Appreciate How Challenging It Is to Be Self Employed

Born to Skate, Forced to
Work T-Shirt by TET
Available from RedBubble.

One of my biggest frustrations in life is people telling me I need to get a job. What they mean is something that has regular hours and a guaranteed pay cheque at the end of the week. Usually this suggestion comes from people that earn their living this way.

I'm the first to admit that working for yourself is a hard way to make a living - especially in the beginning. However, I think, if you believe in yourself and back yourself 100%, the payoff in the long run will be better than any regular job.

With all the skills I've acquired over the years people are often surprised that I haven't been able to find a regular job (especially those job search coordinator people who circle like a vulture when they think I'm an easy prospect for job placement).

It is precisely because of all these skills that I find regular work...well...depressing. I'm not just saying that either. I've had regular jobs and followed the gradual spiral down into monotony and boredom. It's just not me.

Working for oneself is challenging. Working for oneself as an artist is doubly, even triply (is that even a word?) challenging. It is very hard, and I'm always struggling just to make ends meet. I can say that it isn't boring or monotonous but it can be depressing.

What would be useful is, if all those people who've suggested I need a real job, offered words of encouragement instead. Or better yet, offered to refer their friends to my site just for a look... and maybe hinted that they can buy gifts of my art too.

That would be far more beneficial than telling me I need to get a job.

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TET.Life (The Extraordinary Tourist Life)

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