I love my job! Working from home is AWESOME! Maybe I’m still in the honeymoon phase, but I feel like I’m saving money on gas and eating lunches out, getting more household chores and cooking done (which saves us money on eating dinners out) saving commute time, and even getting more actual work done!
I was a hesitant to start working and taking sales appointments at the house, but its been great so far. The work area I have is shaded but outdoors, and even though Its been over 100 degrees pretty much all week, the slight breeze and the shade is DELIGHTFUL. I love working outside! I love the physical challenge of the work. I crawl into bed exhausted, sore, and satisfied pretty much every night, and I can see what I’ve accomplished for the day.
I know I would make more money working in sales (or just about any job) and sometimes when I have rude clients I fantasize about having a corporate career, wearing suits and dresses and heels everyday. I think I could do it, and I think I could be happy, and I think it would help us pay off our debt. Here’s the rub- and this is probably the worst audience to say this to- but I don’t think work has to be about making the maximum amount of money. I don’t really know, because I haven’t ever been in a very high paying job, but I have been influenced by so many people in my life that LOVE their jobs, regardless of how much income they make.
I know I’ve mentioned that my parents are teachers before, this is a prime example. They both are called to be teachers. Both of them could have made exponentially more money in other occupations, but they chose teaching because they were meant to teach. I’m so lucky to have been raised by these folks that are doing meaningful work that they love.
In the same way that they were both born to teach, I think I’m compelled to craft and paint and construct. Painting furniture quenches my desire to make things and it increases my self esteem.
When I see that I can make something beautiful, all the ugly things in the world float away. I don’t feel like I have to live up to someone else’s impossible standard. I feel GREAT. I can move furniture on my own, I can lift heavy things, I can be a competitive buyer and still be a nice person, and I can make pretty things people want to buy. When the voices in my head are telling me I’m not pretty, I haven’t accomplished anything, I’m not smart, I’m not skinny or ambitious or fun- that’s when I make something. It really helps.
So those are my entirely selfish reasons to paint. 🙂 On the other end of the spectrum, in a very small way, I feel like the things I create offer a unique option for people who want to support local artists and have handmade things in their homes.
Wanna see what I’ve been working on this week? Here they are!
Also, check out this Ted talk on how to find and do work you love: http://m.wimp.com/findwork/
I love every single one of those pieces and wished I knew how to paint like that with the rustic look. I have a little armoire in my garage that would look awesome in my living room if it was refinished like that!
Start with something small! You can do it 🙂
Gorgeous furniture! Kind of wish I lived by you and could buy one.
I’m a huge believer in doing what you love, feeling passionate about work, and being happy about what you do for 40+ hours a week. I also think it’s worth sacrificing money to be happier and to have a job that helps make the world a better place. HOWEVER, a necessary part of this vision is living within one’s means and living on less than one earns. I think it’s irresponsible to 1) pro-actively choose a profession that earns less money but then 2) choose to spend a ton on luxury items (such as hair treatments and home remodeling) and to live in credit card debt.
Please earn as little as you want, and please choose whatever career makes you happy. But, please also make spending and lifestyle choices that match your career choice.
1. We do not have credit card debt.
2. We live well within our means and have been since the first month of our marriage
3. Is remodeling is a luxury item? It can be expensive, but I don’t know if I’d put it up there with a designer handbag.
Remodeling is investing in the house that they bought so it’s not exactly a frivolous spending unless one remodels infinitely.
I’m so jealous of your creative talent. I keep telling myself that I should take a creative class in painting or writing just to squeeze out some creativity juices from my brain.
DO IT!!! You would not believe what’s hiding in there, tucked under everything else you have to do and think about. I’ve noticed that once I start making one thing, ten more ideas come along while I’m in the process. Lots of fun.
This is sort of a strange thing to say. You are in serious debt. Isn’t this the point of the blog? I think it is awesome that you are doing what you love, but you do send out mixed messages about the importance or centrality of getting out of debt.
Beautiful work, Emily! Love the teal!! I can relate to every bit of your post. I work from home as well making and selling handcrafted items. I took my business to the next level and I’m now focusing on teaching others. Since it’s sales, I have really great months and really miserable months, but I love what I’m doing and being able to work from home is priceless! Whenever I’m going through a dry spell with sales, I sometimes think about how much more I could be making if I’d just get a real job in the real world, but I know I wouldn’t have time for my passion anymore and the household chores would still be there too.
One of the biggest keys to success (and happiness) is following your passion and I love being my own boss, owning my own business and reaping the benefits of my own efforts. It’s actually more rewarding to me than a huge paycheck (though more money is always nice).
I still want to know what you make and where I can buy it! 😉 😉
Your work is beautiful and with all the options today of direct and online sales, not to mention blogs that are devoted to tutorials and sales of pieces such as yours and when these successfully build a following have advertising attached to them, you have plenty of outlets to increase your visibility and produce income from your passion.
We chose to have me leave my career in in accounting almost 22 years ago to allow one of us to be home for the family we desired. At the time my husband and I made the same so we literally cut our income in half. We had spent a year paying off expenses and building savings that would allow us to do this. We did not know at the time our family would be built through adoption and my ability to be home and to homeschool would prove a true blessing to us and our family. I initially left and spent two years pursuing my sales of my hand painted silks. It was pre-internet sales when direct sales through stores or art shows was the only way. I also found teaching my skills a viable outlet for income. Hold fast to your dream as you’re able and continue to move forward in the way that works for the two of you. Encourage yourself by looking at ways that others have pursued the same dream and succeeded. If this is the goal you two have set you CAN make it work!! All the best and keep up with creating your wonderful pieces!
