Tension of the opposites?

[moving_east]

I was a creative kid, and wanted have my profession in creative field - drawing, design.. and was pretty good at it.

Ended up being an Engineer as personal circumstances required me to be a bread earner as quickly as possible, and 'artists' at that time didn't have a very secure earning forecast. (And, may be I did not have guts to stick to my first choice either.)

Started in technical job, then did my own business in design, print and webdesign for about three years. Got an opportunity to move to HK/China in a technical job and been doing pretty ok so far.

But, still have a very strong tendency to move back to creative field...started photography to feed 'artist' in me. Still want to do more, and that may mean starting afresh in mid thirties in this economic environment.

Technical or creative ...known or unknown ..comfort of past or challenge of future..sticking to what I know or strive for what I like

Tension of the opposites?

I know its my life and I have to make the final decision, but would be interested to know your thoughts/advice/experiences. Thanks.

[chilicheese]

You sound just like my uncle did--except he tossed around ideas like yours in his 40s. You're never as old as you think you are, and it sounds like you have a plan B should plan A (pursuing your dreams as a creative type) fail.

[chandan]

Thanks.

How was his experience?

[chilicheese]

Thanks.

How was his experience?

He was pretty successful actually. He graduated art school (he focused on illustration), but found out later that art didn't pay very well so he did real estate instead. After being a realtor for a VERY long time, he decided, basically, to f*** it, and do what he really wanted. Now he's a freelance artist and doing pretty well.
What I glean from my uncle's story is that if you want to do something, it's possible. The only caveat to that rather nice sounding line is that you have to work very very hard in order to succeed.

[MovingIn07]

I knew a colleague when I was in NZ who felt much the same way - she was a really good analyst (computer spreadsheets/modelling) but she really wanted to become a photographer. So she jacked in her job, did a 2 year college course, and is now a sucessful photographer in Wellington.

So it can be done. But she 1) had a boyfriend with a good job who paid the bills while she was training/getting started and 2) was younger than you (late 20's). She also sometimes still subcontracts for us because consulting still pays better than photography!

Personally, I would see if you can morph what you do now into what you want to do rather than stop your life and make a u-turn ... I'm not very creative though so hard to say how!

On a practical level, if you want to make a u-turn, then plan for it ahead (say, 1-2 years); work really hard now and save up lots of money to support yourself and then go for it. Good luck.

[Football16]

Like others suggest you don't have to make it a "final decision" as you put it.

For as many success stories of those who just up and quit their profession and who become successful following their passion there are those who aren't as either they didn't have a plan, an opportunity or in some cases actual talent that others would pay them for.

As these posters say, look for ways to transition to what you believe is your passion and calling but do it in a planned way - nothing is final except taxes and death.

[Sk8Naner]

Yeah my girlfriend's boss was in IB for 4-5 years - saved up a bundle of cash and started her gallery :/ its doable - like others said just plan

[moving_east]

thanks all for sharing thoughts and experiences. I'll take 'final' out from the decision and it's time for planning.....