i'm sad because i was hoping to maybe one day get art from you, but also i totally understand and support this decision and i hope it helps you in so many ways! congrats and good luck on taking the step!

I don't know you, but I'm proud of you. This is big. Take care of yourself. <3

No problem with that, since it is what is best for you that counts.

Hey, I'm here for your art and I want you to have fun doing it! So this is a big step in the right direction for you!
Keep up the good work and I hope that this will provide your life with more smiles and fun down the line : D

It sounds like a difficult decision, and I respect you for choosing what's right for you!

Been in this position before and I think you're doing the right thing. Good on you for taking care of yourself!

A difficult decision. But it sounds like the right one! What's best for yourself is definitely more important! :)

Oof, feeling for you so much here. Wishing you all the patience and energy to finally break through.
I found myself stuck in the same situation for the recent 3 years and it feels like a torturous tiny journey through the bog.

There are other ways to keep balance and not over stress yourself. Like one being if you have problems keeping up than making a smaller and more workable commission line up will be more doable. AKA like two or three a month or even a quarter of a year. Finding a balance and if you do get a ton draw what you like from the line up if you get a lot more. Address the problem to assist and not make it a job it the key. Finding what will work and do what you can work with is also a part of it. Good luck with everything tho.

there's a bunch of motivation issues with someone else telling me what to draw, on top of communication - I don't answer emails, I ghost people on DMs, it's a nightmare that's best just avoided entirely at this point. I've tried a few options and none of them stuck long term lmao . I just wanna draw what I want without obligation

Totally I hope you can get back to it and enjoy it again, you be a joy to watch.

i have gone through this burnout several times. i am glad you're taking this step!! your mental health is always #1 priority. i wish you the best in finishing with your current queue and moving into the land of drawing just for yourself <3

I wish you the very best. And if this is the best for you, then that's what I'll support.

I understand. Drawing is not easy at all.

From what you're saying it does indeed sound like you've got some reliability issues and I applaud you for recognizing this as there are a lot of artists out there that simply continue to make excuses and how the client should be understanding of their personal issues interfering with what is a business transaction.

Commission work itself is more often than not a full time job on top of the administrative tasks it requires. It does leave you with little to no room to work on what you wanna work on. Had a friend who does commissions as a steady stream of revenue and in spite of her upper end pricing she's still long overdue on her personal projects. I'm talking like an 7-8 year delay.

From the sound of it though it seems like you are taking a step in the right direction. Good on ya :)

❤️❤️❤️

I'm glad you're doing what you feel is best for you! Maybe one day you'll feel like popping open for a rare commish, or maybe you won't...it's all good at the end of the day. Just do you, and keep safe n' healthy.

In the most sincere way, good for you for doing what's right for you! I hope this means you can feel free with what you draw in the future - I'll continue to support your work no matter what because it's simply gorgeous.

oof but much support to you :> find your calm and peace <3

As much as it sucks to lose out on the chance to get a comm from you someday, I'd happily take an artist I adore living a healthier life as a better prize ANYDAY. Glad to hear your therapist has helped you on the path to a healthier lifestyle, and I hope that you find yourself living happily physically and mentally soon, and I look forward to whatever you put out!

"I don't want to" is a good enough reason by itself. You're allowed to take control of your own life.

I wish you happiness and health! I know how hard this stuff is.

You do what you need to do, 💕

That sounds like a miserable drain to have been put through, by all means don't take on responsibilities that hurt. Sorry you had to go through with a tough decision, I'll still feel just as happy with you as you draw deathclaws and other awesome wild beasts, I think it's wonderfully fortunate that you seem to be personally into drawing those things.

You stuff is great, but if the business side is that stressful, yeah, you're making the right call. Props to you on moving forward with this. I hope you get to let your muse out properly to unwind again~<3

Understandable and you must always be the first priority over everything else and thanks for all you have done in this years. I'm glad I was able to get a commission from you and I will treasure it even more knowing it will be the last one.
I hope you feel better soon and you can re enjoy your beautiful art

I know these feelings very well. I'm in a bit similar situation except I cannot afford to close commissions because they are my only income, and I live in a poor country so trying to get a "normal job" would mean getting paid $3-4 an hour for hard labour, not to mention I cannot handle the majority of them due to health issues.

You are doing what is the right decision for you at this time so don't feel guilty about it.

My long term goal is to not rely on comms at all for finances, but still open a slot once in a while but be very specific about the rules and very selective about the requests so I only take something I feel like I would enjoy, and make it clear that there will be no deadline, it's done when it's done and only commission me of that's OK for you.

So this may be something to consider in the future, once you had time to heal and reconnected with your art. But you will never take a commission again, that's OK too. Nobody is obligated to take commissions, even if some people may try to tell you that you are. Being able to commission an artist is a privilege, not a right.

So just focus on kindling that inner flame and do what your heart tells you!