Day jobs: the argument for
In yesterday’s post, I talked about getting out from under your day job — a journey that a lot of us independent music-makers have had to figure out.
But not everybody is on that path — and I want to take a moment today to say that, if that’s you, that’s great too!
I have a lot of friends for whom working on or with music is a happy place that would be altered negatively, and perhaps permanently, if they were to marry it with the demands of generating an income. Or who simply have no desire to be self-employed. It’s definitely not for everyone.
There is a lot to be said for the security and comfort of a day job. Regular paychecks! Healthcare1! A predictable schedule! Stability! I was incredibly lucky and grew up in a financially stable home — for someone who grew up poor or otherwise unstable, the financial unpredictability of self-employment might be an absolute non-starter.
Also, when you have a day job, sometimes you might have a little money left over, and you could use it to buy music gear! Or become a supporting subscriber to a working artist’s daily email project! And how great is that?
There’s not just one way to do things. Just because I have chosen a path of self-employment in the arts doesn’t mean that it’s the One Right Way to do this. Any way you want to do things is great. As long as you’re happy and fulfilled — that’s the main thing.
No pressure — jamie
I am writing this from the United States, in case that wasn’t previously obvious.