You CAN Do Both: 3 Helpful Tips on How to Balance Working a 9-5 While Pursuing Your Dreams.
I bet you’re probably giving me and this title the BIGGEST side eye right now, which is okay! But what if I told you that you can still pursue your dreams while working a 9-5?
For as long as I can remember, there’s been this idea that creatives couldn’t have a 9-5 while pursuing their dreams. We’ve been told that we could only choose one of the two: either work a 9-5 to keep the lights on and food in the fridge, or go all in for our dreams and starve. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told to “just move” to a big city like LA or NYC when I told friends and family that I wanted to pursue acting. But I couldn’t do that! What about my bills? What about my car and my apartment?
We’ve all heard of the “Starving Artist” who drives a substantial amount of distance to a major city, living in their car with $300 in their pocket until they get their big break. For some, this route has worked for them. For others, not so much, and they had to move back to their hometowns to work and save up. I’ve heard stories from both sides.
I chose to keep my 9-5, working while also performing and studying with local theatre companies. For a while, I felt guilty about working my 9-5. I felt like I was “cheating” on acting, especially when I took time to myself. See, we’re often told that we don’t need to take breaks to be successful. Who needs sleep? What is this thing called food? Who cares about your well-being?
Having that kind of mentality isn’t healthy. You SHOULD care about your well-being, and you should also do what’s best for you. If you’re like me, working a 9-5 while pursuing your dreams, I have a few tips to help you find balance:
1.) Always remember that this is YOUR dream.
This is the most important tip of all. Remembering this helps you to do what’s best for you. Sometimes we get caught up in trying to do things the way we see others do them, but that brings on unnecessary stress and causes us to compare ourselves to those people. When you find yourself comparing your journey to others, it’s not always a fun time. Remember that you are full of greatness, and you are on the right path. The pursuit of your dreams is unique in itself.
2.) Use your 9-5 to help finance your dreams!
If you’re working a 9-5, don’t feel bad! We all gotta eat, right? If you have a few coins to spare after paying your bills, create a budget to use to finance your dreams. Your current job doesn’t have to be a crutch, but rather a resource to help you achieve your dreams. In this economy, you NEED money to survive. Even if you have to start small, a start is a start.
3.) Use what you have!
When I started my YouTube channel, the first thought I had was: “I don’t have a camera. What am I going to do?!” I haven’t had a camera since college (aka a long time ago), and I couldn’t afford one. I began to look up videos on how to start a YouTube channel without a camera, and I found out that several YouTubers first used their phones to record. So that’s what I started doing. I downloaded the apps they suggested, and recorded/edited my first video on my phone! (If you want to know what apps I use for my videos, comment below.) And what a relief it was!
When it came to acting, I asked around to see where I could find work and take classes, right here in my hometown. With that, I was able to find some local theatre companies and acting coaches to work with, building up my skills and my resumé!
I advise that you do the same! And check out your local bookstores to find study materials, too. See who’s teaching classes in your field on the low. Not only will this help you stay within that budget I mentioned in the second tip, but this will also help you to not worry about what you don’t have (At the moment).
BONUS TIP: Make time for YOURSELF!
After you get off work and put in a few hours for your dreams, make sure you’re setting some time aside from yourself. As mentioned before, we’re told that not sleeping is the way to be successful. Well, what good is that if you’re not well rested or healthy? You won’t fall behind if you set some time aside for self care. Take a break. Relax. SLEEP. Your future needs a happy and healthy version of you.
There are plenty of tips on finding that balance between working and pursuing your dreams, but these 3 are definitely helpful. It’s important to know that it’s okay to have a job and still pursue your dreams, especially if you’re trying to get into a position where you can do what you love full time. Don’t ever feel like you can’t have time to do both, or that you need to be in a certain space to start your new career. What you do now will prepare you for your future.
Until next time, love bugs!
-Anyssa
