That’s certainly true. The day job here at Saltmine U. definitely served a purpose (more money, let me pay off all my post-divorce debt, insanely good benefits), but I’m looking forward to the day when I’m good enough to do nothing but art, instead of art direction. I will not miss my 30-hour/week commute, at all.

Having lost three supposedly “secure” jobs in my career, I’ve come to believe “security” is an illusion. Nothing is safe, no business is easy. The best bet is to follow your heart, because that will give you the strength to face the challenges inevitable in any career.

Jeremy: “I know people that went into Sales professions who can handle working on commission.”

As a salesman, I can attest that working on commission can be a bitch. The last company I worked for was a dog, with declining sales and profits. My commission dried up, along with most of the other salespeople I knew, and then I got laid off along with everyone else in my division.

I got a new job that may be better than the last one, though. Also, while I was unemployed I was able to use the time to make some wonderful progress in other areas of my life. I know it’s a cliche, but crises really can be opportunities. That’s why I actually laughed the day I got the axe at work, rather than cried. (And why everyone around me looked at me like I’d lost my mind.)

Colleen: “On a daily basis, I have no trouble with being plain and living simply.”

Yeah, I really need to get the hang of that. Money comes and money goes (for me, until I start my new job, it mostly goes!). It’s the things you do and the people you know that form the experiences that make life worthwhile.

It wasn’t until I was an older kid that we moved to the affluent suburbs. I had no idea we had been poor. I had no frame of reference. I was never materialistic, and never felt the need for fancy clothes or anything, until I was working in publishing, and one male client ridiculed me because I was so poor I had been wearing the same coat I had owned since I was 12. It began falling apart when we were walking down the street. He thought that was hilarious.

Since the mean fellow owed me money, and later ripped me off pretty badly, I guess I should have known that someone who would mock someone for being poor and poorly dressed would end up being cruel enough to take a teenaged girl’s money and try to steal her creations.

I went through a period where I was very self conscious of my appearance, and recall spending an entire paycheck on new clothes after that incident.

However, I got over it.

On a daily basis, I have no trouble with being plain and living simply.

I have never gotten used to having to follow up with clients to get my money, and I don’t like juggling the accounts any more than anyone else does.

But I have never lived any other way. When money has been very good, it feels odd. I’m never really comfortable with it, and never really feel like there’s any money there, even when I have it.

When I don’t have it: eh, par for the course.

I have no qualms about shopping in consignment shops and bargain bins.

I got a genuine Chanel suit and handbag that way. People think I am rich because I dress very well. I just know where to make my dollar make me look rich.

I know people that went into Sales professions who can handle working on commission. I know my tolerance level and I prefer to know every two weeks I’m getting a paycheck.

While I have to deal with slow-paying clients sometimes (dealing with one now), on a daily basis, I have almost no conflict except between me and the drawing board. I can go for months without even encountering an unpleasant word from a fan or a client.

It has made me very mellow, but at the same time, when things do pop up, I am a little out of my element. I’m not always prepared for hyperbolic, forceful people.

It must be such a bummer to have to work with unpleasant bosses. If I don’t like a client, I can just walk. I’ve dumped only three in the last decade.

It’s a real trade off. Freedom for security. Some people have a higher need for security, and freedom can be a bad deal when you have no food to eat on the side!