THANK you SO MUCH for your advice and encouragement. I’m adding you to my blog roll! I can’t wait to read the whole thing, your story sounds really interesting!
Just curious, does Adam feel the same about his work?
Oh, great question. It makes me very happy to see Emily working in a job that is fulfilling. She has kinetic energy, and when she gets to move around and do physical activity, she comes alive. It’s amazing, if I ever want to REALLY know what’s going on in her head, we go on a walk, and just the movement makes her open right up.
I’m also very thankful that Austin has a culture that places a value on this type of work. It’s local, it’s functional, it’s art, it’s reclaimed, not to mention beautiful – so many things that the culture here values enough to pay for.
I agree with Emily that it’s not about making the maximum amount of money. I’ve learned that making a lot of money in work that drains you isn’t any good. I’ve learned that making less money doing work that fulfills and energizes you is worth the world.
So I support Emily’s choice. I wouldn’t let Emily tell me what kind of job to have and so I don’t think I can tell her what type of job to have, but I think this is a really great one. She’s very happy doing it.
I just think it’s important that we live within our means – part of the purpose of doing this blog and paying off our debt – and, never to lose sight of how fortunate we are to be able to make a living in a way that is fulfilling. We really are very blessed.
Adam, the question was are you as happy with *your* work?
Yeah, Emily pointed out last night that I answered the wrong question – oops! I misread “his” as “this”!
Anyway, I enjoy my work, but I’m not in my groove like Emily is. I am thinking about writing a post about this train of thought soon, so I’ll hold out any more detail until then.
Beautiful work!
I’m always saddened to hear that teaching in the US is so poorly paid that you do it in spite of the salary only because you really want to.
Here in Ontario (and it’s the same across Canada) teachers are envied for there stellar pension plan which is probably the best in the entire country. Starting salary is in the $41-44K range and tops out in the low 9$0K range depending on years of service and educational credentials. You can bank up to 200 sick days over your career and take a pay out at retirement (avg payout ~$45k) A teacher starting at 22 after graduating is elibible for retirement in their late 50s and then they collect that fabulous pension. Many go on to have second careers while collecting a pension that pays more than many people’s normal working salary. I toyed with becoming a teacher, but acknowledged that I just don’t have the patience required. There are 6 past/present teachers in my family so I’ve seen both the stress and workload and the fiancial windfall that goes with it. It’s a wonderful career for those with the right personality for it, but around here it certainly doesn’t mean you are making a financial sacrifice.
I am of the mind that if you do what you love, the money will follow. Doing what you love is fine, just don’t sell yourself short in the process.
& like others said, it may mean working harder to live within your means. So be it. My spouse and I are both very passionate about what we do. That has always been #1 for me. It’s been a tough sell for my spouse, who was raised to “make money, you don’t have to be happy.” So, he really struggles with it, but I think I have pulled him to the dark side. 😉 His path is more artistic and less clear. I get paid well in my field, so it evens out; we make a good team.
Whoops – didn’t mean to reply to this comment specifically. 😀
It’s ok! You have a unique point of view. I’m glad you are able to help your partner do what he is passionate about. It really means the world.
I agree, I think it’s so sad that teachers here make so little. I know how much work they do and how much thy invest in their students and it seems shameful to me that even excellent, experienced teachers have to struggle financially. I could go on and on about this! But I’ll spare you 🙂
Lucky for my parents, they DO have great pensions, healthcare, summers off and plenty of vacation time. They are able to run a side business that pays very well, and they’re doing great financially. My dad still works 4-5 jobs, but that might just be out of habit or compulsion. And weirdly, all the things he does for work are things he really cares about. Lucky them, right?
If you can do what you love, you should. Furniture painting and refinishing is my passion – I LOVE finding old, neglected pieces, and bringing them back to life – although it’s more of a hobby and I haven’t sold any pieces yet, I wouldn’t know how to price things! Unfortunately I have to stick to my day job right now to pay bills, but someday I hope to be able to make the switch! Good for you for making it work. And your work is lovely!
just look on craigslist in your area and see what similar items go for. or go to a fancy antique shop, and price your items 30-40% below the antique shops (their prices are high, you won’t have a huge showroom, etc.).
This is a small thing, but could you please say something right at the beginning of the post to indicate who is talking? Something like “Emily–” or “Adam says:” or “Hello from Emily,” or “Adam:” would be helpful. Sometimes it’s not clear which of you is writing until I scroll down to look at the comments. Thank you for allowing us to follow you on your journey. I’m enjoying the comments as much as your posts.
The author’s name for each post appears under the article title. For this post it says, “Recent Projects Posted by Emily on August 12, 2013 at 9:27 PM.” Hope that helps!
Joyce –
The post says who authored it right below the title – are you possibly reading the posts via some other form of delivery, like an RSS reader or something? If the author doesn’t come through in that format we may need to look into doing something like you suggested.
That must be the problem. At the top of my page I can only see: “Recent Projects” with no “Posted by Emily on August 12, 2013 at 9:27 PM.” That part doesn’t appear at all. I get email notifications when there’s a new post and I click on the link to get to your page. This is what the subject line says: “Blogging Away Debt via c1710d580v1.fastserv.com” Maybe the problem is with fastserv.com
Anyway, I look forward to all your posts, and if this little glitch can’t be solved I’ll still be checking in with the both of you. I wouldn’t miss it!
Thanks for keeping up with us! 🙂
Would just like to say I’m thoroughly enjoying the blog again! Emily, your work is amazing. You guys are just so down-to-earth – it’s refreshing.
Oh wow! That Is so sweet of you to say that! We are really blessed by all the encouragement and we’re loving writing for the blog!