THE ELDEST DAUGHTER:

I need a day job. How can I achieve this goal while still building on my skills as an artist and deal with anxiety of “My “dreams” of acting and playwriting professionally are not going to come true because I have this job now.”

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Dear Eldest Daughter, 

Toni Morrison wrote The Bluest Eye, her first book, when her children went to sleep after her day job as an editor. It was published when she was 40. You can make these dreams come true with due diligence, time management, and sheer will. Many artists don’t have the ability to just focus on their artistry, so it’s important to be strategic about what your day jobs are and clear boundaries with it. Find a work environment that understands that your artistic work is your first priority and are okay with that, or the hours are flexible. Even better if it’s enough to sustain you but is part time or contracted, that way you have more time to focus on your creative work. If you are juggling a full time day job and your artistic life, you will probably have to sacrifice some other parts of your life to a degree, socially or when it comes to free time. Maybe not going out to the bar every weeknight. Maybe cutting back on the entertainment you are consuming. Make some of your free time your creative time, too. I’m currently acting in a play with someone who writes all day before our call time for the show. I have friends who take acting classes at night. 

Yours,

Fefu

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