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Crossroads and the Future
7 years ago
I am at a crossroads. My lease is about to be renewed, and with the inevitable price increase, my monthly bills will exceed my income. I do have my girlfriend help out with the bills, but it only goes so far.
For eight years now I've been working in addition to going to furry conventions to sell commissions. I would often take time off without pay to go, and for the first several years was pretty happy with it. Unfortunately, for the last almost three years, I have not been happy with it. Sales have been terrible (except for one con last year), and it has definitely left an impression on me. I've been reflecting on it a lot and I think I've come to my new path.
After MCFC in a few weeks, I will be taking a job at a factory in the area which will pay me more than enough to pay my bills without stressing if I can make them, as well as build savings and get money for a car, both of which I do not have. This job however does not look like it will give me the opportunity for leave without pay, so I will need to rely on vacation time for convention appearances, which I will not get until after a year of employment.
I honestly don't know how to feel about it. On one hand, I've spent the past eight years going to countless cons and selling art. But on the other hand, I feel like it's not going to work and I have not been having fun. I've wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember, but I sincerely do not believe that I will ever be able to make a livable wage drawing. For a poor, uneducated man, there are few options, but I need to take the one that will pay my bills.
This will mean that Anthrocon and MFF are probably not going to be in my convention schedule this year. I don't even know if I want to sell at MCFC. I doubt I will sell enough for the time I put in to be worth it. After MCFC, my next convention appearance probably won't be until AC 2019. That is if I stick around for that long. I've been feeling really jaded concerning the fandom of late, and I need to think on my involvement in it more later.
I'm sorry of this disappoints anyone. It is not my intention. But I am going to turn 29 soon. I have no savings, no car, no insurance. That is no way to live, and I want a future with my girlfriend. I hope you can understand.
For eight years now I've been working in addition to going to furry conventions to sell commissions. I would often take time off without pay to go, and for the first several years was pretty happy with it. Unfortunately, for the last almost three years, I have not been happy with it. Sales have been terrible (except for one con last year), and it has definitely left an impression on me. I've been reflecting on it a lot and I think I've come to my new path.
After MCFC in a few weeks, I will be taking a job at a factory in the area which will pay me more than enough to pay my bills without stressing if I can make them, as well as build savings and get money for a car, both of which I do not have. This job however does not look like it will give me the opportunity for leave without pay, so I will need to rely on vacation time for convention appearances, which I will not get until after a year of employment.
I honestly don't know how to feel about it. On one hand, I've spent the past eight years going to countless cons and selling art. But on the other hand, I feel like it's not going to work and I have not been having fun. I've wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember, but I sincerely do not believe that I will ever be able to make a livable wage drawing. For a poor, uneducated man, there are few options, but I need to take the one that will pay my bills.
This will mean that Anthrocon and MFF are probably not going to be in my convention schedule this year. I don't even know if I want to sell at MCFC. I doubt I will sell enough for the time I put in to be worth it. After MCFC, my next convention appearance probably won't be until AC 2019. That is if I stick around for that long. I've been feeling really jaded concerning the fandom of late, and I need to think on my involvement in it more later.
I'm sorry of this disappoints anyone. It is not my intention. But I am going to turn 29 soon. I have no savings, no car, no insurance. That is no way to live, and I want a future with my girlfriend. I hope you can understand.
shadow_bandit
∞shadowbandit
I hope things work better for you at the factory, you really must adult first, a car in this day and age is almost a necessity and a little savings to rely on if something happens and you need some quick cash. Cons will be there, the job sounds like it is a good move for you, it will be more income and will cover your bills and keep a roof over your head. Just take care and be safe.
