The new issue of Bust is out. In it you will find an article in which I was interviewed by the talented Michelle Goodman, entitled "Wage Slaves -Day job schemes for girls with arty dreams". I haven't read it yet, but we spoke at length about managing a part-time job (and in some cases full-time) and still finding time to create, free-lance or even run your own business. I got very excited about the subject, having done it myself quite a bit (I worked at a bookstore part-time for the first five years of my career). In many ways I still find myself in the position of balancing making a living with doing the work I really want to do. Some of my regular free-lance work can be at times trying, and lacking in personal meaning. Though I do my best to find ways to make it my enjoyable, (experimenting with new ideas, mediums, colors, etc). And in between I work incessantly on my personal projects, (books, products, etc.) I do find myself in new position of seemingly attracting free-lance work that I really enjoy, (products, and articles I respond to, natural healing, children's stuff, etc.), as opposed to the usual slew of computer articles, or business related imagery (which is admittedly not me).
One of the things I mentioned in the interview was the fact that in many ways having part-time work can actually fuel one's urge to create, (granted one needs to preserve the energy to do it, working in a job that is not entirely draining physically and emotionally). I can remember jotting down ideas while working at the bookstore and being so excited to run home to start a project. My days off became precious gifts, and I never took that time for granted. I believe it had the effect of taking some pressure off, you don't have time to think too much about what you want to create when you only have a few hours, you just do it. Sometimes too much time can be a hinderance.
An appropriate quote to this effect from "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi (which I'm loving by the way),
"It is amazing how, when all possiblities seem to be taken away from you, the minutest opening can become a great freedom."
Posted by kerismith at March 21, 2005 11:46 AMFabulous post Keri. Just to add I've noticed that people who often go self employed hate it - they miss the regular structure and companionship of the office/workplace. Part time gives you that structure with a distancing from workplace politics. Often jobs which are unbearable 40 hours a week become quite pleasant at 20.
Expenses associated with full time working go down once part time, takeaway meals, convenience food, expensive holdidays to recover, therapy, massages, crappy stuff bought as a treat.
Posted by: m on March 31, 2005 03:35 AMdelurking to say hi
Posted by: Tranny on March 30, 2005 02:45 AMSorry for my links
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YES!! EXACTLY! I find myself SO creative and SO motivated and inspired while in the middle of office meetings or conference calls! It is to the point now where my co-workers are not even surprised when I have walked in with several different colored markers and begin to wildly doodle while we are having some majorly serious discussion. Thanks for letting me know I am not solo in this!
(and thank you to Ali who pointed me to your blog and book!)
Posted by: Susan on March 23, 2005 10:09 PMI know what you mean! I didn't start freelancing until last spring, when my son was less than a year old. Being a full-time mom and working as an illustrator (not just the work, but the marketing/promotion stuff too) has made me really take advantage of my free time. I try to never take it for granted. Jacob will be two in June, and his naps are shorter, so it's even more of a challenge...I wish I had room to do some color work in other mediums & I wish my computer wasn't where Jacob can play with the buttons...but I think the challenge is good.
Thank you for all of your inspiring words (& work).
Posted by: Annie I on March 22, 2005 04:33 PMHey keri.
I fell in love with 'reading lolita in tehran' and am so glad have found someone who shares that. A few people i came across who read it did not seem to like it much which really amazed me. From the first line in that book, i was hooked. I feel sometimes we decide consciously to love something from the word go and thats how it was with this book.
Susan,
BUST is available at all Borders Books, Barnes & Noble, and Tower Records stores.
They also have a lookup form to find a store in your area,
find it here.
Keri...Do you have suggestions of where to buy Bust Magazine in the US....I live in Kirkland, WA....Anyone know?
Posted by: Susan Jonsson on March 22, 2005 11:24 AMI COMPLETELY agree. It's taken me a while to learn that I need a second job to balance and feed my creative stuff. Maybe it's just the type of person I am.
