Throughout the past year, I've been all over the place. I was full-time salaried at a job that wasn't taking me where I wanted to go in my career, took a huge leap of faith and worked as an intern after moving to Los Angeles, spent some months freelancing, got a designer/PA job in Beverly Hills, and then traveled back East to Maryland to freelance again.
A recent conversation with one of my dearest friends has led me to question what exactly I'm doing. This summer in particular I've been trying to launch and develop my budding yet humble little brand, and the deeper and deeper I get into it, the more and more I realize that it is something I'd like to seriously pursue. I am emotionally ready to commit, but financially I know that it is not the best decision at the moment. I am a planner; I am very very futuristic and do not make big decisions without a lot of council, thought, and prayer. In the meantime, I do still want to go back to school to get my Masters in Illustration.
I guess this is all to say that, while I love freelancing and developing my own product line and business, I think at the heart of the issue is that I feel a little lost. Do you ever feel this way? Just had to get that out there.
* Here is my latest piece for an auction I was selected to participate in around the movie Inception. My character is Mal:
{ Image (c) Erin McManness 2010 / Character (c) Inception Movie }
* And please enjoy my newest addition to my Etsy Shop: The Little Bird: Wedding Tags!
{ Image & Designs (c) Erin McManness 2010 }
To answer your question, I know what it feels like to be unsure of what you're going to do long-term.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the Inception piece you did. :)
Just thought I'd let you know that I read your blog :)
I know exactly how this feels. Although you've been at the freelancing WAY longer than I have (and you've put your whole heart into it!), there are a lot of moments where I realize that creating the stuff I create is something I want to pursue full-time...but yet I feel like I'm lost at what it is I really want to do/need to do. I've been pretty sure of what I want for a long time and I'd hate to let myself talk me out of it! :) I guess that's really all the advice I can give: don't talk yourself out of what feels right. If pursuing freelance feels right, then keep at it.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a wonderful job.
Chris - Thanks so much! I really appreciate the empathy <3 And the lovely compliments about my Inception piece! Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteDevon - Thanks so much bby <333 Somedays I'm totally gung-ho and like, "YEA LETS DO THIS THINGGG" but other days (like this past week) have been kind of blahhhh for me. Hopefully I will perk up soon! Thanks for the support! I say, you should go for it yourself! You have wonderful work!
Welcome to being in your 20's?
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though we are all a little lost, or at least that seems to be the consensus.
I've been really struggling lately to figure out what I want to DO with my life, what I want my story to be. Which direction do I want to pursue?
I thought it would get easier after I picked my major in college...
Chad - I know, right? I'm definitely struggling with the right direction. Sometimes I feel like I get so wrapped up in the minor details, that I miss the things I'm meant for. You know? I'm trying to keep my eyes and ears open :)
ReplyDeleteWe should grab lunch sometime :) Are you gonna be around for Homecoming?