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This is an amazing read. I think social media has made people think they're failing if they dont work for themselves full time, but that's not the case. Thanks for sharing your perspective. No one owe you anything and that it's perfectly acceptable to set aside pride and pursue a 9-5 job for stability while you explore your career path.

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A hard truth to swallow but a much needed reminder ! Thank you for sharing Lauren, it’s important to share with others artists that a 9-5 job is not something to be ashamed of, it doesn’t make you less of an artist, we all need some kind of security/stability, have bills to be and creating a system that feed us emotionally, creatively and financially is very important. We all have different paths, different stories and they’re so different way to be an artists

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It always surprises me how little people talk about it—but it’s an important piece of (at least my) puzzle. And it affords me things I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise that are so vital to my process, like traveling. I’m so happy to have my 9-5 and creative process working in tandem.

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Beautifully said! It’s a hard truth to swallow though, no one owes you anything.

As you know, my husband financially supports our family which allows me to grow my business and raise/homeschool our children.

We all have a different story!

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We do! We’re all figuring it out in the ways that we need. Which is also why we can’t replicate what others are doing!

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I've realised that my 9-5 job has allowed me to pursue my passion for art without the burden of financial stress. I've also learned that there are many other things I love doing, such as travelling, that I wouldn't be able to do if I were a full-time artist on a lower income.

Three years ago, I decided to reduce my working hours to four days a week, which has been a great decision. Now, I have the freedom to create art while also maintaining financial stability.

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This is spot on! I, too, wouldn’t be able to travel on an art income alone. Or do small projects around my house. Or have access to free health insurance. To me, those things are important right now and I am okay with that.

I love that you were able to reduce your working hours! I have thought about this a lot.

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