Creative Career Change: Is this My Time?

Dear Gina,

I have an opportunity to make a (creative) career change. I have been in administration and marketing for most of my career. I am not too far from retirement, but still want and need to work for several more years. I have an opportunity to get involved with an artist’s studio, leading classes, conducting workshops, and also doing the art that I love. I’m kinda scared. This would be a big change for me, and even though I love the work I would be doing I still feel intimidated by all I need to learn. I feel like I should be a real expert before I become a teacher. What would you do if you were in my place?

Signed,

Is This My Big Break?

Dear Is This My Big Break,

Go for it. 

You’ve put in your time in a structured, reasonable, safe work environment. Here’s an opportunity to explore new territory. Doing something you love. The people offering you this opportunity have seen your work and are confident you’re up to the job. Trust them.

Creating art is tricky. We put so much of ourselves into our efforts, and wonder if anybody will appreciate our work. Then, the funny thing is, when someone does, we push away the compliment and can’t believe it could be true. But it is. This person recognizes something in you, and wants to help bring it into the world. I say, if you can swing this from a financial standpoint, do it!

How Normal Life Becomes Creative Living

Here’s one way this happened for me. At our first U2 concert, just a few months after 9/11, my husband turned to me and said: “This isn’t a rock concert; this is a spiritual experience.” So moved, I wondered, “What can I do with this experience?” And the answer came: “Write about it.”

From that moment on, nurturing my creative life became a priority. Later, I spoke with a very wise friend about the concert. “I’m drawn to Bono, but not in a romantic sense,” I confessed, in the small voice of a shared secret. He replied, “What is awakened in him is awakening in you.” 

On a creative, spiritual, emotional, intuitive, however-you-want-to-describe-it level, the concert drew out the writer I had yet to express. Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience? There is a creative connection between you and this person who has affirmed your art and talent. Their offer arrives at the perfect time to bring your work to the world. And we need it!

Finding expression in the midst of fear

Our culture is drowning in mistrust and misinformation. This darkness breeds fear: fear of change, fear of the other, fear of our own unknowing. There is, however, a counterbalance – I’d say a greater, more powerful force – in beauty, artistic expression, and creativity.

This movement is blessed. Art stirs the “better angels of our nature” as Abraham Lincoln said. Beauty lifts us. Your creative efforts are not selfish, but a public service!

Fear can protect us from harm, but it can also immobilize us. Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic is all about “creative living beyond fear.” She suggests bringing fear along as a companion on the journey, but it doesn’t get to drive, read the map, fiddle with the radio, etc.  She writes:

“We head off together—me and creativity and fear side by side by side forever—advancing once more into the terrifying but marvelous terrain of unknown outcome.” 

This is creative courage.

Creative Courage

Creative courage is not fearlessness, but the choice to create alongside fear. It’s the willingness to sit with the unsteadiness and make something anyway.

You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to feel the pull. And based on your question, it sounds like you do feel the pull. The fact that this opportunity scares you? That’s actually a sign something real and meaningful is asking to come through. Fear shows up loudest at the threshold of the things that matter most.

It has been said that courage is fear that has said its prayers. We’ll never be free of fear, especially when on the verge of a big, bold step like yours. (Even small steps can feel big, too!) Trust your heart and talent and step into this new life, anyway.