I already have a purpose and yes- it's what's kept me going until now. It's been my crutch in life. My purpose is to be creative. It isn't what's kept me alive though- that has been a feeling of obligation to not upset my loved ones.
Anyhow- no- it isn't enough (for me anyhow.) You can still fail at your purpose in life! I've had modest success and I've been lucky in some ways. I've also worked bloody hard. But- yeah, I've been fortunate enough to be paid to do what I love for a while now... It's likely coming to an end now though and honestly- that can be devastating.
Bottomline is: it's complicated- you don't just find something you love in life, pursue it and everyone just automatically loves what you do and pays you shit loads to do it.
Most jobs are highly sought after. Especially creative jobs because they are so few and far between. There are even fewer permanent jobs- so- you will likely have to be comfortable with being freelance- which means job insecurity, no sick pay, no pension.
As to whether you even get the job- that's down to talent- and there will be people out there better than you- no matter how hard you try. Plus experience- which is hard to get at the start. Everyone will expect you to work for free initially- which you might not be able to do. People working in the Arts are ENORMOUSLY exploited. Even after you have worked for a while- people won't want to pay what stuff is worth.
So- then- you have to make difficult decisions- will you lower you standards to get the job done faster? Will you use sub standard materials? What if that causes your work to fail though? What if you get a reputation for producing sub standard work? It's upsetting too. People don't work in this industry without taking pride in what they do. Most creative people HATE it when they have to compromise and churn out crap.
OR- will you have to supplement your work with another job? It probably won't be a good job though- not now- because now you don't have experience in anything else. You've poured all your time (and heart) into your 'dream' job.
Just juggling the finances is tough as a freelancer. It's not just your creative job you're doing- you're having to promote yourself to find work, properly quoting for things you've never done before, (which I'm crap at- you don't want to price yourself out of the market but you need to survive!) sourcing materials, liasing with clients. Then you need to have a bash at accountancy and fill in yearly tax returns. Some people just simply don't want to wear so many hats.
Plus- most jobs aren't 'dream' jobs at the end of the day. Most of the time- you have to make compromises. I don't drive and my confidence goes to pieces when I work with other people- so, that kind of further limits opportunities for me. You have to make judgements on just HOW much you will do or give up to pursue your passion- unless you're lucky enough to have picked something that is in demand and pays well. I've known friends give up relationships, the chance of having a family, friendships, properties- all to pursue their dream job in the Arts. I don't know how many really believe it's worth it in the end.
For me though- I'm just not good enough- and not really willing to get good enough at certain aspects of the job- mostly finances to make it work. Of course- the next best thing is to continue doing it as a hobby. Creative people are pretty obsessive though. Generally- when we squash ourselves into non creative wage slave jobs- we just kind of wither- to the point where we're so beaten down- we don't have the heart to create anymore.
Plus- it's debatable but I'd say artistic people are especially prone to melancholy/depression and suidal thoughts- and action! Loads of Artists kill themselves.
It's debatable really. I think it must be awful to feel you have no purpose in life. It has been my saving grace till now. Still- having a passion that you can't realise- for whatever reason can also be agonizing. So- they're both pretty shitty situations to be in!
