The complicated reality of doing what you love…

I came across this fascinating article by the team at Vox about how you can actually do what you love, so long as you get going!

The article’s author took up ceramics as a hobby to relieve stress from her job writing about food. She struggled at first but became obsessed with learning.

When people asked to buy her mugs on Instagram, she reluctantly began selling them to cover her studio costs. This blurred the lines between hobby and work.

Hobbies have historically been a way to mirror capitalist work ideals in leisure time through the pursuit of skill and mastery. Monetizing hobbies brings these pressures into the hobby itself.

She now sees ceramics more as a business but still wants a part just for herself. She struggles between making what she wants vs what sells and relying on Instagram for marketing.

The article also profiles an artist who refused to sell her imaginative sculptures for years to avoid outside influence. She wanted complete freedom to pursue any idea. Finding the balance between commerce and creative fulfillment without obligations is challenging but important for artistic well-being and outlet.

𝙎𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙟𝙤𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙨?

The article does explain ideas on:

1️⃣ How to identify your strengths, interests, and values and align them with your career goals
2️⃣ How to research and network with potential employers and showcase your value proposition
3️⃣ How to craft a compelling resume, cover letter, and portfolio that highlight your achievements and skills
4️⃣ How to prepare for and ace interviews and negotiate salary and benefits
5️⃣ How to handle rejection and feedback and learn from your experiences

This is a calling to you eager beavers on a fruitless career path, hoping to maybe get a chance to get paid to do what they love, whether through a hobby, career, or a blend of both. It requires persistence. Self-awareness. Balance. I call it sticktoitiveness.

It also highlights the importance of aligning your strengths and interests with your career goals while embracing the hard times of learning and growing along the way.

The most rewarding path is the one that allows you to grow, thrive, and truly enjoy what you do. 🌟

DO. NOT. GIVE. UP.

Read the article: https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/22620178/hobby-job-leisure-labor

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