Someone once said that full-time writers are boring because all they write about is writing.
Posted by: matt on March 22, 2005 11:02 AMThe article sounds very interesting, although Bust is probably hard to find here in Europe... But it's good to be reminded of the fact that it's not necessary to have perfect conditions to be able to live creatively! Sometimes it feels like all the obligations in one's life is taking up all the time and energy, but you're right, it's not necessarily like that. Thanks - I needed to be told :)
Posted by: Anja on March 22, 2005 06:17 AMThanks for the quote, just beginning to accept this, after years of resenting the fact that I could't afford to study illustration. I am now enjoying the freedom I have to develop creatively at my own pace whilst working in the community. While it takes off some pressure financially, it also allows me to participate in the real world, and makes my time off precious.
Posted by: gill on March 22, 2005 03:46 AMKeri, I agree totally with you.Right now,I am always jotting down possible ides when I work. There was a period when I was at home and I was so restless and all. In fact, all my projects are half done! Seems that working helps me going and not being lazy.
Posted by: rachel on March 21, 2005 10:43 PMI am a fan of Bust magazine, and I will definitely pick up this next issue now that I know you are in it. I want to take my life in more creativity heavy direction, and you are an inspiration when at times it can feel so far away.
Posted by: schmutzie on March 21, 2005 06:42 PMOh Keri, this is so timely. I've been in my own business for a little more than four years now (as a career coach and now a coach for people who are self-employed). Before making the leap, I worked in corporate 13 years, and was able to work part-time my last nine months there, while I was getting started.
I love what I do and the past four years have been full of learning, but one thing I've learned is that I don't like doing any one thing exclusively. I realize I love coaching, but only for a couple of days a week. I've also learned that I'm really happy when I'm by myself in my own little space, doing something creative ... writing, sewing, creating ... and now I want do more of that, for both pleasure and another part-time business that will offer cards, journals, jewelry and other other gifts to inspire creative souls.
I've been debating whether to get a part-time job to bridge the financial gap of this transition, though, and your post gives me a lot of food for thought, so now I need to pick up BUST so I can read the article. My fear has been that I would be too drained after working for someone else to either coach or do my own creative projects ... or that there wouldn't be enough hours to do it all AND have time for my relationship ... so I've been resisting that unless it's my last option. I do know one thing ... if I were going to do it, working in a bookstore would be tops on my list ... must be all those years I spent being a library aide in grammar school.
Posted by: maria on March 21, 2005 03:13 PMI sew in my spare time and have decided to turn it into a part-time thing as a way to add some creativity to my day. It is a relaxing and theraputic after sitting at a desk for eight hours. Working in such a limited amount of time does force you to be more creative, but it is worth it.
Posted by: Lu on March 21, 2005 03:10 PMKeri - I totally agree about a part-time job. What you said is exactly right on the money - it takes pressure off - and when I do something else apart from my designing - I get so many more ideas - being away from my studio - coming in w/ a fresh eye!!!!
Posted by: Jen on March 21, 2005 02:20 PMHello Keri - thanks for the quote. This is something I'm learning just now it seems - and not by choice. Ho hum - that's the way of things I suppose.
Congratulations on the interview.
Posted by: Michael Nobbs on March 21, 2005 02:16 PMkeri,
i completly agree with you. i work a full time job. i am so often making notes to myself of things i want to go home and work on. i have found that i look forward to going home and baking, making crafts, trying to learn to knit, learning to use my new digital camera, reading etc. I don't want to sit in front my TV the way I used to. i know that when i have time off from work and have a lot of free time that it's a lot harder to get myself creative. so i actually look forward to my job. it is like fuel.
thanks for the great post and the great quote.
jenn
Posted by: jenn on March 21, 2005 02:09 PMCan't wait to read the article. You are amazingly articulate and creative and are clearly doing a great job managing the different facets of your life. Love the blog.
Posted by: Jane on March 21, 2005 12:38 PM