When you light a fire under your butt; The sky is the limit
The unavoidable reality of being an independent artist including (but not limited to) the need for self-imposed deadlines
To work as an artist has a romantic tone to it, I’m not gonna lie about that.
You may envision extended hours in the studio, a hot cup of coffee (maybe occasionally some red wine?!), bird song or music in the background, no pressure… all lovey dovey.
In reality, it’s quite different (unless you’re financially free before starting out that is).
I don’t want to undermine the slow-living movement, but if you want to move towards your goals of independent artistry you’ll have to get the work done eventually and it may not always feel as romantic as you first imagined.
I wish for everyone to afford to do it at whatever pace they’d like. But a large majority simply can’t afford it. And there’s nothing shameful in that even though it can sometimes feel like a slap in the face.
I used to feel guilty for wanting to get sh*t done.
That I was somehow less of an artist because I was okay to adapt my creativity through seasons depending on what the family needed at the time (read: pay the bills).
P.s. Below is a romantic video of me stitching some years ago. For full experience; turn the sound on.
It’s one thing to launch a business, another to run it.
There will be times when you need to find ways of quick cash. When external circumstances will force you to either light a fire under your butt or to go look for a regular day job (which will most likely involve some kind of fire too…)
There will be times when you wish someone could share the responsibility and tell you what to do and others when you can’t imagine NOT deciding everything yourself.
And ones you’ve been at it long enough, you’ve had a taste of the sweetness of the apple, there’s simply no turning back and you’ve got no choice but to continue to figure it out (and hardly anyone to cry to because “you chose this”…. Sounds awfully lot like having children doesn’t it? Maybe it’s not for nothing passion built businesses are often referred to as one’s baby).
No matter where you are on the artistic journey, I find it unfair for all creatives to not get an insight into both sides of the coin.
That when we (anyone writing about the artist life) encourage someone to follow their gut and find the way that works for them, should also include transparency around what that may entail.
For example;
If you’re not ready to embody an entrepreneurial spirit too, that you value complete creative freedom from a non-financially-pressured perspective, it may be better to work on your art around a regular day-job. This is what most people choose (even if it’s a bit taboo to admit it) and to be frank I don’t blame them.
If you’re ready to sometimes light a fire (or multiple) under your butt to move the needle, to be prepared to get uncomfortable and to be in a lifelong research mode to figure what direction to take next (especially if you derive your income largely online where the principles are changing quicker than you can say artist), then only the sky is the limit.
I did it last week
I lit a fire under my butt last week when I launched my paid offering here on Follow Your Gut before the book that you’ll receive as a concrete product in exchange for your hard-earned money is 100% ready.
In business-terminology you can see it as a pre-sale.
A pre-sale tends to be an excellent way to not only light that fire by publicly announcing a deadline; but especially for you to get shit done in the first place. It will feel stressful, no doubt about it, but you’ll feel relieved and fulfilled ones it’s done.
It’s a bit like going out for a run. It’s soooooo heavy before you get outside. Probably quite heavy during the route too. But when you’re done and all the endorphins start kicking in, you feel like a champion regardless of how it went. Because you did it. You did the run. Or you kept your self-imposed deadline.
The book that you get when upgrading to Follow Your Gut was first published in 2019. And though I intend to keep the large majority intact, I’m going through it primarily for language edits to hopefully send out a better product to everyone who signs up.
The book is called ‘When will you get a real job’ and is an artist case study of my husband’s and my first couple of years as full time independent artists (2017-2018).
As the title indicates, the beginning was a lot of breaking through the noise of what being an artist actually means. Not the least to break through the noise of criticism from the surroundings who didn’t recognise it as a real job.
That was some years ago now and it’s safe to say that we both have reached the state at which there’s no turning back. There is an ebb and flow of fires in reflection of the ebb and flows of life at large. And I’ve come to love those hot waves and couldn’t imagine living without the autonomy, despite it being incredibly tuff at times.
If you sign up during the pre-sale (ends 20th April the latest) you can grab the book from 5€ and up (5€/month but with the choice to cancel at any time of course. Or 25€/year (normally 50€/year) for you who also love to receive these newsletters and are intrigued to follow along.
Pps. 30% of your paid subscription will go towards for my non-profit venture with my midwife, which focuses on mother empowerment through midwivery education and birth centres in rural Nepal (more on this soon).
Thank you very much for reading!
Elin, xx
I’d love to know… Is there a moment when you had to light a fire under your butt? What was the experience like?
And for you who enjoyed this article, you may also like:
Or to read the two previous emails that are part of this pre-sale launch:
Wow! I love this! Being a innkeeper in a bed-and-breakfast is a lot like being an artist. It often romanticized as this wonderful easy, slow life of hosting people in your house! I’ll never forget overhearing a guest saying to his wife as they were leaving… “Sure must be nice to make 160 bucks for changing bedsheets!” Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. You describe so well, the tension between hustle and the slow life. Finding the truth that resolves the paradox I think is the key (I’m still working on that 😄). But as an entrepreneur there are certainly going to be seasons, where one must be willing to lite a fire under their butt. Some of those seasons might be long! I’ve found a way to create a more balanced life. I still work 16 hour days at times. but they are more balanced with slower days and personal time then they used to be. Thanks for bringing some practical insight to a challenging topic!
I find your writing so inspiring. 🤍