Financial Cushion / Level of Frustration = Price of Quitting

Having a “day job” – even one linked to the arts – is a deterrent and a distraction. I yearn for the day when I can focus all of my work energy into my art career. That day seems w-a-a-a-y off in the distance and my yearning is not patient.

If I had enough of a financial cushion I would quit my day job, put all my eggs in the art basket and see what I could make happen. I’ve done the math. To give myself the gift of a year focused on my artwork (assuming I was staying in Vancouver) I would need a minimum of $20,000.

I have noted with bittersweet amusement that this base financial cushion fluctuates on a sliding scale – the minimum amount being dependent on my level of frustration. It is very much like that old game show “Name That Tune”:

“I would Quit That Job if I had $20,000 in my account.”

“Well, Jim, I would Quit That Job with only $10,000.”

Lately I have been feeling I could Quit That Job for $5,000. Several folk have taken a leap of faith with much less than that. Maybe one day soon I will, too.