I'm still in school at the moment, studying finance. I hate it and have ever since I transferred schools. Back at my old college, where DH and I met, I was an art major. DH graduated in '08 and moved to my hometown, moved in with my parents and began job searching while I was 500 miles away at school. I was a big baby, withdrew from the school, and came back home too.
Since then, I've been attending the university in my hometown. I saw how hard it was for DH to find a job, panicked, and changed my major to finance because I thought it seemed 'safer'. But I've always hated the program and it's begun affecting other areas of my life. Being honest, the courses go way over my head and there's not a day that I don't break down/yell/scream/act generally unpleasant. I've been so unhappy that it's affected my diet and health and general well-being, I believe. I now truly understand how one negative area of a person's life can bring depression on.
So after much discussion and tears, I'm officially becoming an art major once more. It means a few more years in school, but I'd rather be happy now and continue to be happy than keep down this road leading to depression.
I need Nesties' good thoughts this next week as I officially make the change. I already feel so much better and as though a weight has been lifted. I feel like crying, but out of relief and happiness this time.
Re: I think I need some good vibes too!
omg Louie, I am SO proud of you. I had been a straight A student my entire life, over achiever, etc. But all I've ever done, and wanted to do, was musical theater. I left college after a period of short depression, and started honing my craft and working towards my equity card. All I did was take dance, and voice, and audition, all the while networking and working a full time job.
Soon enough I became a proud member of Actor's Equity, and have had been successful booking jobs almost whenever I want them, and supplementing income by teaching or choreographing when I want to too. (Serious networking there...)
It was scary, it was hard, and I got a whole lot of flack for it initially. But the rewards are great, I love what I do, and that little AEA card in my wallet is better than any degree.
I hope you find happiness in what is obviously your true calling, and I hope you are proud of yourself for being so brave! I seriously wish I could hug you girl. The world needs artists as much as they need financial specialists.
I will be particularly interested in your transition and progress. Keep us posted, and CONGRATS!
Your encouraging words mean a lot branz. It's good for me to hear other 'struggling artists'' stories. I will absolutely tell my children someday that they MUST MUST MUST do what they want after high school; go to college and major in something you love, go to technical school in a field of interest, get a job you enjoy. Who cares as long as you love it.
I lived and breathed art for 2 years in school and love every minute of it. But the economy scared me. I wondered what jobs would be out there. Yes, DH and I will struggle financially, but who cares?
Since the university I'm at now is so much bigger than my former college, there are more options. I will be entering the weaving/textiles concentration, maybe some printmaking. I get excited about it, which is something I can't do for finance. I enjoy some of my financial planning classes, but nothing compared to the sheer joy of creating in my art classes.
Internet hugs for both of us! Most people didn't and still don't understand my desire for an art degree when I have no intention of teaching. But it's what I'm passionate about. I may graduate when I'm 25/26 years old when I started college at 18, but, as I said before, who cares? Mantra for life?
Do the creep.
I remember you talking about leaving school, and then choosing to study finance, back on our knot board. ?It sounded at the time like you were doing it only for the financial security. ?I'm so glad that you realized it wasn't for you and have chosen to do what you love. ?As long as you and your H can be flexible, I'm sure you'll be fine. ?
My H also stopped what he was doing, and has gone back to school for something he loves. ?It makes such a big difference in how he feels about himself, and how he thinks about his life. ?In the long run his happiness because of that is totally worth money being tight right now. ?
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