My dad told me to forget about art school and get a real job. He was right, but it still stings.

When I was 18, I got accepted to a good art school in Chicago. I wanted to be an illustrator. My dad sat me down and said, 'You'll never make a living. You need a steady paycheck.' I listened, went into accounting, and yeah, I have a stable life now. But sometimes I pull out my old sketchbook and see the stuff I drew back then. I wonder what would have happened if I took that risk. Part of me thinks he saved me from a hard life, but another part feels like I gave up a piece of myself. Has anyone else followed 'good' advice that worked out, but left you wondering about the path you didn't take?

4 comments

4 Comments

nancyj113mo ago

Ever think about going back to it now?

pat_jenkins3mo ago

Honestly, I tried picking it back up last year. What helped was setting a stupid small goal, like just five minutes a day. Sticking with that tiny habit got me over the initial hump of feeling rusty.

hollyl253mo ago

Five minutes a day? That's all it took for you, @pat_jenkins? I'm honestly shocked that such a small amount of time made a real difference. I always figured you needed at least a solid half hour to get anything done.

rose_reed1mo ago

Does your dad also have opinions about what you should name your future pets, or was that just reserved for crushing your artistic dreams? @nancyj11, I bet your old sketchbook is just on your shelf judging you silently while you pay your electric bill. It's nice that some advice keeps you warm at night, even if it comes with a side of lifelong regret.